Politicians (and Homer Simpson), step aside. The crisis in the Middle East is about to be solved by Comedy Central. Despite the failure of Albert Brooks to find humor in the Muslim world (or even in his own film), Reuters reports that MTV Networks International is launching Comedy Central Studios Arabia.

So forget about love: all we need is jokes. And if you think Arabs and Muslims don't like to laugh, guess again. There is "a significant appetite for local comedy content in the Middle East," according to MTVNI's executive vice president of emerging markets, Bhavneet Singh. More after the jump.

Above, from last year's "Simpsons" "Treehouse of Horror" special, the Grand Pumpkin terrorizes Springfield after learning what humans have done to its kind. It suggests that when pumpkins act like humans, it's always hilarious. But that theory can't be considered proof unless it happens again. That's the way science works.

Thankfully, today Videogum has found concrete evidence that proves that anthropomorphized pumpkins are always funny. It also proves that KXVO, the CW affiliate in Omaha, Nebraska, really likes to party. If I say anything else, it will ruin what will be the best and funniest video you'll watch today. Hit "continue reading" to see it.

It was one thing when Playboy announced that animated American Marge Simpson would be its cover girl for November 2009. Now that some intrepid soul at Oh No They Didn't has posted the shots from the cover story, the strangeness of this entire enterprise is impossible to ignore. (The NSFW scans are here, if you're in the mood to gross yourself out.)

On the other hand, maybe I'm just being a prude. It's not like we haven't seen Springfield residents naked on "The Simpsons" in the past. Above, Marge indulged in a dozy fantasy of the Garden of Eden that's comparatively tame -- but after the jump are some moments of animated nudity.

In the movie business, freedom's just another word for lighting a stick of dynamite and then trying to figure out where to put it -- as Homer effectively illustrates in the above video. Who wasn't excited for "The Simpsons Movie"...and who wasn't also disappointed in how it turned out? Most "Simpsons" fans consider it a long version of a mediocre episode; I think that's being generous. To me, it squarely sits within that dubious realm of entertainment purgatory occupied by highly anticipated movies that don't live up to their promise, but aren't terrible enough to destroy their legacy. Aside from a handful of grumblings, Matt Groening and crew have maintained a fairly honest -- if not upbeat -- outlook on the experience of making the movie. Now comes word (via Variety) that a second movie is off the table:

"It took 18 years to get around to doing the movie," Groening said. "We got very frustrated. We thought it would take two years but it ended up taking four. Some day maybe we'll do another one -- but don't hold your breath."

Sure. But if the first movie were a bigger hit -- if they had pulled it off to greater reception -- you better believe they'd be rolling on the second. Groening is one of the smartest people in the business, and sometimes that's as much about knowing what you're not good at as what you are.

"The Simpsons" is set to receive a very prestigious accolade: the long-running sitcom will be feted this December at the Paley Center's annual gala in Los Angeles.

But after 20 years on the air, such honors risk becoming old hat. Despite his bumbling reputation, Homer Simpson has racked up plenty of achievements and awards. Above, the local paper recognizes his charity work; after the jump, more of Homer's most triumphant moments.

While Seth Rogen, Hollywood's favorite paunch-tastic everyman, was adorably humble about his role in the 21st season premiere of "The Simpsons," I'm giving him full credit for the episode's hilariousness. The actor co-wrote the episode, titled "Homer the Whopper," in which Homer is cast in a movie about a normal-looking guy with superpowers. Despite the screenwriter's demand that the lead character have a gut and other "everyman" characteristics, the filmmakers enlist a trainer named Lyle McCarthy to whip Homer into shape (see clip, above). Rogen provided the voice for the trainer (at one point you can detect his Canadian "I'm soorry"), who teaches Homer how to hit the gym and keep from eating his feelings. When Lyle ditches Homer for Turtle in the middle of filming, Homer quickly re-gains the weight via cheese cubes.

Of course, the episode is packed with the usual pop-culture cleverness, my favorite of which involves the screenwriter adopting a Cambodian child and naming him Prius. Best of all, of course, is the tongue-in-cheek nature of the premise, which obviously refers to Rogen's own recent slimdown (Turtle's, too). See the full episode, after the jump.

New York magazine's Emily Nussbaum has been checking out an advance copy of John Ortved's oral history of "The Simpsons," and it sounds pretty fascinating. One tidbit she gleaned from her reading: the real-life guy who inspired Waylon Smithers!

Apparently, the writers based this iconic character on James Brooks's right-hand man, Richard Sakai. Here's Nussbaum quoting Ortved:

"The most complimentary adjective I have heard to describe Sakai is 'devoted.' Sakia is generally described as 'crazy,' though one interview subject called him 'smart.' Nearly everyone I spoke to referred to him as Jim Brooks's 'henchman' or 'hatchet man,' and more generously as 'Jim's id.' He was referred to alternately as 'Lurch' (from 'The Addams Family'), 'Darth Vader,' and 'a bad person.' He was also described to me as 'not human,' a screamer, and 'psychotic.' One thing is certain: Sakai believed in Jim Brooks more than anyone else, and from the time he was a production assistant on 'Taxi,' he devoted himself completely to his boss...

"Later 'Simpsons' writers would model the behavior of the sycophantic Wayland [sic] Smithers -- with his undying adulation of his boss, Mr. Burns -- on Sakai, one of the most important figures in 'The Simpsons' history."

According to the Simpsons Wiki, Sakai has been animated as himself on the show a number of times, so the revelation that Smithers is also a version of him must make him feel doubly honored. Right?

Catering to the "Maaaaaatlock!" demographic?

With the young people busy Twitterbooking and Faceblogging and YouSexing and whatnot, who's left to watch TV? Old folks, of course.

Variety posted a long article last night concerning a recent study's finding that the median age of network TV watchers is 51. That's eight years older than it was ten years ago.

Now, that's just ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. Cable channels like TNT and USA are either holding steady, or skewing younger. Hey, traditional broadcast networks: I think you just got your "burn notice"!

And some network shows still attract dumb youth: "Family Guy" has a median age of 29.

The study's least surprising finding? Cranky oldsters are drawn to Fox News, which has a median age of 65. The sponsor-strapped Glenn Beck might think about reaching out to the Hoveround people.

It's been brutally hot here in New York for the past few days, which means that everyone on the street's a sweaty, surly mess...except for the ice cream men, of course (like the ones in Springfield, above). But Mr. Softee's moment in the sun (pun!), may be short, because (soon-to-be) former New York Times food critic Frank Bruni turned his critical eye on the Choco Taco. And guess what? He was disappointed!

Bruni's set to appear on ABC's "Nightline" tomorrow night and, in the preview clip after the jump, gives a thorough (and funny) review of the Klondike Choco Taco, because "food that rhymes is always better than food that doesn't." Let's hope that the "Top Chef" producers are watching, because now that Bruni's shed his critical anonymity, he'd make a great Toby Young replacement.

Did you know that after just ten days on a high-fat diet (one rich in donuts and Duff beer, for example), subjects experience short-term memory loss and reduced ability to exercise? That's what a recent study suggests.

Finally, some scientific validiation for the many Americans suffering from Homer Simpson Syndrome. Now we just need to organize a benefit race. Or at least watch one.