
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 28, 1990                   TAG: 9004280463
SECTION: SPECTATOR                    PAGE: 2   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: Los Angeles Daily News
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`SIMPSONS' STUFF POPULAR

"The Simpsons" T-shirts featuring characters from Fox Broadcasting's hip, hit animated series - are being grabbed up at a rapid clip, according to Fox licensing and merchandising executive Al Ovadia.

That's not all "The Simpsons" merchandise that's filling stores across the country. Expect to see more than 200 "Simpsons" products between now and Christmas, including bed linens, school supplies, towels, tote bags, dolls, shoes, watches, balloons, Lycra bodywear, and gum ball machines. There's even a talking toothbrush in the works with the voice of Bart Simpson ("Ooh . . . Look at that cavity. Better floss!"). And "Simpsons" pinball and Nintendo games for early 1991.

Creator Matt Groening has approval on all merchandising deals, according to Ovadia, who adds, "We're treating this property with kid gloves. It's a teen and adult property, which means it has much more potential for longevity than a children's property. This market is a lot less fickle."

Meanwhile, Fox is looking into corporate tie-ins involving the Simpsons, and foreign TV syndication deals are pending.

Groening says that there's even been some "banter" about a feature film starring his characters, but so far, nothing's set.

by CNB