The show I've loved for more than half my years on this planet will air its 350th episode tomorrow night. The impact "The Simpsons" has had on my life is immeasurable. It has directly influenced the way I live, the way I think and the way I raise my children. The only DVDs I collect are seasons of "The Simpsons", I maintain a popular page dedicated to the words and wisdom of Homer Simpson and I recollect a slice of this stealth art in everything I observe, encounter and absorb. This television show and Maple Leaf hockey are the two loves of my life outside of my family. You can't understate the place these yellow characters from Springfield, USA inhabit in my heart.

Every time "The Simpsons" reaches a milestone of this nature, I read the same articles praising the show for its satiric humour and pointing out the obvious fact it's not as good as it once was. In January I wrote Why I Still Watch which explains why I'm still in front of the tv every Sunday at 20:00 without failure. "The Simpsons" in season 16 isn't as good as "The Simpsons" circa season six but it's still a pleasure to watch and one of the funniest programs on TV.

In Homer I trust, today more than ever. I have 350 samples validating this faith.

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Speaking of same sex marriages, there's one taking place in Springfield this Sunday and we're all invited. This is the much anticipated episode of The Simpsons where a character comes out of the closet and gets married.

Over 3,000 bets have been placed on who's coming out and here are the favourites.

1. Patti
2. Smithers
3. Milhouse
4. Lenny
5. Selma

I originally thought it would be Patti too but now I'm thinking they might throw us a curve. Ned coming out would make me laugh the hardest. Cross your fingers.

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"The Simpsons" was seen by it's biggest audience in 11 years Sunday night, but I taped it and watched it last night. In the episode, Comic Book Guy posts Homer's "Big Ass Baryshnikov" dance on his website, www.dorks-gone-wild.com. Homer becomes famous as people all over the world visit the site to watch this video.

The cool thing is, www.dorks-gone-wild.com actually exists. Visit the page and you'll see the page shown on Sunday night's episode. You can even view "Big Ass Baryshnikov", download "Big Ass Baryshnikov" wallpaper or send a "Big Ass Baryshnikov" e-card. Very cool!

Speaking of Comic Book Guy, it's revealed in this episode that his real name is Jeff Albertson. Add that to your Simpsons trivia stockpile.

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As previously declared, I won't miss a new episode of "The Simpsons". I've been watching for half my life and I'll continue watching until Matt Groening pulls the plug.

Here we are in season sixteen and I can see the ratings slipping. I'm frequently told that "The Simpsons" is no longer funny and I should have stopped watching years ago. I was watching last night and would be the first to suggest it wasn't a particularly strong episode. Still, I watch and will continue to watch, and here's why.

Although past it's prime and not nearly as consistent as it was throughout its first ten seasons, a new episode of "The Simpsons" continues to provide that one scene, line or sequence that causes me to laugh out loud. Even yesterday there were moments that I'm still recalling, still thinking about with a smile on my face. When I tune in on Sunday nights, I know I'm not in store for an episode from season four or five. I'm a realist. One brilliant send-up in an episode of "The Simpsons" in season sixteen provides me with enough joy to carry me through a typical week. Sometimes I'm witness to an uneven episode like last night's "Mommie Beerest" and sometimes I'm rewarded with a gem like "Midnight Rx".

We're fast approaching episode #350 and I'm not going anywhere. "The Simpsons" in season 16 isn't as good as "The Simpsons" circa season six but it's still a pleasure to watch and one of the funniest programs on TV. In Homer I trust.

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I'm worried. My friends from Springfield, USA have been missing for weeks now. I haven't seen a new episode of "The Simpsons" since December 12th, 2004.

By my count, we've only seen five new episodes this season and it's already the middle of January. This is most unusual and I'm concerned. The folks at Fox had better not be dicking with my show. At least they're promising a new episode this Sunday with plenty of CanCon. When Grampa is faced with high prescription costs, he and Homer have the solution: smuggle it in from Canada with a little help from Apu, Ned, and some fake Canadian health care IDs.

Now that's what I'm talkin' about. That's exactly what I'm talkin' about.

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In addition to the Queen's traditional address to the nation, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom aired an exclusive animated piece for English viewers.

If you're a diehard fan like me, you'll want to see this 2:40 of original, Brit-centric Simpsons gold. Download it here. Like I did earlier in the day, Homer even asked the audience what the heck Boxing Day was all about. Enjoy.

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My favourite television characters

1. Homer Jay Simpson (The Simpsons)
2. Tony Soprano (The Sopranos)
3. Ryan O'Reily (Oz)
4. George Costanza (Seinfeld)
5. Mike Logan (Law & Order)

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A rough release date for The Simpsons movie has come to light. Look for the most anticipated movie of my lifetime to hit theatres in 2008. "The biggest thing is you don't want to do a movie that's not reflective of the quality of the show," executive Producer Al Jean told Entertainment Weekly. "You don't want the quality of the show to slip because you're doing the movie. So we're taking a little time."

James will be six years old by then, an ideal movie-going companion. Michelle will only be turning four and who's to say she'll even be a fan...it's still too early to tell. I'll be turning 34 and celebrating twenty years of The Simpsons. I can't wait.

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It will be nice to have my reliable friends from Springfield back. Sunday is the annual "Treehouse of Horror" episode as The Simpsons begin their sixteenth season. I've been a devoted fan for all sixteen, more than half of my time on God's green Earth.

Entertainment Weekly has a good article about what's in store for The Simpsons this season. They run down the guest stars and topical storylines, including an episode where Grandpa Simpson has trouble affording prescription medicine, so he and Homer smuggle it out of Canada. You can also watch a preview clip for "Treehouse of Horror XV".

It's important that we don't take this series for granted. It's brought us all such joy for so long and one day it will be gone. I don't even want to think about it.

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As previously discussed, the fifth season of The Simpsons will hit store shelves on December 21. Fellow fans will be interested in seeing the cover art for this installment.

Check it out here.

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