Who said that?

It is a tribute to "The Simpsons" that so many celebrities have taken roles on the show. We're talking superstars here, not the type you'd associate with an irreverent kids' show, which goes to show "The Simpsons" isn't simply an irreverent kids' show.

© Twentieth Century Fox Pictures
Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce played the dysfunctional
brothers Sideshow Bob, right, and Cecil Terwillager.

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Among those who've played themselves: Paul McCartney and his late wife Linda, Aerosmith, Joe Frazier, Joe Namath, Bob Hope, Ken Griffey Jr., Magic Johnson, Jay Leno, Bette Midler, James Brown, U2, Sting, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ringo Starr, Elizabeth Taylor and the Smashing Pumpkins.

© Twentieth Century Fox Pictures
James Brown played himself performing
at the Do What You Feel Festival.

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Kathleen Turner played the creator of Malibu Stacey, the Simpsons' dig at Barbie.

Oscar-winner Helen Hunt appeared this season as the love interest of bartender Moe, who is played by Hunt's real-life beau, Hank Azaria.

Playing a noted recurring role is Kelsey Grammer, TV's "Frasier," who keeps coming back as the insane, murderous Sideshow Bob. Grammer's TV brother, David Hyde Pierce, did a turn as Bob's brother, Cecil Terwillager.

Always talking

The busiest vocal chords on "The Simpsons" belong to Harry Shearer. Shearer does the voices of Montgomery Burns, his lackey Smithers, Principal Skinner, Otto the bus driver, Reverend Lovejoy, Ned Flanders, newsman Kent Brockman, town founder Jebediah Springfield, the doctors Monroe and Hibbert, and many others.

Chalkboard wisdom, by Bart

More inane Simpsons trivia, courtesy of the publicity department at Twentieth Century Fox. Here are some of things Bart has written on the chalkboard during the opening of most episodes.

They are in chronological order, but this is by no means a complete list:

I will not instigate revolution.

I did not see Elvis.

They are laughing at me, not with me.

I will not Xerox my butt.

Tar is not a plaything.

I will not encourage others to fly.

I will not sell land in Florida.

I am not a dentist.

I will not fake rabies.

Underwear should be worn on the inside.

I will not aim for the head.

I will not barf unles I'm sick.

I saw nothing unusual in the teachers' lounge.

I will not spin the turtle.

I will not fake seizures.

My name is not "Dr. Death."

Goldfish don't bounce.

Mud is not one of the four food groups.

No one is interested in my underpants.

I will return the seeing-eye dogs.

I do not have diplomatic immunity.

I am not delightfully saucy.

Organ transplants are best left to the professionals.

The pledge of allegiance does not end with "Hail, Satan."

Beans are neither fruit nor musical.

I am not the reincarnation of Sammy Davis Jr.

I will not send lard through the mail.

No one wants to hear from my armpits.

I am not certified to remove asbestos.

The truth is not out there.

There was no Roman god named "Fartacus."

Simpsons images © Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.