Simpsons' writer and executive producer Al Jean confirmed in a recent interview with the entertainment website IGN.com that Thomas Pynchon will indeed play himself on a show in the new 15th season, which begins next month. In the episode in question, a novel by blue-coiffed homemaker Marge Simpson wins endorsements from Pynchon and airport-novel writer Tom Clancy, among others.

According to Al Jean, the cartoon version of Pynchon will be wearing a paper bag over his head."