'Simpsons' doing 3D documentary on ice?

Not exactly. To cap its 20th anniversary, Fox will air a documentary special on "The Simpsons" produced and directed by Morgan Spurlock.

Titled "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice," the outing will air Jan. 14.

According to the announcement, Spurlock "will examine the cultural phenomenon of 'The Simpsons' in his distinctive and innovative style. The special will document how the world sees 'The Simpsons' and how the Simpson family has seen the world for two decades." Huh.

“When they first called me about this, I thought it was a prank and I hung up,” said Spurlock, the documentary filmmaker of "Super Size Me" and FX's "30 Days." "And then my agent called back and said, ‘No, no, this is for real,’ at which point I fainted. Then when I woke up, I called everyone I knew because it was the coolest thing I could ever get to do in my career.”

The project was announced in the Most Confusing. Press Release. Ever. The release announced "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice," went on for awhile with quotes and stuff and several  repeat mentions of the "3-D on Ice" stuff, and then at bottom added, under a note about art availability, "EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Please note the special is neither in 3-D nor on ice." So two of the four aspects -- Spurlock and documentary -- are true. 

Great episode ideal, funny title. And too bad the show isn't doing a 3D episode for real.

Here's the official release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         
Monday, July 13, 2009                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
FILMMAKER MORGAN SPURLOCK TO PRODUCE AND DIRECT “The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on ICE” AIRING THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, ON FOX
 
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me,” “30 Days”) is set to produce and direct The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice airing Thursday, January 14 on FOX. The documentary special will be the momentous conclusion to the “Best. 20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global celebration of THE SIMPSONS that launched in January 2009 and culminates on the 20th anniversary of the series’ debut.
 
In The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice, Spurlock will examine the cultural phenomenon of THE SIMPSONS in his distinctive and innovative style. The special will document how the world sees THE SIMPSONS and how the Simpson family has seen the world for two decades.
 
“When they first called me about this, I thought it was a prank and I hung up,” said Spurlock. “And then my agent called back and said, ‘No, no, this is for real,’ at which point I fainted. Then when I woke up, I called everyone I knew because it was the coolest thing I could ever get to do in my career.”
 
Morgan Spurlock has built a career that spans film, television and web programming. His first feature-length documentary, “Super Size Me,” won the Documentary Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 and was nominated for an Academy Award the following year. In 2005, Spurlock formed his Manhattan-based film, television and web production company, Warrior Poets, which is devoted to making socially significant and simultaneously entertaining work. Warrior Poets has produced the feature documentaries “The Third Wave,” “What Would Jesus Buy?” and “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?”

Now the longest-running comedy in television history, THE SIMPSONS immediately struck a chord with viewers across the country as it poked fun at itself and everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and the family members have become television icons.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.

[EDITOR’S NOTE 1: For artwork and more information on The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special in 3-D on Ice, please visit foxflash

[EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Please note the special is neither in 3-D nor on ice.]