Simpsons reveals The Hobbit 'couch gag'

Following on from a recent 'couch gag' directed by Guillermo Del Toro, for their Halloween 'Treehouse of Horror' episode, the creators of 'The Simpsons' have now taken on Tolkien.

Well, Peter Jackson...

[Guillermo Del Toro still hopes to make At the Mountains of Madness]

In an extended intro to this week's episode, the familiar yellow family are rather brilliantly transformed into characters from 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'.

Following a map to 'comfy couch', the family embark on an arduous journey.

[Hank Azaria acts out favourite Simpsons characters]

Marge makes for a gangly Gandalf, Homer is an elaborately bearded dwarf, and Bart, Lisa and Maggie innocent Hobbits.

Meanwhile, Lenny, Carl and Barney are depicted as the trolls, who turn to stone once the sun rises.

Particularly inspired is Moe emerging from a cave to play Smeagol.

But then there's Springfield's most famous money-hoarder Monty Burns as Smaug himself, sitting atop a pile of gold.

There are all the grand vistas, and a few classy visual gags too.

The episode, otherwise un-Hobbit related and called '4 Regrettings and a Funeral', airs this Sunday in the US.

Watch the trailer for the real 'Hobbit' below...