Visiting voices on the Simpsons

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LARRY KING ROLE: The reader of a "books on tape" Bible. (King will appear as himself next season, moderating a mayoral debate.) THE EXPERIENCE: "It's like doing radio. You get to work in jeans and T-shirt."

BOB HOPE ROLE: Himself-he crowns Lisa "Junior Miss Springfield" with a melted tiara after the first winner is struck by lightning. THE EXPERIENCE: "Actually, they made me look fairly good. Well, anyway, they made me look younger. Dolores (his wife) thought I never looked better. I played myself, but I could have used a little more time to get into the role." FAVORITE CHARACTER: Bart. "He's such a role model."

LINDA RONDSTADT ROLE: Herself-she sings a jingle in a commercial for Barney's snow-removal service. THE EXPERIENCE: "I hadn't watched TV for years and years; now (since doing the show) I'm an incurable TV addict. All I knew (about the show) was that Republican rhetoric about it ruining the morals of our country. When I saw the tape I was blown away. It was this extremely humane sort of show that offered great encouragement to have kindness and compassion. So I did it. (Her caricature) was the country-rock edition superimposed over the Mexican-music edition of me. And I had this great upper lip." FAVORITE CHARACTER: Lisa, particularly in an episode in which she refuses to go to school. "I loved when she played the sax; it just spoke to me."

BROOKE SHIELDS ROLE: Herself-she cohosts an award show with Krusty the Clown. THE EXPERIENCE: "It's amazing how much like me (the caricature) was, with the big eyebrows and big hair. Other people said, 'You're so cool. I can't believe you're on that show.' It's the hip show to do." FAVORITE CHARACTER: "Maggie whenever she sucks on her little pacifier. I've always loved her persona."

ALBERT BROOKS ROLES: Jacques (a bowling instructor who tries to seduce Marge) and a used- car salesman. THE EXPERIENCE: "You look at (the characters) and say, 'Does it look like you? How's the chin?' But I'm healthy enough not to compare cartoon characters to me. Compared to Marge, I looked fine. I like the idea of Marge almost having an affair with a bowling instructor. Of course, that's spread to all cartoons now. Did you hear about Bambi? Having an affair with another animal. I can't talk about it." FAVORITE CHARACTER: "I don't play favorites with cartoons. I singled out Goofy a long time ago and I've been paying ever since.''

DR. JOYCE BROTHERS ROLE: A panelist on the show Smartline. THE EXPERIENCE: "You know, there are three sine qua nons in our culture: being in the New York Times crossword puzzle, being on the cover of Time, and being a guest voice on The Simpsons. I loved it! They made me with an overbite." FAVORITE CHARACTER: Marge. "She is bedrock calm and very loving. She is the glue that holds the family together."

WADE BOGGS ROLE: Himself-Mr. Burns recruits the then-Red Sox third baseman for his all-star softball team. THE EXPERIENCE: "I had a Simpsons party at my house the night it aired. My kids still walk by the (photos) of my cartoon and start laughing." FAVORITE CHARACTER: Bart. "He's the total nightmare kid for parents."