He's no John Hume, but tomorrow night Homer Simpson joins Bono on stage for a spot of animated electioneering.
In the 200th episode of the cartoon The Simpsons (Sky 1, 6.30 p.m. on Sunday), Homer takes a tip from the U2 frontman's recent efforts for the Yes vote in the North.
Seeking election as chief garbageman, Homer sneaks on stage during U2's Popmart tour in an attempt to capture the youth vote. Midway through his campaign rhetoric he is hauled away by burly security guards.
The episode, which also stars actor Steve Martin, was first mooted by the creators of The Simpsons last year. They wrote Trash of the Titans before knowing whether members of U2 would participate.
The band subsequently revealed that they were big fans of the show. U2 guitarist Edge declared it "one of the best things on TV".
"In fact, it's the only thing worth watching on TV at the moment. We've been fans for a long time," he said.
Bono told a reporter: "People like you have reduced us to cartoons before we ever got involved with The Simpsons. I'm here to kiss Homer Simpson's bottom."
The Simpsons is the longest running, prime-time animated series in television history.
Revolving around the Simpson family of Springfield, it spawned a whole crop of politically-aware, socially savvy cartoon series.
It is shown on TV networks around the world, including BBC2, Network 2 and Sky 1.
Created by cartoonist Matt Groening, it began as a series of 30-second spots for The Tracy Ullman Show.
U2 are in illustrious company with their Simpsons cameo. Among the famous names and faces featured in the eight years of the series have been Michael Jackson, Paul and Linda McCartney, Julia Roberts, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Interviewed recently, Simpsons' executive producer explained why he chose the U2 episode as the 200th.
"I thought it had all the elements of what The Simpsons does best, corporate satire, political satire, a production number, a great story with Homer and the family involved. It seemed to represent a lot of what we do."