Oh, it’s ON. 20th Century Fox has announced a competition among all the Springfields in the U.S. (Did you know there are more than 30?). The burg that can prove it’s most like the fictional Springfield will host the Simpsons Movie premiere on July 26, one day before its official release.
So far, Springfield, Ill. has made the most convincing case to me: There’s a donut factory there, and we know that Homer really likes donuts. Fine, it also happens to be my home state. But still. Donuts.
This whole thing is pretty weird — Fox shipped out huge boxes of materials including yellow paint, a guidebook on how to draw Simpsons characters, a can of Buzz Cola, and items with "Kwik-E-Mart" emblazoned on them. Locals are supposed to submit a three- to five-minute video showcasing their municipality’s comic level of dysfunction. It’s a fun idea, but seems like a lot of work! Look at these people in Springfield, Mass. That one guy on the left doesn’t seem so into it. He’s like "Why do I have to deal with this box?"
You tell us: Which Springfield should win, assuming more than one of them actually completes a video?
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Springfield Ontario!
There was an article in the St Louis Post Dispatch a few months ago about the relative merits of Springfield MO and IL. The graphic was two Homers dressed to represent the states. The IL Homer was Abe Lincoln (beard, stovepipe hat, etc). The MO Homer was white (er…yellow) trash (camouflage hunting shirt, trucker hat from Bass Pro Shops). So Springfield, MO should win just to beat out Sprigfield, IL and make up for that quality use of photoshop.
Im all for springfield MA since its withing driving range of where i live ( just outside of boston)
at least that way i can try and make it to the premiere. should be a good time.
Springfield, IL — our governor looks like a little kid playing dress-up who wandered into the Capitol building.
Springfield, Illinois – my ex (from about 17 years ago) is a TV weatherman there. Even though I’m about 40 miles from Springfield, Massachusetts, I doubt if I could get tickets to the premiere.
Springfield, OR should get it. Besides the fact that it is within driving distance of my home, I think that it gets some brownie points due to the fact the creator was born in Oregon, and this Springfield does have a few Simpsons Springfield characteristics.
Springfield, OR should get it. Besides the fact that it is within driving distance of my home, I think that it gets some brownie points due to the fact the creator was born in Oregon, and this Springfield does have a few Simpsons Springfield characteristics.
Springfield IL all the way.. we definately have so much in common with the Simpsons that we have to win!
Lisa: Oh, no you didn’t. Springfield, IL sooo beats out Springfield, MO. Here’s my reasons:
1. An episode once mentioned a neighboring town of Mechanicsburg. IL has that.
2. “Simpsons” Springfield has a nuclear plant. Springfield, IL has one nearby.
3. The aforementioned doughnut factory.
4. Homer as Abe Lincoln is so wrong it’s almost right.
Springfield IL all the way!!!
Spingfield Illinois by far has the most similarities. Donut factory, we have one. Shelbyville, in the area. Does any other town have a donut factory or Shelbyville?
Springfield MA! I was born there! Trust me it doesn’t get more dysfunctional! It got a lot of attention a few years ago for a shooting at a baby shower. Don’t know if that makes it like the Simpsons though…
Springfield, MO, all the way. We have a federal prison, a semi-reclusive old man who owns everything in town, a school for gifted kids, a “Founders’ Park” downtown honoring the originators of the city, plenty of Flanders-like characters, and many other things they have in the “Simpsons’” Springfield. And Kelly: there’s a Shelbyville, Missouri– the neighboring town from the show is more important than a town “mentioned once.”
Ill-i-nois! Ill-i-nois! C’mon, what’s more yellow than corn?
Just saw Doug’s comment that IL has a Shelbyville. Ok, so we’re even on that one. Springfield, MO, is still the better place for “The Simpsons.” On the show, they once vacationed in Branson, MO, which is an hour from us. We have a well-known Lionel Hutz-like lawyer in town: his name is Brad Bradshaw and his commercials advertise that he’s a lawyer, doctor, and surgeon– if that’s not caricature-ready, I don’t know what is. We have a Troy McClure (washed up actor turned local personality) in former television “Bachelor” Aaron Buerge. I could go on….
Lol DK–that comment was spot on about Springfield, MO and is exactly why we should be the one to host the Simpsons’ premiere. JQH is seriously a carbon copy of Mr. Burns.
Springfield Oregon: Groening went to U of O! That’s here! Also, when you walk down the street in Portland (just up the freeway), you’ll see street names like Flanders, Lovejoy, Quimby…also, Jebediah Springfield = Eugene Skinner! Come on, people!
Living in Springfield MA, and with one of the writers of the show from West Springfield MA, I would hope that we would have a shot. But, since we don’t have a FOX affiliate in town, I don’t know if that will happen. And yes, that photo shows the attitude that the city is putting into it. I mean, the city is in such a mess, the state is managing all of its finances. Wait a minute, maybe that makes us a PERFECT fit for the Simpsons.
SPRINGFIELD, OREGON! We ARE the home of The Simpsons! Most of the show is based on names and places from Matt Groening’s life growing up in Oregon. It’s ours! D’OH!
Definitely Springfield, MA, for all the reasons Talking Moviezzz mentioned. And the fact that the Basketball Hall of Fame is, randomly, located there.
Springfield, MN would be funny, it’s so small that I don’t think it has a movie theatre. I’ve driven through Sprinfield, IL and it looks exactly like the TV version (Powerplant and all).
It’s not a Springfield but, a simpson house was made in Las Vegas. They used all of the right colors and “furniture” and then auctioned it off.
I keep seeing “we have a donut factory” as being part of the argument for Springfield, IL… I know Homer enjoys donuts, but is there a donut factory in The Simpsons’ Springfield? I can’t remember.
Oh, you’re right, Talking Moviezzz! The writer that wrote the episode where Bart shoplifted the videogame based that episode on his own experience shoplifting from Child World in Springfield MA.
Also Dr. Seuss? Remember “Last Exit to Springfield” (EW’s and my pick for Best Episode ever by the way!) where they draw Mr. Burns like the Grinch?? There we go!
Also the Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield MA because basketball was invented there. I am sure we can relate that somehow.
Oh, you’re right, Talking Moviezzz! The writer that wrote the episode where Bart shoplifted the videogame based that episode on his own experience shoplifting from Child World in Springfield MA.
Also Dr. Seuss? Remember “Last Exit to Springfield” (EW’s and my pick for Best Episode ever by the way!) where they draw Mr. Burns like the Grinch?? There we go!
Also the Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield MA because basketball was invented there. I am sure we can relate that somehow.
Springfield, IL also has a nuclear power plant nearby, and the city of Chicago’s a few hours away. It would also explain how an entire school could be moved ANYWHERE from Missouri.
Plus, Flanders’ accent sounds very midwestern doesnt it?
I don’t care who wins the contest, so long as that movie is the shizzle dizzle!
Springfield, Ohio.
It’s the closest Springfield for this “Northern Kentucky Family”
Springfield,IL – We will get it. We have a donut factory, a power plant…the guy who runs it looks like Mr. Burns, our High School looks just like the one on the Simpsons, we have a news guy that looks like Kent Brockman.
In response to Annie’s question about whether or not all Springfield’s will get in on the fun, I’d argue that the local Chambers of commerce would be NUTS not to. After all, the winner gets to premiere one of the most highly anticipated movies of all time (okay, maybe not that far, but still pretty anticipated) and would get world fame. That means more tourism and a potential annual film festival, featuring “Football in the groin”.
Aaah! My groin!
Lots of people agree that the midwestern accent is most similar to that which is heard on American tv. Boston? Not so much. You can’t get more midwestern than Illinois. (BTW, the s at the end is silent).
To khrystyne: only other person I ever saw who spelled her name like yours was Khrystyne Haje, the pretty redhead from “Head of the Class.” What are the odds?