Die Oregon, Die
April 10, 2012 5:01 PM Subscribe
DRAMATIC AUDIBLE GASP
posted by elizardbits at 5:04 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by elizardbits at 5:04 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
I estimate this will get about three people to remember that "Oh, hey, The Simpsons is a thing that still exists!"
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:05 PM on April 10, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:05 PM on April 10, 2012 [8 favorites]
Worst reveal ever.
posted by box at 5:06 PM on April 10, 2012 [14 favorites]
posted by box at 5:06 PM on April 10, 2012 [14 favorites]
I knew two guys from springfield, oregon, Matt & Sean. Nice fellows, both of them, a bit on the cruncy side, but cool nonetheless.
posted by jonmc at 5:06 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by jonmc at 5:06 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Then why does Homer's driver's license say that he lives in "Springfield, NT"?
posted by Flunkie at 5:06 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Flunkie at 5:06 PM on April 10, 2012
Was going to say what Burhanistan said. This is just the inspiration for the name, not the in-show location, which remains deliberately nonsensical.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 5:07 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 5:07 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Northern Kentucky? But 'Behind the Laughter' is non-canonical!
posted by box at 5:10 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by box at 5:10 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
In episode BABF19, the narrator clearly states that they are a Northern Kentucky family. I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort sort of a [snort] magic teleporting city? Boy, I really hope Matt Groening gets fired for this blunder.
posted by griphus at 5:10 PM on April 10, 2012 [39 favorites]
posted by griphus at 5:10 PM on April 10, 2012 [39 favorites]
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia producers have now revealed that the show is set in Jordan.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 5:10 PM on April 10, 2012 [12 favorites]
posted by furiousxgeorge at 5:10 PM on April 10, 2012 [12 favorites]
Oh, fuck this. I got a speeding ticket in Springfield, Oregon. Was on Interstate 5 and the city police ticketed me in their ongoing "Let's Screw the Californian Because He Won't Be Here to Fight the Ticket and We Need to Pay for the Aquatics Center Somehow" Program.
I hate that town. Hate it, hate it, hate it. Burn, Springfield. Burn.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:12 PM on April 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
I hate that town. Hate it, hate it, hate it. Burn, Springfield. Burn.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:12 PM on April 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
what are we to believe, that this is some sort sort of a [snort] magic teleporting city?
Well, that worked for the island from LOST.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:13 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Well, that worked for the island from LOST.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:13 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Googling 'Shelbyville Oregon' leads to speculation that Eugene, OR "is" Shelbyville. Oddly enough, the Simpsons rerun this afternoon had a Eugene gag.
Sadly enough, it was a 15th season episode, so it wasn't a particularly funny gag.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:14 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Sadly enough, it was a 15th season episode, so it wasn't a particularly funny gag.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:14 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Given Groening's lifelong association with the Pacific Northwest, it's not exactly a surprise.
I keep hoping he gets to do something with Life in Hell. Maybe a tie-in with Ernie Pook, on television. No, that would suck.
posted by Nelson at 5:14 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
I keep hoping he gets to do something with Life in Hell. Maybe a tie-in with Ernie Pook, on television. No, that would suck.
posted by Nelson at 5:14 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Oh, fuck this. I got a speeding ticket in Springfield, Oregon. Was on Interstate 5 and the city police ticketed me in their ongoing "Let's Screw the Californian Because He Won't Be Here to Fight the Ticket and We Need to Pay for the Aquatics Center Somehow" Program.
Maybe you should stay in California, Californian.
/obligatory Oregonian nonsense
posted by curious nu at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [13 favorites]
Maybe you should stay in California, Californian.
/obligatory Oregonian nonsense
posted by curious nu at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [13 favorites]
wow this is so shocking even though matt groening is from oregon and its always been completely obvious that the simpsons is inspired by his family
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
I can't even read the article. All I get is a site that looks like it was made around the same time as the Simpsons, with only headlines, no content, even after turning scripting on for a bunch of stuff. Grrr.
posted by Malor at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Malor at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012
I thought they lived in Springfield, Oh, hi Maude!
posted by byanyothername at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by byanyothername at 5:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
Man, I hate to think of it this way, but Life in Hell really went downhill when Groening's life stopped being shitty. The later books were just ranting about the government and cute things his kids said.
posted by griphus at 5:16 PM on April 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by griphus at 5:16 PM on April 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
Collection of many (often conflicting) clues and assertions as to the location of the show, from the show
posted by Flunkie at 5:16 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Flunkie at 5:16 PM on April 10, 2012
Oh, man, I remember that show! I remember all the clever, subtle little gags they'd slip in here and there. Some real laugh-out-loud gold, too.
It's too bad they canceled it after season seven. I wonder to what heights of brilliance it might have climbed if it was still on today.
posted by Gator at 5:17 PM on April 10, 2012 [19 favorites]
It's too bad they canceled it after season seven. I wonder to what heights of brilliance it might have climbed if it was still on today.
posted by Gator at 5:17 PM on April 10, 2012 [19 favorites]
Then why does Homer's driver's license say that he lives in "Springfield, NT"?
I think it stands for the fictional state, North Tacoma
posted by bitteroldman at 5:17 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
I think it stands for the fictional state, North Tacoma
posted by bitteroldman at 5:17 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Maybe you should stay in California, Californian.
How's that Aquatics Center working out for you? Nice, huh? Pretty swanky? I hope you fucking drown.
Just kidding.
No I'm not.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:17 PM on April 10, 2012 [20 favorites]
How's that Aquatics Center working out for you? Nice, huh? Pretty swanky? I hope you fucking drown.
Just kidding.
No I'm not.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 5:17 PM on April 10, 2012 [20 favorites]
I happen to know the guy Comic Book Guy is actually based on.
He was very active in the jazz scene in Portland in the 80s/90s. He's not fat, but he is huge, dude is like 6'6".
posted by wcfields at 5:19 PM on April 10, 2012
He was very active in the jazz scene in Portland in the 80s/90s. He's not fat, but he is huge, dude is like 6'6".
posted by wcfields at 5:19 PM on April 10, 2012
Anyone who lives in Oregon pretty much knows that if Springfield, OR wasn't the official location, it was definitely the inspiration.
Burnside, Flanders, etc are all common street names in the region.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:19 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Burnside, Flanders, etc are all common street names in the region.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:19 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oh, fuck this. I got a speeding ticket in Springfield, Oregon. Was on Interstate 5 and the city police ticketed me in their ongoing "Let's Screw the Californian Because He Won't Be Here to Fight the Ticket and We Need to Pay for the Aquatics Center Somehow" Program.
I heard some guy got killed in California and they never solved the case. But you wouldn't know anything about that now, would you, Cool Papa Bell?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:21 PM on April 10, 2012 [16 favorites]
I heard some guy got killed in California and they never solved the case. But you wouldn't know anything about that now, would you, Cool Papa Bell?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 5:21 PM on April 10, 2012 [16 favorites]
The Simpsons' Springfield is in my heart. It's in all of our hearts. Let us enjoy the good times we had there, vicariously living through the lives of those four-fingered, yellow-colored (and sometimes blue-haired!) people, back when it was still on the air, all those years ago.
posted by jabberjaw at 5:21 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by jabberjaw at 5:21 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
The Simpson's Springfield is not actually in Oregon. Homer Simpson is not actually Matt's father.
Daisy Buchanan is not Zelda.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 5:25 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Daisy Buchanan is not Zelda.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 5:25 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is like JK Rowling retroactively revealing Dumbledore was gay.
posted by dunkadunc at 5:27 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 5:27 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
trust me, there are worse springfields than the simpson's springfield
my springfield, for instance ...
posted by pyramid termite at 5:29 PM on April 10, 2012
my springfield, for instance ...
posted by pyramid termite at 5:29 PM on April 10, 2012
The Simpson's Springfield is not actually in Oregon. Homer Simpson is not actually Matt's father.
Daisy Buchanan is not Zelda.
I am not Spartacus.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:30 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Daisy Buchanan is not Zelda.
I am not Spartacus.
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:30 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is like JK Rowling retroactively revealing Dumbledore was gay.
He's not the first wizard to be a friend of Dorothy.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 5:30 PM on April 10, 2012 [28 favorites]
He's not the first wizard to be a friend of Dorothy.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 5:30 PM on April 10, 2012 [28 favorites]
But Tom Buchanan is actually Link, isn't he?
Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp, yes.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 5:31 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp, yes.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 5:31 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
This is like JK Rowling retroactively revealing Dumbledore was gay.
And in love with wizard Hitler!
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:31 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
And in love with wizard Hitler!
posted by His thoughts were red thoughts at 5:31 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Yes, but what I really want to know is IN WHICH NEW NEW YORK IS FUTURAMA SET?
posted by Huck500 at 5:32 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Huck500 at 5:32 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is not my beautiful wife,
This is not my beautiful car!
posted by Splunge at 5:32 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is not my beautiful car!
posted by Splunge at 5:32 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
> And in love with wizard Hitler!
I felt he was more like Wizard Stalin or Mussolini.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:32 PM on April 10, 2012
I felt he was more like Wizard Stalin or Mussolini.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:32 PM on April 10, 2012
Matt Groening reveals that the Simpsons live in Springfield, Oregon
Um... unless there was more to this interview than was printed, Groening does not say that the Simpsons live in Springfield, OR.
"Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon"
...by way of a commemorative plaque signed by Groening, reading “Yo to Springfield Oregon, the real Springfield!”
So the Simpsons' Springfield is based on Springfield, OR. Inspired by, even. That shouldn't surprise anyone considering Groening grew up in Portland. It doesn't mean the Simpsons actually live in Oregon any more than Batman operates in New York.
Cromulence fail.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 5:41 PM on April 10, 2012 [12 favorites]
Um... unless there was more to this interview than was printed, Groening does not say that the Simpsons live in Springfield, OR.
"Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon"
...by way of a commemorative plaque signed by Groening, reading “Yo to Springfield Oregon, the real Springfield!”
So the Simpsons' Springfield is based on Springfield, OR. Inspired by, even. That shouldn't surprise anyone considering Groening grew up in Portland. It doesn't mean the Simpsons actually live in Oregon any more than Batman operates in New York.
Cromulence fail.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 5:41 PM on April 10, 2012 [12 favorites]
What's next, revealing why everyone there is jaundiced?
posted by Garm at 5:43 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Garm at 5:43 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
His thoughts were red thoughts: "The Simpson's Springfield is not actually in Oregon. Homer Simpson is not actually Matt's father.
Daisy Buchanan is not Zelda.
I am not Spartacus."
But I am.
posted by Samizdata at 5:46 PM on April 10, 2012
Daisy Buchanan is not Zelda.
I am not Spartacus."
But I am.
posted by Samizdata at 5:46 PM on April 10, 2012
The link at the Daily News says Springfield, and Eugene, are in "eastern Oregon". Pffft.
posted by Fnarf at 5:47 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Fnarf at 5:47 PM on April 10, 2012
I still think it's Illinois. Illinois has an actual SHELBYVILLE!!!
posted by ashtabula to opelika at 5:48 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by ashtabula to opelika at 5:48 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Was gonna come in here and break the snark but qxntpqbbbqxl did it for me.
Still, it gives the Internet something fun to do for a while, and that's not all bad. I'm just not sure why the original article had to be so misleading; I guess "Matt Groening says that Springfield is based on a city from his home state" doesn't get pageviews.
posted by HostBryan at 5:49 PM on April 10, 2012
Still, it gives the Internet something fun to do for a while, and that's not all bad. I'm just not sure why the original article had to be so misleading; I guess "Matt Groening says that Springfield is based on a city from his home state" doesn't get pageviews.
posted by HostBryan at 5:49 PM on April 10, 2012
Springfield is a town in eastern Oregon near Eugene, with about 60,000 residents.
Since when is Springfield in eastern Oregon?
posted by asciident at 5:52 PM on April 10, 2012
Since when is Springfield in eastern Oregon?
posted by asciident at 5:52 PM on April 10, 2012
I still think it's Illinois. Illinois has an actual SHELBYVILLE!!!Does Illinois also have a West Springfield? If so, is West Springfield the shape of, and three times the size of, Texas?
posted by Flunkie at 5:52 PM on April 10, 2012
One of my all time favorite Simpsons gags is Shelbyville being founded by Shelbyville Manhattan.
posted by billyfleetwood at 5:52 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by billyfleetwood at 5:52 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
The thing that really gets my goat is the way that the characters on that show never age.
posted by Skygazer at 5:54 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Skygazer at 5:54 PM on April 10, 2012
The thing that really gets my goat is the way that the characters on that show never age.
No the biggest goat to get is that even within the season 1-9 canon (all other seasons do not, for the sake of this argument and human decency, exist) Bart's birth is a major chornochasm, Homer and Marge meet in HS and she becomes pregnant a while after, so they're roughly youngish parents but Bart is too young for them to be the latish middle-aged people they are in the main canon. Bart should be well into his teens according to the internal time span.
posted by The Whelk at 5:57 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Also, the pacific northwest is the only place where beaches, canyons, nuclear plants, woodlands, and people with four fingers and overbites can be found.
posted by The Whelk at 6:01 PM on April 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 6:01 PM on April 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
Oh my god, I just had a chornochasm.
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 6:02 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 6:02 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
That goat also be got...I think Marge is younger than she's presented and Homer, when that show first began was too much to stomach. I despised Homer. Loathed the guy. He depressed me to no end.
posted by Skygazer at 6:04 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Skygazer at 6:04 PM on April 10, 2012
Does nobody realize what Groening is really doing with this? He's trying to get his 20+ year old TV show to be thought of as somewhere near the far younger and hipper "Portlandia".
Also he's preparing us for a storyline where Homer goes to work as a moderator for a website called "MeatLifter".
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:04 PM on April 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
Also he's preparing us for a storyline where Homer goes to work as a moderator for a website called "MeatLifter".
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:04 PM on April 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
I mean, what are we to believe, that this is some sort sort of a [snort] magic teleporting city?
A wizard did it.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 6:06 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
A wizard did it.
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 6:06 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Oregon, that's where I'm a viking!
posted by radwolf76 at 6:08 PM on April 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
posted by radwolf76 at 6:08 PM on April 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
"Look, the thing about my family is there's five of us. Marge, Bart, Girl Bart, the one who doesn't talk, and the fat guy. How I loathe him."
posted by box at 6:09 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by box at 6:09 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
I heard some guy got killed in California and they never solved the case. But you wouldn't know anything about that now, would you, Cool Papa Bell?
I will neither confirm nor deny this story, but I will say that he owed me money.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:11 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
I will neither confirm nor deny this story, but I will say that he owed me money.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 6:11 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Both Homer and Marge are in the same graduating class, they've got to be within a year or two of each other ...
Homer's age has changed as the series developed; he was 36 in the early episodes,[10] 38 and 39 in season eight,[11] and 40 in the eighteenth season,[12] although even in those seasons his age is inconsistent.[1] During Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein's period as showrunners, they found that as they aged, Homer seemed to become older too, so they increased his age to 38.[13]
So homer and marge fall in love in High School and then a while later, not too long cause Marge is still living at home and not say, at college or working when it happens, Marge gets pregnant with Bart, leading to their marriage. So assuming they're 18 when they meet and say , 20 when they get married, then Bart would be 10 when they're both 30, not more demonstratively closer to 40, and since canon word and depiction of the parents is closer to 40 than 30, we have to assume Bart should be well into his teen years at the time they show depicts.
TL;DR: Bart has an unspoken genetic disorder that has stunted his development or is some type of Jeffy Is Five figure.
posted by The Whelk at 6:13 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Homer's age has changed as the series developed; he was 36 in the early episodes,[10] 38 and 39 in season eight,[11] and 40 in the eighteenth season,[12] although even in those seasons his age is inconsistent.[1] During Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein's period as showrunners, they found that as they aged, Homer seemed to become older too, so they increased his age to 38.[13]
So homer and marge fall in love in High School and then a while later, not too long cause Marge is still living at home and not say, at college or working when it happens, Marge gets pregnant with Bart, leading to their marriage. So assuming they're 18 when they meet and say , 20 when they get married, then Bart would be 10 when they're both 30, not more demonstratively closer to 40, and since canon word and depiction of the parents is closer to 40 than 30, we have to assume Bart should be well into his teen years at the time they show depicts.
TL;DR: Bart has an unspoken genetic disorder that has stunted his development or is some type of Jeffy Is Five figure.
posted by The Whelk at 6:13 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Dumbledore was gay?
posted by George Lucas at 6:14 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by George Lucas at 6:14 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Since when is Springfield in eastern Oregon?
Well, to be fair, Springfield is as far east as one should go, and that's stretching it a bit.
posted by malthusan at 6:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Well, to be fair, Springfield is as far east as one should go, and that's stretching it a bit.
posted by malthusan at 6:15 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
I had a friend tell me this like a month ago. Apparently Eugene is Shelbyville
I thought she was full of shit.
posted by gc at 6:16 PM on April 10, 2012
I thought she was full of shit.
posted by gc at 6:16 PM on April 10, 2012
Whelk, you said what I was thinking re: the features of their fictional terrain. it certainly explains The Murderhorn. Although there's not really ever going to be a hurricane on the west coast.
I just always knew it wasn't my (Illinois) Springfield because there are no terrain features here. or any ocean within any reasonable distance.
it doesn't quite explain how the boys were able to drive to Knoxville (I screeched he first time I saw the wigsphere THAT ACTUALLY EXISTS).. that's like 3 days drive. martin's money wouldn't have lasted that long.
posted by ninjew at 6:24 PM on April 10, 2012
I just always knew it wasn't my (Illinois) Springfield because there are no terrain features here. or any ocean within any reasonable distance.
it doesn't quite explain how the boys were able to drive to Knoxville (I screeched he first time I saw the wigsphere THAT ACTUALLY EXISTS).. that's like 3 days drive. martin's money wouldn't have lasted that long.
posted by ninjew at 6:24 PM on April 10, 2012
curious nu: "Maybe you should stay in California, Californian.
/obligatory Oregonian nonsense"
No, no.. Get it right. Don't Californicate Oregon.
posted by jgaiser at 6:33 PM on April 10, 2012
/obligatory Oregonian nonsense"
No, no.. Get it right. Don't Californicate Oregon.
posted by jgaiser at 6:33 PM on April 10, 2012
We got our bullshit Oregon speeding ticket near Shaniko. Fuck you, Oregon, fuck you Shaniko.
posted by Artw at 6:43 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Artw at 6:43 PM on April 10, 2012
Don't worry. California is totally unOregonized.
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:45 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:45 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
The heck were you doing out there, Art? I didn't think there were any people there anyway.
posted by curious nu at 6:46 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by curious nu at 6:46 PM on April 10, 2012
BREAKING: Simpsons creator reveals 'real deal' with Smithers
(AP) In a revelation its source would like to believe will wind up a political football in the 2012 presidential campaign, Simpsons creator Matt Groening has finally revealed what he calls the "real deal" with beloved character Waylon Smithers, the assistant to evil nuclear plant manager C. Montgomery Burns on the long-running animated Fox series.
"The real deal with Waylon Smithers," Groening said in an interview, "is that he's Mr. Burns' assistant. He's in his early 40s, is unmarried, and currently resides in Springfield."
On further questioning, Groening unveiled a darker secret long suspected by hardcore fans of the show. "Oh, and of course you'd have to be prepubescent to not realize Smithers is gay," Groening explained. "Our fans have known this for years, and it's a sort of in-joke to 'debate' his homosexuality, which has been a foregone conclusion at least since he fantasized about having his boss float through his window naked in the moonlight."
"You're writing this down, right?" Groening noted. "Because remember when stuff on this show I created actually did influence presidential elections? Those were good times. It'd be pretty cool to wield that kind of influence over the media agenda again."
Pressed to summarize his point, Groening demurred.
"I enjoy stories," he told reporters.
-30-
posted by gompa at 6:46 PM on April 10, 2012 [5 favorites]
(AP) In a revelation its source would like to believe will wind up a political football in the 2012 presidential campaign, Simpsons creator Matt Groening has finally revealed what he calls the "real deal" with beloved character Waylon Smithers, the assistant to evil nuclear plant manager C. Montgomery Burns on the long-running animated Fox series.
"The real deal with Waylon Smithers," Groening said in an interview, "is that he's Mr. Burns' assistant. He's in his early 40s, is unmarried, and currently resides in Springfield."
On further questioning, Groening unveiled a darker secret long suspected by hardcore fans of the show. "Oh, and of course you'd have to be prepubescent to not realize Smithers is gay," Groening explained. "Our fans have known this for years, and it's a sort of in-joke to 'debate' his homosexuality, which has been a foregone conclusion at least since he fantasized about having his boss float through his window naked in the moonlight."
"You're writing this down, right?" Groening noted. "Because remember when stuff on this show I created actually did influence presidential elections? Those were good times. It'd be pretty cool to wield that kind of influence over the media agenda again."
Pressed to summarize his point, Groening demurred.
"I enjoy stories," he told reporters.
-30-
posted by gompa at 6:46 PM on April 10, 2012 [5 favorites]
The heck were you doing out there, Art? I didn't think there were any people there anyway.
Driving down to Bend.
We actually have TWO awful Shaniko stories, the second being rather long-winded and boring but basically summarized as this: Never stop there.
posted by Artw at 6:58 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Driving down to Bend.
We actually have TWO awful Shaniko stories, the second being rather long-winded and boring but basically summarized as this: Never stop there.
posted by Artw at 6:58 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Jeffty. Jeffty is five.
Jeffy is from "The Family Circus."
Now I want Harlan Ellison to write some "Family Circus" crossovers, because fuck.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:12 PM on April 10, 2012 [5 favorites]
Jeffy is from "The Family Circus."
Now I want Harlan Ellison to write some "Family Circus" crossovers, because fuck.
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:12 PM on April 10, 2012 [5 favorites]
(If that was your phone/tablet whatever that Cupertinoed you, TheWhelk, my apologies for the pedantry. Otherwise, we may have to take this up at the next meeting of the Pedantic Nerds Society.)
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:13 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 7:13 PM on April 10, 2012
All this time I was convinced it was actually Springfield, Manitoba.
posted by not_on_display at 7:13 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by not_on_display at 7:13 PM on April 10, 2012
I've been to Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook but I've never been to Springfield, Oregon.
posted by usonian at 7:13 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by usonian at 7:13 PM on April 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Having lived in Eugene for the better part of 5 and a half years, the towns are think with "Simpsons" references, right down to Skinner's Butte and a brass statue of the town's founder in the center of town. Also Comic Book Guy is from Eugene (swear to god!)
posted by NiteMayr at 7:27 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by NiteMayr at 7:27 PM on April 10, 2012
Now I want Harlan Ellison to write some "Family Circus" crossovers, because fuck.
An Uncle Roy And his Dog
posted by The Whelk at 8:16 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
An Uncle Roy And his Dog
posted by The Whelk at 8:16 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Springfield, Oregon maybe... but let's look at the streets in Portland, Oregon. There's Flanders, there's Lovejoy, there's Quimby...
posted by twoleftfeet at 8:16 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by twoleftfeet at 8:16 PM on April 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Raise your hand if you've tried to re-create that map in SimCity
posted by The Whelk at 8:49 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 8:49 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
When I lived there (98-02) this was accepted as fact. For example.
posted by mullingitover at 8:57 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by mullingitover at 8:57 PM on April 10, 2012
While Life In Hell may be past its prime to be TV, I would still get behind an Ernie Pook show or, for that matter, anything else Lynda Barry was allowed to do, televised or otherwise.
posted by gusandrews at 9:11 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by gusandrews at 9:11 PM on April 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Didn't some guy named Reich go to jail for pushing all this Oregon business?
posted by njohnson23 at 9:25 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by njohnson23 at 9:25 PM on April 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
All this time I thought it was in the Principality of Sealand.
posted by Foosnark at 9:39 PM on April 10, 2012
posted by Foosnark at 9:39 PM on April 10, 2012
Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp, yes.
God, thanks for putting that theme song in my head.
posted by JHarris at 9:52 PM on April 10, 2012
God, thanks for putting that theme song in my head.
posted by JHarris at 9:52 PM on April 10, 2012
Although there's not really ever going to be a hurricane on the west coast.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? NOW THERE CAN'T NOT BE!
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:00 AM on April 11, 2012
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? NOW THERE CAN'T NOT BE!
posted by Bunny Ultramod at 12:00 AM on April 11, 2012
Not news. I saw Groening speak at my college over 10 years ago and he told the same story about thinking that Father Knows Best took place in Oregon. Reporter fired.
posted by Sxyzzx at 12:05 AM on April 11, 2012
posted by Sxyzzx at 12:05 AM on April 11, 2012
Maybe the move from old (KY) Springfield to new (OR) Springfield is the one occupied following the one where the whole town was moved following an excess of garbage?
No, nevermind, per Wikipedia that move was 8 km.
Oh, and oneswellfoop? I want full credit or royalties.
posted by Graygorey at 12:07 AM on April 11, 2012
No, nevermind, per Wikipedia that move was 8 km.
Oh, and oneswellfoop? I want full credit or royalties.
posted by Graygorey at 12:07 AM on April 11, 2012
How's that Aquatics Center working out for you? Nice, huh? Pretty swanky? I hope you fucking drown.
Just kidding.
No I'm not.
Do you think there are no native Springfielders on MetaFilter?!? Ahaaaar! I am the bari-sax-playing, French-speaking, top student girl person, and was well before the Simpsons even started!
Of COURSE it's in Oregon. C'est évident. And, erm, I've never watched a full episode of it in part because the similarities weird me out so much. Just bits of it here and there, and constantly telling French people that yes, it's the same Springfield. (In France, ID gives your birth town, so "Springfield" is forever and ever associated with my name.)
The Aquatics Center sucks. Feel better? :) Willamalane was always nicer than the silly wave machine thang they added out by Thurston.
and while I know it's all a joke and am chuckling at it myself, the death stuff is also a bit, well, ouch. Mrs. Kinkel was my French teacher; she taught it in middle school and then drove me to her house when in high school to tutor me so I could take the AP French test. The round, white button on my letterman's jacket in that "top student" photo is a French one she'd given me.
posted by fraula at 12:37 AM on April 11, 2012 [3 favorites]
Just kidding.
No I'm not.
Do you think there are no native Springfielders on MetaFilter?!? Ahaaaar! I am the bari-sax-playing, French-speaking, top student girl person, and was well before the Simpsons even started!
Of COURSE it's in Oregon. C'est évident. And, erm, I've never watched a full episode of it in part because the similarities weird me out so much. Just bits of it here and there, and constantly telling French people that yes, it's the same Springfield. (In France, ID gives your birth town, so "Springfield" is forever and ever associated with my name.)
The Aquatics Center sucks. Feel better? :) Willamalane was always nicer than the silly wave machine thang they added out by Thurston.
and while I know it's all a joke and am chuckling at it myself, the death stuff is also a bit, well, ouch. Mrs. Kinkel was my French teacher; she taught it in middle school and then drove me to her house when in high school to tutor me so I could take the AP French test. The round, white button on my letterman's jacket in that "top student" photo is a French one she'd given me.
posted by fraula at 12:37 AM on April 11, 2012 [3 favorites]
Bart has an unspoken genetic disorder that has stunted his development
WhachootalkinboutFlanders
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:20 AM on April 11, 2012
WhachootalkinboutFlanders
posted by obiwanwasabi at 1:20 AM on April 11, 2012
I sort of lost interest in Simpsons geography when they said Shelbyville was named after someone called "Shelbyville".
posted by Segundus at 2:33 AM on April 11, 2012
posted by Segundus at 2:33 AM on April 11, 2012
It's wrong to bring up Lancelot Link, Secret Chimp because it's been discussed before and spy monkeys rarely contribute good things to the dialogue. On the other hand, spy monkeys are kind of cool.
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:51 AM on April 11, 2012
posted by twoleftfeet at 2:51 AM on April 11, 2012
"I am not Spartacus."
But I am.
Guys, guys, you don't have to fight. You can both be Spartacus.
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:20 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
But I am.
Guys, guys, you don't have to fight. You can both be Spartacus.
posted by sebastienbailard at 3:20 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
One of the great things about choosing the name Springfield was that not only are there 40 of them in the US, but none of them are landmarks in the popular consciousness. But yeah, I always assumed the Simpsons was set in the Northwest, seeing as it rode into the popular consciousness along with Twin Peaks and Sub Pop and Gus Van Sant.
posted by bendybendy at 5:31 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by bendybendy at 5:31 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
I estimate this will get about three people to remember that "Oh, hey, The Simpsons is a thing that still exists!"
Because everyone has the same taste as you.
posted by Edison Carter at 6:02 AM on April 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
Because everyone has the same taste as you.
posted by Edison Carter at 6:02 AM on April 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
I thought everyone knew that the Springfield nuclear plant was Trojan, with a second cooling tower added for good looks.
posted by Hactar at 6:58 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Hactar at 6:58 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
I'm from the Springfield that won the contest to host the premiere of the movie back in 2007, but even we knew that the Simpsons weren't from Vermont. I'd actually heard about them being from Oregon before this reveal - mostly from Oregonians.
Anyhow. My hometown still has a statue of Homer's hand holding a giant pink donut - so that's pretty cool.
posted by sonika at 6:58 AM on April 11, 2012
Anyhow. My hometown still has a statue of Homer's hand holding a giant pink donut - so that's pretty cool.
posted by sonika at 6:58 AM on April 11, 2012
Springfield is a town in western Oregon near Eugene
Shouldn't there be more meth related episodes?
posted by HumanComplex at 7:10 AM on April 11, 2012
Shouldn't there be more meth related episodes?
posted by HumanComplex at 7:10 AM on April 11, 2012
In France, ID gives your birth town, so "Springfield" is forever and ever associated with my name.
I lived in Germany for a while and people would ask where I was from. I would tell them "Vermont" (and they would promptly correct my pronunciation of "VER-mont" to "VIR-mint" which... no. Seriously. It wasn't a joke. They were correcting me.) and they'd ask which town. After the first time, I would grit my teeth every time I said "Springfield" as inevitably... "ACH, JA! Wie Homer Simpson!"
Questions about how I felt about living so close to a nuclear power plant quickly followed. It never sunk in when I explained how there are 38 Springfields in the US and that my hometown was not governed by Mayor Quimby.
Also: Simpsons in German isn't funny. Even the first few seasons. They sucked the funny right out of it. The voices are all wrong and instead of saying "D'oh!" Homer says "Nein." How funny would it be if Homer just said "NO!" all the time? Not funny at all is the answer.
posted by sonika at 7:11 AM on April 11, 2012 [4 favorites]
I lived in Germany for a while and people would ask where I was from. I would tell them "Vermont" (and they would promptly correct my pronunciation of "VER-mont" to "VIR-mint" which... no. Seriously. It wasn't a joke. They were correcting me.) and they'd ask which town. After the first time, I would grit my teeth every time I said "Springfield" as inevitably... "ACH, JA! Wie Homer Simpson!"
Questions about how I felt about living so close to a nuclear power plant quickly followed. It never sunk in when I explained how there are 38 Springfields in the US and that my hometown was not governed by Mayor Quimby.
Also: Simpsons in German isn't funny. Even the first few seasons. They sucked the funny right out of it. The voices are all wrong and instead of saying "D'oh!" Homer says "Nein." How funny would it be if Homer just said "NO!" all the time? Not funny at all is the answer.
posted by sonika at 7:11 AM on April 11, 2012 [4 favorites]
Simpsons in German isn't funny.
The goggles, they do nossing?
posted by Edison Carter at 7:22 AM on April 11, 2012 [6 favorites]
The goggles, they do nossing?
posted by Edison Carter at 7:22 AM on April 11, 2012 [6 favorites]
Simpsons in German isn't funny.
In Germany in 1988 I saw an epsiode of "Hogan's Heroes" dubbed into German.
As far as I can recall, SGT Schultz and COL Klink both got more elegant diction/accents than in the English-language original.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:37 AM on April 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
In Germany in 1988 I saw an epsiode of "Hogan's Heroes" dubbed into German.
As far as I can recall, SGT Schultz and COL Klink both got more elegant diction/accents than in the English-language original.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:37 AM on April 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
Simpsons in German isn't funny.
I beg to differ.
posted by cyberscythe at 7:46 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
I beg to differ.
posted by cyberscythe at 7:46 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Simpsons in German isn't funny
How is that different in English?
posted by stormpooper at 7:47 AM on April 11, 2012
How is that different in English?
posted by stormpooper at 7:47 AM on April 11, 2012
Simpsons in German isn't funny.
Germans on the Simpsons though, that's funny.
Ooh the Germans.
posted by chavenet at 7:49 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Germans on the Simpsons though, that's funny.
Ooh the Germans.
posted by chavenet at 7:49 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
What Groening said was: "Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon." The authors of this article don't understand the concept of "named after." Many people are named after John the Baptist, but that doesn't mean they are John the Baptist.
posted by John Cohen at 8:17 AM on April 11, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by John Cohen at 8:17 AM on April 11, 2012 [4 favorites]
TL;DR: Bart has an unspoken genetic disorder that has stunted his development or is some type of Jeffy Is Five figure.
tl;dr: It's Groening's creation and he can do with it whatever the heck he pleases. (As long as Fox agrees.)
The inconsistencies are part of the beauty of the show. Let them be.
Thank you,
PDQ Doohickie, Esq.
posted by Doohickie at 8:24 AM on April 11, 2012
tl;dr: It's Groening's creation and he can do with it whatever the heck he pleases. (As long as Fox agrees.)
The inconsistencies are part of the beauty of the show. Let them be.
Thank you,
PDQ Doohickie, Esq.
posted by Doohickie at 8:24 AM on April 11, 2012
What Groening said was: "Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon." The authors of this article don't understand the concept of "named after."
This is a general problem people have with fiction, sadly. It seems like the lust for real-life celeb gossip connections overwhelms concerns such as nuances of influence and the fictionalizing of places and characters. I get the impression that "based on true story" hype in television programming has encouraged a lot of people to read through narratives to try to see salacious tidbits about actual people and places they assume can be inferred from stories in general.
posted by aught at 9:06 AM on April 11, 2012
This is a general problem people have with fiction, sadly. It seems like the lust for real-life celeb gossip connections overwhelms concerns such as nuances of influence and the fictionalizing of places and characters. I get the impression that "based on true story" hype in television programming has encouraged a lot of people to read through narratives to try to see salacious tidbits about actual people and places they assume can be inferred from stories in general.
posted by aught at 9:06 AM on April 11, 2012
I've known this for years. It was understood that it was set in Oregon.
posted by Liquidwolf at 9:07 AM on April 11, 2012
posted by Liquidwolf at 9:07 AM on April 11, 2012
No, sonika's Germans were right. It's Springfield, Vermont. We learned this in 2007.
posted by The Man from Lardfork at 10:01 AM on April 11, 2012
posted by The Man from Lardfork at 10:01 AM on April 11, 2012
WhachootalkinboutFlanders
Whatchoo talkin' about everybody!
posted by cereselle at 10:22 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Whatchoo talkin' about everybody!
posted by cereselle at 10:22 AM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Incidentally, the theatre in Springfield, VT where the premiere took place later burned down and it was only the fact that the donut statue had been moved indoors to the Chamber of Commerce that saved it. The theatre died, but the donut lived on.
posted by sonika at 11:19 AM on April 11, 2012
posted by sonika at 11:19 AM on April 11, 2012
Yes, yes, all the cool kids hate The Simpsons, we get it. It's unfashionable to like things. But seriously, you're doing yourself a disservice if you used to love The Simpsons, but now you no longer watch it.
I'll be the first to point out that about half the episodes in any given season are just... awful. But the other half are truly inspired.
"The Book Job" is a great example from this season. It riffed on the "Ocean's N" line of movies, laid out a plausible scenario in which Lisa Simpson would engage in a breathtakingly selfish act of cowardice and cynicism, AND made brilliant use of guest star Neil Gaiman. His read of "Cheeseburgers!" is worth the price of admission alone.
If you haven't watched it in a while, you may also have missed the current trend of inserting tons of visual jokes specifically for the freeze frame folks. I can't even tell you how many funny things you can find by judicious pausing of "The Food Wife," for example. Not to mention all the great book titles and Twilight jokes in "The Book Job."
One may argue that a 50/50 success rate isn't too great for a television show. I would argue that it was always thus, and that a lot of people have conveniently forgotten all the crappy episodes of the first 5-6 seasons.
posted by ErikaB at 2:57 PM on April 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
I'll be the first to point out that about half the episodes in any given season are just... awful. But the other half are truly inspired.
"The Book Job" is a great example from this season. It riffed on the "Ocean's N" line of movies, laid out a plausible scenario in which Lisa Simpson would engage in a breathtakingly selfish act of cowardice and cynicism, AND made brilliant use of guest star Neil Gaiman. His read of "Cheeseburgers!" is worth the price of admission alone.
If you haven't watched it in a while, you may also have missed the current trend of inserting tons of visual jokes specifically for the freeze frame folks. I can't even tell you how many funny things you can find by judicious pausing of "The Food Wife," for example. Not to mention all the great book titles and Twilight jokes in "The Book Job."
One may argue that a 50/50 success rate isn't too great for a television show. I would argue that it was always thus, and that a lot of people have conveniently forgotten all the crappy episodes of the first 5-6 seasons.
posted by ErikaB at 2:57 PM on April 11, 2012 [2 favorites]
In that case, let me be the first to say that you should DVR "The Book Job," because it's so awesome!
posted by ErikaB at 3:18 PM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by ErikaB at 3:18 PM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Pretty sure this just means that he got the inspiration for the show from Springfield, Oregon....not that they live there.
posted by Bwentman at 5:17 PM on April 11, 2012
posted by Bwentman at 5:17 PM on April 11, 2012
The World Famous: "That's because a lot of us only ever watched the Simpsons on reruns, due to our work, school, and social schedules. And in the reruns, they generally cut out the crap episodes and just run the popular ones."
As someone who has watched all the old Simpsons episodes: No way. The old ones were much, much better. Early Simpsons was hilarious because it made observations about everyday suburban life, things we've all been through: Bart could get an F, or work for an old lady for money to buy a comic book and get paid 25c for his trouble.
In the new episodes, all those everyday-life things have already happened with all possible permutations of Bart, Lisa, Marge, Homer and Maggie. We know exactly what the characters are going to do, because they've been going on for MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
That's why the new Simpsons (and Futurama) has to rip issues from the headlines or spoof movies: so the characters can have a plot to lurch through and we can laugh. But it's not as funny that way: It feels the same way it would if Calvin and Hobbes was still going and they were having to do plot arcs about the family getting a hybrid car or Calvin texting too much or Suzie Derkins getting to meet Miley Cyrus.
posted by dunkadunc at 8:46 PM on April 11, 2012
As someone who has watched all the old Simpsons episodes: No way. The old ones were much, much better. Early Simpsons was hilarious because it made observations about everyday suburban life, things we've all been through: Bart could get an F, or work for an old lady for money to buy a comic book and get paid 25c for his trouble.
In the new episodes, all those everyday-life things have already happened with all possible permutations of Bart, Lisa, Marge, Homer and Maggie. We know exactly what the characters are going to do, because they've been going on for MORE THAN 20 YEARS.
That's why the new Simpsons (and Futurama) has to rip issues from the headlines or spoof movies: so the characters can have a plot to lurch through and we can laugh. But it's not as funny that way: It feels the same way it would if Calvin and Hobbes was still going and they were having to do plot arcs about the family getting a hybrid car or Calvin texting too much or Suzie Derkins getting to meet Miley Cyrus.
posted by dunkadunc at 8:46 PM on April 11, 2012
And watching reruns on cable, really? Anyone with any wit at all torrents all the seasons and watches them at their leisure. Cable is for suckers.
posted by dunkadunc at 8:47 PM on April 11, 2012
posted by dunkadunc at 8:47 PM on April 11, 2012
No, but it's possible now, if we're talking about the possibility of biased by them only playing good episodes on reruns.
posted by dunkadunc at 9:35 PM on April 11, 2012
posted by dunkadunc at 9:35 PM on April 11, 2012
Springfield is in a herb?!
posted by oxford blue at 9:41 PM on April 11, 2012
posted by oxford blue at 9:41 PM on April 11, 2012
Now we are fucked. Too many people know about us. Normally we'd flash the whole bunch. But not now. Oh things are going to get bad now. Will they all accept the Silence Act? Or shall we have to find them? And change their minds?
Each and every one is trouble. I told you. I told you from the beginning that this Meta, this Filter was going to be trouble.
But no, you said, watch them. Learn from them.
No what do you say we are sc
posted by Splunge at 9:54 PM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Each and every one is trouble. I told you. I told you from the beginning that this Meta, this Filter was going to be trouble.
But no, you said, watch them. Learn from them.
No what do you say we are sc
posted by Splunge at 9:54 PM on April 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Exclusive: Nope, Springfield is Not in Oregon, Clarifies The Simpsons' Matt Groening , TV Guide.
posted by asciident at 11:52 PM on April 13, 2012
posted by asciident at 11:52 PM on April 13, 2012
Well, you've finally made a monkey out of me.
posted by box at 6:56 AM on April 14, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by box at 6:56 AM on April 14, 2012 [2 favorites]
Last night's episode had two references to this "connection" in the opening ("The Simpsons" title had a subtitle of "Welcome to Oregon" and Bart's chalkboard sentence was another reference.).
posted by Edison Carter at 9:15 AM on April 16, 2012
posted by Edison Carter at 9:15 AM on April 16, 2012
On a random whim I watched that Simpsons, and I have to say it was a great episode, from the references to Oregon to the Futurama shoutouts to actually having a decent story overall. Even the background gags were great; I can't stop chuckling over the movie poster for HORRIBLE PREMISE.
posted by JHarris at 9:50 PM on April 16, 2012
posted by JHarris at 9:50 PM on April 16, 2012
« Older The Junkie Old Folks' Home | Row, row, row your boat / gently down the Saigon... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by felix at 5:02 PM on April 10, 2012 [42 favorites]