Watching Simpsons

Several different “Springfield’s” are currently competing for the right to host the premiere of the Simpsons Movie. The competition is limited to only real-life localities that share their town’s name with the animated show. Basically, to be considered as viable host, each town must submit a video pitch to be publicly voted on later.

The competition is set to be fierce, as producers are stopping at nothing, enlisting local personalities to double as Simpson’s characters. According to the Boston Globe, Springfield Massachusetts enlisted Senator Ted Kennedy to riff the word “chowdah!” Kennedy, for his part, must be demonstrating a good sense of humor. It’s obvious that Mayor Quimby is a parody of Kennedy family politicians. As for Springfield, Massachusetts, the town has opted for an interesting approach:

The three-minute clip takes on a television news show format laced with inside jokes to investigate how Matt Groening, “The Simpsons” creator, came here in the 1980s looking for inspiration to create a fictional Springfield as the home of Homer, Marge and Bart.

As the host of the made-up “Perfect Vision” puts it, Groening’s visit led to “the creation of the most popular cartoon series of all time and the ire of those whose lives he hijacked.”

To emphasize the evil, he bites into a frosted doughnut — Homer Simpson-style — and chews slowly.

What follows is a where-are-they-now look at some of “The Simpsons” characters. Homer and Marge are still sitting on the couch. Bart grew up to be a doctor. And Disco Stu, whose true name the video would have you believe is “Tony Discostu,” still sports an Afro. Proudly.

They all bemoan how a slick-styled Groening swooned into town 20 years ago in a fancy red car offering gifts and promises, only to leave residents in the City of Homes empty-handed.

Other Springfields have opted for other approaches. Springfield, Kentucky, according to the Courier Journal, has produced a courtroom short where the town confronts Matt Groening. They claim that he’s been secretly spying on them, using them as fodder for the show. While different, Springfield, Illinois, according to the State Journal Register, also claims to have the original characters; their segment is a newscast, complete with a local personality after the likes of Kent Brockman, and a local power company General Manager believed to be a “dead ringer” for Mr. Burns.

Time, however, is running out for the 14 Springfields around the nation. Most of the videos have already been submitted to 20th Century Fox. While the results are not up for a public vote yet, the videos should be up at USAToday.com by Monday. Whichever town wins will get the ultimate bragging rights and the “yellow carpet” event.