D-oh!! Everybody knows Homer lives in SPRINGFIELD...Illinois That Is

One of the "Simpsons" TV shows' biggest mysteries is the location in which Bart, Lisa, Maggie, Marge, and Homer live. More than 30 US cities have the name Springfield and more than a few claim it.

Now, 20th Century Fox is letting them compete to be the location. The new feature length "Simpsons" movie comes out in July and the Springfield that wins gets the right to host the premier. Fox says they will ship a couch like the one at the show's opening and the towns have to make a short video "that boasts of their Simpson-like credentials. However, winning the contest still will not make it so.

One of my favorites cities to visit is Springfield, Illinois, the home of the state government, Route 66, the gastromic delight called the horseshoe, the world-famous Cozy Dog, and, of course, old Abe. Could this be one more honor?

The mayor,Tim Davlin, hopes so, and has vowed to prove, "we are indeed THE city that best represents the community on television."

There are some that claim that that just might not be such a great honor, because Homer's Springfield is not exactly perfect. There are a lot of characters with less than stellar reputations.

Springfield's website: www.springfield.il.us even has a place where you can give suggestions.

So far, here are the things Springfield, Illinois has that point to it as "The Springfield":

Doughnuts play an important role and there is the delicious Mel-o-Cream doughnuts that are made right in town with about six stores.

Homer and the gang thrive on junk food and there is the horseshoe, not to mention the Cozy Dog.

Homer's father is named Abe.

Shelbyville is Homer's town's nemesis and there is a Shelbyville near Springfield

Todd Renfrow, the general manager of the local power company is a deadringer for C. Montgomery Burns, owner of and where Homer works, Springfield's fictional nuclear power plant.

Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer, is a native of Illinois (and alumnae of my college, Northern Illinois University).

The middle name of disgraced Illinois Governor George Ryan is Homer.

I'd add the power plant's huge smokestacks, which can be seen from miles away, reminds you of the huge nuclear tower in Homer's town.

Springfield, Illinois, will have some competition from Springfield, Oregon, where the show's creator, Matt Groening is from. Springfield, Mass has also thrown its hat in the ring.

Taken from the Chicago Tribune "Home, Sweet Homer! Springfield says it's land of Simpsons" by Bob Secter and Rick Pearson.

WWHS- What Would Homer Say? --RoadDog