|
Where Is The Simpsons' Springfield?
Version 3.0
Originally by Raymond Chen & Dave Hall
Contributions from Andrew A. Gill
Maintained by Sam Hughes
Where is The Simpsons' Springfield?
Ronaldo: I tried to write, but I didn't know what
state you lived in.
Lisa: It's a bit of a mystery, yes, but if you look
at the clues, you can figure it out.
~ "Blame It On Lisa"
[ THE SHORT ANSWER ]
Springfield does not exist. Its location is a running gag,
no more.
There is enough evidence in the existing 335+ episodes of
The Simpsons to preclude Springfield's placement in ANY
American state. There are so many geographical
contradictions between episodes that it is impossible for
Springfield to actually exist.
This has now become a running gag among both the writers of
the show and its fans. In the show, references to
Springfield's precise location are always artfully
hidden, usually for comic effect:
This scene, from a preliminary script to "Brother, Can
You Spare Two Dimes" demonstrates the proper attitude to
have towards the issue.
Scene: A train station. Herbert Powell is at the
ticket booth.
Herb: I want a ticket to Springfield.
Ticket Agent: Springfield, Illinois?
Herb: No.
Ticket Agent: Springfield, Massachusetts?
Herb: No, Springfield...
As Herb says the name of the state, a train whistle
blows, preventing us from hearing the answer.
Springfield is "Anytown, USA". It's as if all of America was
compressed into a single town, or a single state.
Springfield is everywhere and nowhere.
That's not gonna stop us looking.
__________________
/(bb|[^b]{2})/
|