Location Of Springfield Revealed

[Skummy]

The creator of the iconic cartoon sitcom The Simpsons has finally revealed the inspiration behind the show's fictional town of Springfield.

Matt Groening told Smithsonian magazine he based the town on Springfield, Oregon, but since it is such a common US place name he knew many would think it was their own Springfield.

The Springfield question is one of the best-kept secrets in TV history.

The Simpsons is the longest-running show in the US, on air since 1989.

Characters in the show have often joked about hiding Springfield's real location.

"In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought: 'This will be cool, everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do," Mr Groening said.

There are thought to be at least 34 towns or cities called Springfield in the US.

Springfield, Wherever

Mr Groening also said he was inspired by the TV show Father Knows Best, which was set in a place called Springfield.

But the Springfield in Oregon is just 100 miles (160km) south of Portland, the city where Mr Groening grew up.

The Simpsons has sometimes given false answers to the question of Springfield's true location, leaving open the possibility that Mr Groening's latest comments are a continuation of the joke.

"Whenever people say it's Springfield, Ohio, or Springfield, Massachusetts, or Springfield, wherever, I always go: 'Yup, that's right,'" Mr Groening said.

In one episode, Marge and Homer Simpson's precocious daughter Lisa points to Springfield on a map, but the audience's view is obscured by Bart Simpson's head.

It appears that the town of Springfield, Oregon, has known of its connection to the sitcom since 2007, when Mr Groening visited before the release of The Simpsons Movie.

"Oh, okay, we knew that," a community relations manager told the Associated Press when she heard about Mr Groening's latest comments.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17673475

[CobraKaiEnTai]

Now to check if there's a Shelbyville in Oregon (along with Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook)

[Lineker]

Illusion = shattered!

[deli]

Thanks for ruining the magic.

[Gazz]

Do they have a monorail?

[Lineker]

Monorail?

[Skummy]

Monorail!

[METALMAN]

This is stupid. The Simpsons' Springfield isn't real, it isn't in any of these places. It exists only as a fictional entity. :/

Besides, Oregon's greatest contribution to popular culture will always be that song Perry Como sung.

[GA!]

Monorail!

Mono--

D'OH!

[New Damage]

It's more of him saying that it's named after Springfield, Oregon, not that it is Springfield, Oregon. There is no state as such, it's Springfield, USA. It's still generally an Anytown, USA and Springfield is just a common name.

[METALMAN]

Doesn't actually say anywhere in that article that it was named after Springfield, Oregon. :/

It says it was "based" on Springfield, Oregon. I am going to assume that it is based on Springfield, Oregon in tha same way that Liberty City is based upon New York City. The same, but as a cartoon.

This means Groening is talking shit cause none of those places in the Simpsons exist in Springfield, Oregon. Probably.

What a dickslap.

[SRN]

:/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/ :/

[Hobo]

Monorail!

I hear those things are awfully loud.

[Mick]

Monorail!

I hear those things are awfully loud.

It glides as softly as a cloud!

[apsham]

Is there a chance the track could bend?

[Mick]

Is there a chance the track could bend?

Not on your life, my Hindu friend.

[Sousa]

What about us brain-dead slobs?

[Damian WayLNKe]

I think this hits the nail on the head for how it was "based" off Springfield, Oregon. http://www.eeggs.com/items/4797.html

[Skummy]

Incidentally, I met Matt Groening a couple of years ago, and he's a lovely man.

[METALMAN]

@atp? I'm jealous if so

also don't post pictures of me for no reason please :/