“Springfield, Springfield, it's a hell of a town! The schoolyard's up and the shopping mall's down...”
?There appears to be some confusion over the recent revelation regarding the town in which the Simpsons reside. For years, people have wondered where The Simpsons’ Springfield was. Given the number of years the Fox animated comedy has been on the air, and the numerous Springfields across the U.S., it’s not surprising that people would want to debate the whereabouts of the town. In a recent interview with Smithsonian.com, series creator Matt Groening spoke about Springfield, stating:
Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon. The only reason is that when I was a kid, the TV show “Father Knows Best” took place in the town of Springfield, and I was thrilled because I imagined that it was the town next to Portland, my hometown. When I grew up, I realized it was just a fictitious name. I also figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, “This will be cool; everyone will think it’s their Springfield.” And they do.
?Apparently, the emphasis there should be that Springfield was named after Springfield, Oregon.
TV Guide quotes Groening as saying:
"I never said Springfield was in Oregon," Groening says. "I said Springfield was the name of my sled."
In addition to the nod to Citizen Kane, he makes a fair point. He doesn't exactly say that the town is set in Oregon.
Executive producer Al Jean told TV Guide that Groening’s comment was misinterpreted and then repeated, going on to say that Springfield is really an every town...
"They misinterpreted something I've heard him say for at least 10 or 20 years," Jean says. "He was inspired by growing up in Portland, but it's really an every town. It's really funny. Matt grew up in Oregon and parts of The Simpsons were definitely inspired by his childhood. But there is no specific state that Springfield is in, and we will never reveal that secret... except this coming Sunday at 8," he quips.
So it seems we must accept (at least for now) that Springfield’s true location is Fox, and in the hearts and minds of fans who’ve stuck by the series over the last couple of decades...
What we do know about Springfield?
?“...It’s a hell of a town!....”
