Ted Kennedy is turning the other cheek.
For years, the Massachusetts senator and his family have been lampooned on the cartoon series “The Simpsons” by Joe Quimby, the skirt- chasing mayor of Springfield who speaks with a Boston accent, throws money at political problems, and vacations in a coastal resort called the Quimby Compound. Now Kennedy wants to make peace with his yellow, four-fingered foe.
“We cordially invite all the Simp- sons – Homer, Marge, Bart, old ‘Diamond’ Joe Quimby, Grampa, Lisa, and Abe – to join us in Springfield, Massachusetts,” Kennedy announces in a video that will be posted online Monday. “Just think: After 400 episodes, you’ll be able to enjoy some real ‘chow-dah.”‘
With Kennedy’s help, the city of Springfield, Mass., is competing against 13 other Springfields to host the world premiere of “The Simpsons Movie” July 26, the day before the movie opens nationwide. Springfield, Colo., is among those competing and submitting a video.
For the Massachusetts town, the honor would draw international attention to a spot known as the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Residents – many in yellow-tinted skin and starchy blue hairdos – participated in the five-minute video that represents the city’s entry in the contest. Films from the various Springfields are at
simpsons-contest.htm, where voters can select the winner until Tuesday.
“Kennedy is our ace in the hole,” said David Horgan, the video’s producer. “The Springfield in Ohio called and said, ‘I heard you got Kennedy in your video.’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ They said, ‘It’s all over.”‘
City councilors unanimously passed a bill in support of the project after “Simpsons” fans lobbied them with Homer’s trademark sprinkled purple doughnuts.
“This could put Springfield on the map for something good,” said council president Kateri Walsh. “It could create a whole new tourist industry – people wanting to visit the Home of the Simpsons.”
Kennedy’s office declined to comment on his opinion about “The Simpsons” but issued a statement saying, “Kennedy was thrilled to participate in the campaign and hopes all the Simpsons will come to the number one Springfield in America for a great night later this summer.”
In addition to Quimby’s accent, the fictional Springfield shares several similarities with the Massachusetts city. In one episode, Springfield legalizes gay marriage. In another, Homer’s search for a new watering hole leads him to Cheers, in Boston. Plus, former executive producer Mike Scully is from Western Springfield.
But “the City of Homes,” as Springfield, Mass., is known, is not the only town competing to become the City of Homer.
Springfield, Ky., created a countrified character named Gomer Simpson for its video. Oregon plugged its ties to “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, a Portland native.
Missouri used 15 film crews, 9,000 extras and 1,440 doughnuts in its spoof, says Breena Camden, a spokesman for 20th Century Fox, which is sponsoring the contest.
Even tiny Springfield, Neb., which does not have a movie theater, entered the contest. In addition to Colorado, the other participating Springfields are in Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Vermont.
Although other Springfields congratulated Massachusetts on booking Kennedy, they questioned whether a celebrity cameo would sway voters.
“I think it’s really cool that Mr. Kennedy got involved, but I don’t think it will make the difference,” said Tim Robertson, the director of the video for Springfield, Mich. “When you’re a bigger city, you can get big names.”
“This is like running a national political campaign,” said Tony Cignoli, a political consultant organizing the Massachusetts bid. “We’re in the dog days of summer, and we’re asking people to give us a hand. This is going to take a lot of elbow grease and word of mouth.”
The winner of the contest will roll out the “yellow carpet” July 26, one day before the film opens in the rest of America. Makers of “The Simpsons Movie” will attend the ceremony, and die-hard fans will pour into town from around the world.
Some residents of the Massachusetts Springfield were skeptical. Johnny Hernandez, a hydraulic equipment builder, struggled to imagine the Simpsons living in Springfield.
“Bart driving a drop-down car with 22-inch rims,” he said. “I can’t see it.”
