The REAL Springfield...
One of my friends, John Roberts and I have figured out where the Simpsons live. The answer is:
Saratoga Springs, New York!
Of course, we need proof of this, so I offer the following:
- In the episode "The Old Man and the Key" the Simpsons follow Grandpa to Branson, MO (over 1000 miles away according to Lisa). Saratoga Springs is ~1270 miles from Branson. That's pretty damn close!
- There is a major horse-track in Saratoga (the dogtrack in Springfield?).
- Saratoga is known for its numerous natural springs (I've tricked several people into tasting the springwater near the Ben & Jerry's...it tastes like sulfur!). That's probably why Groenig named the town SPRINGfield.
- Saratoga has a long standing rivalry with Schuylerville (which was called Old Saratoga from 1690 to 1831). Schuylerville was named after Revolutionary war hero General Philip Schuyler. This town is called Shelbyville on the Simpsons.
- The Nuclear powerplant is really GE in nearby Schnectedy.
- Blinky, the three-eyed fish probably came out of the Hudson River. In 2000, the EPA recommended that GE should dredge the river due to PCB contamination. (Could Homer REALLY be GE's safety inspector?)
- The Duff brewery is really the Saranac brewery.
- Duff Gardens is really a water park called "The Great Escape." It even looks the same!
- Numerous BLATENT referances to upstate New York are made
- Grandpa Simpson-"I was once voted the handsomest boy in Albany, New York."
- Principal Skinner thinks that the phrase "steamed hams" (hamburgers) is from Albany, New York.
- Superintendant Chalmers is from Utica, New York.
- While Bart and Homer are planning flim-flams (after seeing a magic act) they discuss the "Albany Ham Scam.".
- In the "Simpson and Son" episode, Grandpa and Homer drive to Frigid Falls (Glens Falls or Hoosick Falls) and Lake Flacid (obviously Lake Placid).
- The Simpsons live close to the mountains, the lake (Saratoga Lake) and the slums (Troy & Schnectedy).
- There is a Major League baseball team in nearby Capitol City (Possibly New York City although the minor league Yankees are in the capitol district [Colonie?]).
- They are trying to get Casino Gambling into Saratoga (they succeeded in one Simpson's episode).
- The headquarters for Stewart's Shops (gas/ice cream/convenience stores) is in Saratoga (Kwik-E-Mart?).
If you have a better candidate for the REAL Springfield, please e-mail me at stern@theriondna.com.
