LOS ANGELES - Springfield, the mythical city that serves as Anytown, USA for “The Simpsons,” is enjoying some urban sprawl in the real world.
Home to America’s favorite screaming yellow TV characters, the town becomes bicoastal on Wednesday when Universal Studios Hollywood officially unveils a newly created Springfield. The city block-sized neighborhood, constructed on formerly open space near the park’s existing Simpsons ride, will feature a collection of show-inspired landmarks, such as the cooling towers of Mr. Burns Nuclear Power Plant, and eateries - one of which will answer the age-old question: What exactly does a Flaming Moe taste like?
“It’s hard for me to be objective,” said Al Jean, one of the show’s executive producers who was closely involved in the ramp up of the show’s theme-park presence. “But if you’re a fan of ‘The Simpsons,’ you will feel like you’re in their world.”
Springfield’s leap from cartoon to concrete, which first began at the theme park’s Orlando, Fla., location in August 2013, marks another surprising cultural enshrinement for a subversive animated comedy that began more than 25 years ago with few expectations of success. Today, American television’s longest-running scripted program powers a lucrative global brand that has rung up billions in merchandising sales and has hauled in 31 Emmys and a 2012 Oscar nomination for its theatrical short “The Longest Daycare.”
The show that proved prime-time cartoons could appeal to adults received even more acclaim. Fox recently announced the show would continue setting records for TV longevity when the network renewed it for an unprecedented 27th and 28th season. When concluded, those seasons will bring the tally of “Simpsons” episodes to 625.
Springfield’s arrival in Universal Hollywood is among a slate of upgrades undertaken by the theme park over a five-year span that began in 2012 with the opening of its 3-D Transformers ride. Later this summer comes the roll out of another elaborate attraction, “Fast & Furious - Supercharged,” which is based on the popular movie series and will serve as a grand finale for the park’s studio tour.
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