The Battle of Springfield(s)

Fox is asking each of sixteen Springfields across the country to dook it out over which will host the premier of The Simpsons Movie.

Springfield, the Oregon one, is on a list of like-named towns competing for the big-screen debut of Homer, Bart and the rest of the TV Simpson family this summer. City officials accepted an invitation from 20th Century Fox to compete for the honor of hosting the premiere screening of "The Simpsons Movie" in July.

Fox publicist Gwyne Ortiz said Fox has asked 16 Springfields from Oregon to Massachusetts to participate.

Fox will pick the winner after reviewing short film entries showcasing the community's positive aspects and links to the Simpsons, who live in their own fictional Springfield.

Y'know, I've caught a couple of the trailers for this flick and, truth be told, my primary reaction has been "Meh."

Of course, I hope I'm wrong. But it's been my experience that tee vee shows don't parlay well into full length movies. Plus, The Simpsons has been on a general downhill slide for, oh, a good five-six years now. We shall see.