After years of living in Springfield’s celebrity shadow, Eugene finally got its own moment in the spotlight. For 14 years, Eugene’s neighbor to the east has reveled in its status – earned or not – as hometown to The Simpsons. But on Sunday night, Eugene got a brief taste of the thrill when the writers deigned to put the city in the script, too. In the episode “Margical History Tour”, characters Lenny and Carl re-enact the Lewis and Clark expedition. Naturally, when the two reach the mouth of the Columbia River, the rain kicks in. “I say we give this lovely land a name,” says Lenny. “How about: Eugene, Oregon?” Executive producer Al Jean said writer, Michael Price, came up with the line because he thought it sounded funny and because Eugene’s a pretty well-known place. While Groening didn’t inspire the line himself, he was on hand for the final mixing of the show, when special sound effects are added, and was amused when he heard the line. Read More >>>
