It's been eighteen years since the Simpsonification of American culture began, making anyone under 30 already indelibly imprinted with the mores and customs of the Springfield-centered parallel universe. But adding words and phrases to the lexicon and every manner of cultural impact wasn't enough?we needed Quik-E-Marts, fashion spreads, tie-ins with existing icons and crop paintings of Homer annoying pagans before we could realize the full extent of America's first family's reach. And now, that ultimate barrier has been crossed. Everyone can become a Springfield resident, just upload a photo, tweak a few boxes and bingo bango, you're a character on The Simpsons, zapped into their shambolic world thanks to the Professor Frinks at Equity Marketing and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. Yeah, we know?making the Simpsonize Me site pick is a bit of a fudge, as we've already lauded the 7 Eleven makeover and the site launched before this week started. But the server's been overwhelmed most of the times we've tried to use the thing, and it's only recently we were able to tap into the power of a site linking a cultural institution and throwing folks into it through the Web 2.0 ego-ifyer?the old chimp staring into a mirror trick that hasn't gotten old even after we've grown mustaches and elfed ourselves six ways to Saturday. "I really hope the movie doesn't suck," you say, and yes, that's entirely fair. But even if it isn't a sparkling extension of the lauded fourth season's comedic prowess we're all winners just for being able to dip a yellow toe in Lake Springfield?consider your ticket price a tithe to years of fantastic entertainment. Got an opinion about this campaign? Want to weigh in over the minor scandal when Leo Burnett cried foul over the creation of Quik-E-Marts? Want to share your Simpson creation with us? Hit up the Forum!
