The Simpsons Movie Movie

Ever since 20th Century Fox and 7-Eleven teamed up to convert a dozen of its North America stores (including two in the L.A. area) into fictional Kwik-E-Marts as a monthlong promotional tie-in to "The Simpsons Movie," fans have been lining up for real-world versions of the Buzz Cola, KrustyO's and Squishees that previously existed only in the animated series. "I never thought we were going to do this kind of business," said Swarn Sahni, who owns the 7-Eleven franchise at 1611 W. Olive Ave.

Homer knows no borders. No, not the Homer who wrote "The Odyssey." At the entrance to the town of Springfield, New Zealand, there's a 12-foot-tall sculpture of a pink glazed doughnut. Voters in a congressional election in Argentina cast ballots for a candidate named Homer Simpson from the Donuts and Beer Party. When Brits were asked in an online survey to name their most admired Americans, Homer outranked Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.

Don't have a cow, man! "The Simpsons Movie" is bringing in plenty of "d'oh!" Twentieth Century Fox's big-screen adaptation of the long-running animated TV sitcom grossed an estimated $71.9 million in its first weekend in the U.S. and Canada. The surprisingly strong haul showed the versatility and durability of a pop-culture franchise that has poked fun at Middle America for two decades. The opening blew past industry expectations of $45 million.

Don't have a cow, man! "The Simpsons Movie" is bringing in plenty of "d'oh!" Twentieth Century Fox's big-screen adaptation of the long-running animated TV sitcom grossed an estimated $71.9 million in its first weekend in the U.S. and Canada. The surprisingly strong haul showed the versatility and durability of a pop-culture franchise that has poked fun at Middle America for two decades. The opening blew past industry expectations of $45 million.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) is being a homer for the Bay State. The New England politico wants the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie" in Springfield, Mass., as opposed to the namesake cities in Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and 10 other states. In the Fox network cartoon series, the Simpsons live in a place called Springfield, but exactly where that town is has always been purposefully vague. But not to Kennedy: "I know the answer -- it's undoubtedly Springfield, MA!"

It's Duff time in Springfield, Vt., which on Tuesday was proclaimed the official hometown of TV's favorite dysfunctional family, the Simpsons. The southeastern Vermont community beat 13 other Springfields for the honor, which includes hosting the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie" on July 26. The town of 9,300 was the smallest in population among the communities entered.

In a promotional stunt for "The Simpsons Movie," Homer, Marge and the kids take France and the fashion world by storm in the August issue of Harper's Bazaar in a cartoon spread that transforms the less-than-chic suburban family into pictures of urban sophistication. Supermodel Linda Evangelista serves as their tour guide, taking the Simpsons into the ateliers of Donatella Versace, Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel and Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, among others.

In the Vermont town of Springfield nestled in a mountain valley, a banner decorated with images of pink doughnuts is festooned across Main Street, welcoming visitors to the "Home of the Simpsons." "We're all very proud," said longtime resident Judi Martin, 56, after the town of whitesteepled churches, historic homes and aging brick factories was named the official hometown of television's favorite dysfunctional family.

Movie premiere: 20th Century Fox has invited 16 U.S. cities named Springfield to compete for the honor of hosting the premiere screening of "The Simpsons Movie" in July. 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.

Some critics won't get a look at "The Simpsons Movie" until three days before it opens nationally, a strategy Twentieth Century Fox is using to preserve the film's plot from Internet pirates and scoop-hungry movie bloggers. The film, which "Simpsons" fans have awaited for years, is set to premiere in Westwood on July 24 with a wide release on July 27. Fox is hosting screenings for most critics and reporters on July 24, 25 and 26.

Like the character Homer Simpson that it brings to life, Film Roman has had its share of ups and d'ohs! The 23-year-old boutique producer has long been one of the stalwarts of Southern California's animation community, thanks largely to "The Simpsons" juggernaut that for 18 years put Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie, Apu and Ned on a first-name basis with America. This weekend, the family stars in its first feature film.

Springfield gets more celebrity visitors than rehab. Al Jean, a key creator on both "The Simpsons" show and film, said there were some especially memorable guest stars. Jerry Lewis "Hank Azaria's John Frank character, the nutty professor, is based on Jerry Lewis, and Hank came to us once and asked if we could get Jerry. Jerry was in his 70s then and he was really, really funny. His health wasn't well but he was hysterical. We talked about Dean Martin and his career.

LAST Saturday, the tiny Vermont town of Springfield (pop. 9,084) celebrated its biggest news since local hero Isaac Fischer Jr. got a patent for sandpaper back in 1834. This time around the excitement was decidedly more glamorous, right down to rolling out the red carpet: the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie," an honor that involved beating out 13 other U.S. cities with the same name.

Ever since 20th Century Fox and 7-Eleven teamed up to convert a dozen of its North America stores (including two in the L.A. area) into fictional Kwik-E-Marts as a monthlong promotional tie-in to "The Simpsons Movie," fans have been lining up for real-world versions of the Buzz Cola, KrustyO's and Squishees that previously existed only in the animated series. "I never thought we were going to do this kind of business," said Swarn Sahni, who owns the 7-Eleven franchise at 1611 W. Olive Ave.

In the Vermont town of Springfield nestled in a mountain valley, a banner decorated with images of pink doughnuts is festooned across Main Street, welcoming visitors to the "Home of the Simpsons." "We're all very proud," said longtime resident Judi Martin, 56, after the town of whitesteepled churches, historic homes and aging brick factories was named the official hometown of television's favorite dysfunctional family.

In a promotional stunt for "The Simpsons Movie," Homer, Marge and the kids take France and the fashion world by storm in the August issue of Harper's Bazaar in a cartoon spread that transforms the less-than-chic suburban family into pictures of urban sophistication. Supermodel Linda Evangelista serves as their tour guide, taking the Simpsons into the ateliers of Donatella Versace, Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel and Alber Elbaz of Lanvin, among others.

Springfield gets more celebrity visitors than rehab. Al Jean, a key creator on both "The Simpsons" show and film, said there were some especially memorable guest stars. Jerry Lewis "Hank Azaria's John Frank character, the nutty professor, is based on Jerry Lewis, and Hank came to us once and asked if we could get Jerry. Jerry was in his 70s then and he was really, really funny. His health wasn't well but he was hysterical. We talked about Dean Martin and his career.

Like the character Homer Simpson that it brings to life, Film Roman has had its share of ups and d'ohs! The 23-year-old boutique producer has long been one of the stalwarts of Southern California's animation community, thanks largely to "The Simpsons" juggernaut that for 18 years put Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, Maggie, Apu and Ned on a first-name basis with America. This weekend, the family stars in its first feature film.

Some critics won't get a look at "The Simpsons Movie" until three days before it opens nationally, a strategy Twentieth Century Fox is using to preserve the film's plot from Internet pirates and scoop-hungry movie bloggers. The film, which "Simpsons" fans have awaited for years, is set to premiere in Westwood on July 24 with a wide release on July 27. Fox is hosting screenings for most critics and reporters on July 24, 25 and 26.

It's Duff time in Springfield, Vt., which on Tuesday was proclaimed the official hometown of TV's favorite dysfunctional family, the Simpsons. The southeastern Vermont community beat 13 other Springfields for the honor, which includes hosting the premiere of "The Simpsons Movie" on July 26. The town of 9,300 was the smallest in population among the communities entered.