The competition among the Springfields of America for the right to host the world premiere of the Simpsons movie has begun, as Fox has mailed out “starter kits” to the 16 towns involved. The kit includes two cans of yellow paint, a guidebook explaining how to draw Simpsons characters, and a video camera, which the towns will use to create a short film showing their “Simpsons spirit.” Springfield, Mass., is particularly excited, and is holding press conferences and soliciting ideas from the public. “We’re in it to win it,” says a city official there. Hopefully Springfield is far enough from Boston that this won’t provoke widespread panic.

—Posted by Tim Nudd