Remember the episode when Bart lost his soul by trading it to Milhouse? Or the one when Homer went into space? Or that episode where Bart and his friends found themselves in a Lord of the Flies parody? If you can remember any of these episodes, or keep a running tally on how many times Homer Simpson has exclaimed "D'oh!", then maybe you should get a hobby. That is, a hobby that satiates your quest for Simpsons trivia and introduces you to others who have memorized scenes, dialogues, or entire episodes of the show. Such a hobby is now available at Tufts with the No Homers Club.
Tufts' newest student organization boasts an e-mail list of 95 interested students, an affinity for people with yellow skin and blue hair, and a devotion to an American family that appears on the longest-running primetime show in TV history - The Simpsons.
Matt Groening, the mastermind behind the cartoon, created The Simpsons to satirize the American family and culture. The show first aired in January 1990 and has since attracted quite a following. Any true American college student has seen at least one episode, and at one point has probably owned a Bart Simpson video game, a Lisa Simpson nightshirt, or a Simpsons lunchbox.
Freshmen Josh Belkin and Richard Kalmank, the founders of the No Homers Club, were inspired by a Metcalf Bridge program last November. During the program, approximately 40 students met with chemistry professor and Simpsons fan Christopher Morse to reminisce and discuss favorite episodes.
"We realized that the passion was there, the [Simpsons] following just needed its own organization," Kalman said. The two quickly began forming what would eventually become the "No Homers Club," an organization for Homer-lovers and all fans of The Simpsons in general. The club received temporary recognition by the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ) in December and held its first organizational meeting before final exams. The meeting was well attended and generated much enthusiasm. On Jan. 22, the TCUJ granted the No Homers official recognition. At last week's student activities fair, 60 people signed up to join the Simpsons-centered club.
"Basically, the club brings the fans together," Kalman said of the booming interest. He described the significance behind the club's name as "a joke from an episode, something that more of the dedicated members would know."
Club members agree. "[I joined because] I love the show," said sophomore Belkiss Murati. "We (her and her friends) gather to watch TheSimpsons every night at 11 [p.m.]... it's interesting what the show comes up with and how they weave in things from real life," Murati said.
The show critiques schools, government, religion, and parodies American culture, such as movies like The Godfather and Pulp Fiction, and the Lollapalooza concert series.
To explain why she signed up for the No Homers Club at the Activities Fair, senior Deborah Steinberg put it best: "I like the Simpsons and I like people who like The Simpsons," she said.
The club plans to show two episodes at every meeting and follow the viewing with a discussion on the episode's themes. Members will volunteer to lead the discussions, touching on subjects such as the portrayal of the Kennedy family and the alcohol industry.
In addition to meetings, the club plans to welcome other Simpson enthusiasts and even cast members into its community. Actor Dan Castellaneta, who lends his voice to Homer, the boorish yet loveable patriarch of the Simpson family, is among the list of guest speakers that the club hopes to bring to campus.
In March, the No Homers Club will view some older Simpsons episodes during a Sunday night screening in Hotung, in addition to a brand-new episode. Following the screening, the group will hold a discussion of the new episode, what people think of this season, and where members think the series is heading in general.
The club will have its first general interest meeting tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in the Large Conference Room in the Campus Center.
