Tufts' own No Homers Club earned mention in the March issue of Maxim Magazine, after co-president and founder sophomore Richard Kalman wrote a letter to the editor pointing out a blunder in the December issue.
"As the president of the No Homers Club at Tufts University, I find it my duty to point out an egregious error in 'The Spin-Off Doctor,'" Kalman wrote. "You say you'd like to see a Simpsons spin-off series called The 'Nahasapeemapetilons,' where Apu parlays his lone Kwik-E-Mart into a vast convenience store empire. But if you saw episode 1F10, 'Homer and Apu,' you'd know that the Kwik-E-Mart is already a global corporation, with its first store located deep within an Indian mountain range. Check it out."
The editors' response was rather blunt: "'No Homers Club?' Have you guys tried prostitutes?"
Kalman said he wrote to Maxim because it was his obligation as president of the No Homers Club, and as a loyal Simpsons fan, to point out the mistake.
"As self-appointed president of the second-most-powerful organization on campus - watch out LCS! - I felt it was my duty to correct an error made by the creators of an otherwise-fine publication," Kalman said. "Although the blunder was minor, any dedicated Simpsons fan would have caught it. I guess I was just the first one to speak up. But let this be a warning to all other national news organizations... the No Homers Club at Tufts University will be watching you!"
Co-president Josh Belkin was also pleased to be published in the magazine, and said the blurb provided exposure for the both the club and the University. Roommates Kalman and Belkin, avid fans of the hit television show, co-founded the club last year. The No Homers Club holds meetings and events throughout the year to watch episodes of the show and discuss their connection to American society and popular culture.
According to Kalman, the idea for the club came to them after chemistry Professor Christopher Morse ran a Simpsons-themed Metcalf Bridge program last year. "[The program had] such an amazing turnout that [Belkin] and I felt this campus presence needed a voice - a voice with a budget," Kalman said.
How much discussion actually goes on at these meetings where television and food are provided for free?
"Recently we have gotten into the routine of bringing another campus group to a meeting, watching related episodes, then discussing it afterwards," Belkin said. The Women's Union at Tufts and the Economics Society are on the list of recent guests.
"We typically have discussions on a per diem basis," Kalman said. "When people want to stick around and talk, we tend to do that for about 20 minutes following the screening of two episodes."
The club has been well received by those who occasionally come for a screening as well as members of the club. It was voted runner-up for "Best Club" in the Daily's 2001 Readers Poll. Belkin reports that the club has a mailing list of 300 and that around 40 to 90 people come to screenings.
The next Simpsons screening is titled "Simpsons and Psychology," and will take place on March 27. The club also does a live new episode screening in Hotung once per semester.
Kalman and Belkin also invite students to participate in a March 29 dodge-ball tournament co-sponsored by the No Homers Club and ZBT. Participants will get T-shirts, food and the opportunity to watch Simpsons episodes on a big screen while playing dodge-ball. Proceeds will be donated to a local shelter for homeless children.
Kalman and Belkin urge Tufts students to join the club. "Its such a smart show on so many levels - oh yeah, we have free food at all meetings too."
Visit the No Homers Club interactive website at ase.tufts.edu/nohomersclub to join the mailing list and find out about future events.
