Hey hey tap ballers! In our silly lil game, we sometimes see things pop in that we have no clue as to their Origin. They seem familiar, but we just can’t pinpoint from where. So that is why we decided to make a fun lil reminder out of it. To let you know just Where did THAT Come From?
Just like the rules of Tap Ball, there are so many different little things EA brought into the game… and it’s only Act I. For this origin series, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at several of the little things you might not have realized come from the show in their own little way… the Stadium Entrance and Homertron.
First up… the Stadium Entrance. Sure Homer has created an all new game for us to play in TSTO with tons of rules and no conceivable alignment with any sport known to non-yellow man but is the Tap Ball Stadium completely original? Well my friends… yes and no. Let’s take a look at “Million Dollar Abie” (S17:E16). The Commissioner of Football has announced plans to expand the league with another expansion team and Homer is determined to personally bring the new team to Springfield. Sure big projects with lots of follow through aren’t exactly Homie’s strong suit but after a week, he actually did good. Check out the Springfield Meltdowns.
AND Homer designed a stadium funded with corporate naming rights. I’m sure the stadium and name sound familiar. Gotta love the Duff Beer Krusty Burger Buzz Cola Costington’s Department Store Kwik-E-Mart Stupid Flanders Park. Only difference with ours is the marquee is digital.
Pretty cool… sure the whole expansion fell through and the stadium became a bullfighting arena but when did everything in episodes apply to our beloved TSTOs? If Homer is designing the same stadium through us, I should point out that the stadium in the episode has a giant screen. Could this be the Homertron?
I’m gonna go with yes mainly because Homertron is obviously just a pun on the ever popular jumbotrons seen at sporting events. You can see examples of these screen at the Springfield Isotopes Stadium in “Marge and Homer Turn a Couple Play” (S17:E22). You know… the giant TV that tells you to kiss your partner when the Kiss Cam is on. The same Jumbo Vision a wife can use to keep her husband from being beaten by a minor league baseball player.
Of course, it could also be compared to the Godcam in “She of Little Faith” (S13:E6) and the Bribecam in “You Don’t Have to Live Like a Referee” (S25:E16). Both episodes included other items from this event.
There’s also the World’s Largest Jumbotron that Burns had installed in his Springfield Excitement Arena in “The Burns and the Bees” (S20:E8). Where else could you see Bee Bloopers and Attendance?
So technically something unique-ish to build our stadiums. I wonder how many folks want to make one similar to the stadium for the Springfield Meltdowns? There’s at least one fuzzy resident of Kashyyyk on that list. Of course, those acquainted with me know I like to ramble about Simpsons stuff so let’s not stop at just the Homertron. Let’s take a look at what the screen shows. I basically think of this as proof of Homer’s attempt to fund his Tap Ball Stadium with corporate funding. The source of the funding… YOU!
Did you notice that two of the three screens are items you could purchase in the game. I’m talking about the Blocko Store and Lady Duff. I dished on the Blocko Store a ways back if you’re curious but what about Lady Duff? Let’s take a look at “My Fare Lady” (S26:E14). When Moe leaves his tavern in the hands of Homer, our favorite animated dad sets out with Lenny and Carl to make money with a Ladies Night. Unfortunately the men they thought would come to drink when the ladies drank free don’t appear. All they get is a bar full of women, the Cheery Red Tomatoes, a bachelorette party and Lady Duff. Basically Duffman in drag… he is woman hear him roar… Oh Yeah!
Just a quick blip that became a premium skin and an ad for it on the Homertron. I’d say the big sports venue screen was just a soulless attempt to get us to spend our hard earned sprinklies if it wasn’t for one last ad on it… Malk. When I saw this one, I must admit I probably privately squealed just a tiny bit. Remember Malk from “The PTA Disbands” (S6:E21)?
Only brittle bones are the result and only Springfield Elelmentary would serve a delicious milk-substitute with vitamin R. Also, shredded newspaper and grinded down gym mats represent a very stable meal substitute. Gotta love the origin for one of Lunchlady Dora’s TSTO tasks.
Well frinds, that wraps up the batch of origins. Lots of Simpsons goodness brought into the game for you to enjoy and even if you couldn’t swing the premium items shilled by one of them, think of the flashing screens as your free version. The Lady Duff skin really does about just as much as her picture in your town. What do you think of it all? Building a colossal stadium yet? Sound off and stay the classy Tap Ballers I know you to be.
TTFN… Wookiee out!