Here’s Who Left the Biggest Legacies in Springfield, According to ‘The Simpsons’

Of The Simpsons’ many characters, which one left the greatest legacy within the world of Springfield? Krusty the Clown? Mayor Quimby? That inanimate carbon rod?

Well, this week’s episode, “Full Heart, Empty Pool” dared to ask this question. And the answers were pretty surprising. 

While much of the story was about Homer and Grampa Simpson inventing a new sport involving pool noodles, the episode began with Homer suing the squeaky-voiced teen character (now named Andrew) for renting him construction equipment despite his obvious incompetence. 

Homer is victorious, but the notoriety leads to him getting his own “Wiccapedia” page, which notes that he is the first person to ever be declared a “court-certified idiot.” The updated version of the dictionary photo from Season Three’s “Homer Defined” is a nice touch. 

Troubled by the fact that this act of stupidity may end up being his legacy, Homer dreams about how some of Springfield’s more accomplished residents will be remembered. Travel host Rick Steves, who Homer dozes off to as Lisa watches PBS, guides Homer through several statutes that “honor the legacies of the many people who made a difference in Springfield.”

The statue-worthy Springfieldians include Principal Skinner, Nelson Muntz (for picking on Principal Skinner) and Ned Flanders, who is depicted helping the needy. More randomly, there are statues of heavyweight champion Drederick Tatum and Buck McCoy, the alcoholic ex-cowboy star that Bart befriended way back in Season 13’s “The Lastest Gun in the West.” To be fair, he did thwart a bank robbery using only a lasso and the willpower to discard his booze, syringes and porno mags.

The other statues are of billionaire rapper Jay G and his prized pet Goosius, who appeared in the two-part Season 28 episode “The Great Phatsby.” And all of these statutes are situated on one giant statue of Lenny, who will apparently invent invisible suspenders one day. 

You’d think that inventing a popular cocktail, becoming an astronaut and winning a Pulitzer Prize would trump some of those accomplishments.