Paul McCartney at Springfield Kwik-E Mart

There is a test of originality when writing for television which is:

Did the Simpson's do that yet?

I'm sure many folks had this thought when they heard about Paul McCartney stopping at a Springfield convenience store...

"What...again?"

Remember, 1995...

Paul McCartney and his wife Linda visiting the Kwik-E Mart in Springfield?

Photo from that visit here:
www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/15669163/the_simpsons

Quotes from that episode...

Lisa: The whole world wants me to eat meat. I can't fight it anymore.

[She musters her resolve and bites into a hot dog. Yells.]
There! Is everybody happy now?
Apu: I take it from your yelling that you like my tofu dogs?
Lisa: Tofu?
Apu: Oh yes. No meat whatsoever. And only thrice the fat of a normal
hot dog. I made the switch and nobody noticed.
Lisa: But why, Apu?
Apu: Of course I am a vegetarian. Haven't you ever seen my tee-shirt?
[Holds up a tee-shirt that depicts a cow with slash over it and
the words "Don't Have A Cow, Man!"]
Lisa: Heh heh heh, that's cute.
Apu: Here. Let me show you something Lisa. [Walks to a cooler marked
'Non-Alcoholic Beer" and opens the door. A set of stairs leading
upward is behind it.]
Lisa: Wow, a secret staircase. But what do you do if someone wants a
non-alcoholic beer?
Apu: You know, it's never come up.

-- "Lisa the Vegetarian"

They walk to the top of the stairs, to a door. Apu opens the door,
revealing a lush rooftop oasis.

Lisa: Ohhh, Apu! It's beautiful!
Apu: Yes. This is where I come when I need some refuge from the modern
world. Or, when I want to see drive-in movies for free. [Points
out the drive-in theatre across the street.] I know it is not
easy to be a vegetarian, Lisa.
Lisa: That's why I ran away from home.

-- The naked truth, "Lisa the Vegetarian"

Paul McCartney steps from the brush.

Paul: What? She's leaving home?

Lisa: Wow! Paul McCartney! I read about you in history class.
So where's your wife Linda?

Linda: Right here Lisa. [Appears out of a bush.] Whenever we're in
Springfield we like to hang out in Apu's garden in the shade.

Paul: We met him in India years ago, during the Maharishi days.
Apu: Back then I was known as the fifth Beatle.
Paul: [Rolling his eyes.] Sure you were, Apu.
Apu: You know what Lisa? Paul and Linda are vegetarians too. In
fact, Linda has her own line of vegetarian entrees.
Lisa: Apu, I'm sure the last thing they want to talk about is...
Linda: We weren't satisfied with the other vegetarian meals on the
market. You'd be surprised how often you find a big hunk of pork
in them.

Lisa: Euuuwww!
-- And if you're a _Jewish_ vegetarian..., "Lisa the Vegetarian"

Paul: Linda and I both feel strongly about animal rights. In fact, if
you play "Maybe I'm Amazed" backwards, you'll hear a recipe for a
really ripping lentil soup.

Quote from The Simpsons Archive
You can read more about this episode at:
www.snpp.com/episodes/3F03.html

Search here for when this episode will re-air locally:
http://tvplanner.comcast.net

Another former Beatle has visited Springfield.
Click here for a photo...
www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/15669163/the_simpsons/photo/14

Okay, George Harrison really did visit Benton, IL.

Update: I was telling my family about my webpage regarding Paul McCartney's Springfield visit and mentioned Lisa Simpson and even the Tofu-dogs.

After that my brother (who hasn't visited my website in months) presented me with this card:

Which on the inside stated:

Too funny!

BTW, years ago a friend and I attended a McCartney concert in St. Louis.
One of the news stories was that even though Busch Stadium hosted a full house for the event, only 100 veggie hot dogs were sold. I wonder if the tofudogs mention had something to do with that story.

PS: To Paul...

Check out these photos of EMI Manufacturing in Jacksonville Illinois.
EMI was originally built to keep up with the demand for Beatles albums back in the 60's.

Related links...

Dear Paul McCartney, You're invited to come back to Springfield, IL.

WGN news report link

McCartney sighting sets off Beatlemania

Native Americans & Paul McCartney

Sun Times

80 Acre “all-abilities” park being built in Springfield.
News article

Southwind Park Info page

The North side of Southwind park starts at 2nd street and Abbey Road.