Springfield Nuclear Power Plant
In the television cartoon series The Simpsons, the city of Springfield is a "company town" and the company in question is the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant.
- Charles Montgomery Burns, owner and C.E.O. Save for a few isolated absences (i.e. purchase by Germans and brief poverty), he has been the Power Plant's sole proprietor since inheriting it.
Employees
- Waylon Smithers, Montgomery Burns's executive assistant and adoring henchman.His father also worked for Burns. Born around 1954, he is divorced and owns a Yorkshire terrier named Hercules. Initally there was much speculation about Smithers's sexual orientation, but evidence had pointed to him being gay, but officially "in the closet". This distinction may also go to South Park's Mr. Garrison. The writers of the show have admitted that Smithers is, in fact, gay (though he is technically bisexual as he is divorced).
While he has had other boyfriends - in "Homer Phobia", he confronts John (guest-voiced by John Waters) after realizing he lied about having to be with his sick mother - Smithers's great love is Burns. He periodically has fantasies about his boss (in "Rosebud", Burns pops nude out of a birthday cake and signs Happy Birthday, Mr. Smithers). In "Secrets of a Successful Marriage", Smithers's then-wife blames Burns for ruining their marriage. He has openly declared his love for Burns at least twice, most dramactically in "Lisa the Skeptic", when, believing the world coming to an end, Smithers kisses him on the lips; the oblivious Burns dismisses the whole episode.
Smithers has the world's largest collection of Malibu Stacey dolls, is president of the Malibu Stacy Fan Club, and staged Malibu Stacey, The Musical. In what may be a coincidence, Smithers's name is close to that of the Anglo-Saxon god of blacksmithing, Wayland Smith. His name is also an anagram of the phrase "Wants Him Sorely", possibly referring to his affection for Burns.
- Homer Simpson, currently works in Sector 7G as the Safety Inspector and has been with the company in some capacity since the birth of his first child. He frequently takes "leaves of absence" from (or flat-out quits) his job whenever something interesting comes up. This typically goes either unnoticed or without consequence by his superiors. Despite the fact that the safety of the plant - and Springfield - has been imperaled more than once on Homer's watch, he still keeps his job.
- Carl Carlson, along with Lenny, Carl is not just Homer's coworker but one of his best friends since childhood. He is black and handsome, a Buddhist with a masters degree in Nuclear Physics, fond of bowling and having a drink at Moe's. But these are the only definitive details given. He has stated in passing that he has a family and that he's Homer's supervisor, but he mostly keeps things to himself due to his uncontrollably abrasive tongue.
- Lenford "Lenny" Leonard, the nasal-voiced friend and co-worker of Homer. A Chicago native, he is unmarried, a Buddhist, often described as plain looking, and though possessing a masters degree he's undeniably dumb. His living arrangements have included a house that is literally falling apart around him and a beautifully furnished apartment that shares a glass wall with a jai alai court. His relationship with Carl is complicated. Lifelong friends, Lenny clearly adores Carl. Carl is the dominant partner and generally regards Lenny coolly. They are nonetheless constant companions. When Mr. Burns became bankrupt, the bank put Lenny in charge of the plant. He was a very tough manager.
- Charlie, the bespectacled dangerous emissions supervisor. Often quiet and working in the background, he is a known militiaman and can frequently be found at Moe's Tavern after hours.
- Frank "Grimey" Grimes, hired as executive vice-president and immediately replaced, he was assigned to Sector 7G. As a self-made man who suffered through the worst of life's obstacles, he was naturally outraged at Homer's countless faults, both professional and personal, and his enormous success in spite of them (becoming an astronaut; winning a Grammy, etc.). Attempts by both sides to "deal with" their differences only exasperated the situation, resulting in Grimes's freakish and untimely death. He fathered a son (Frank Grimes, Jr.) with a prostitute, who tried to kill Homer in revenge for his father.
- Mindy Simmons, one of the only female employees hired under equal opportunity statute (guest-voiced by Michelle Pfeiffer), and Homer's soul mate. On a trip to promote nuclear power in Capital City, they nearly have an affair. Following Homer's decision not to pursue a relationship, Mindy was dismissed from the plant due to alcohol abuse.
- Jack Marley, a long time employee who was retired against his will.
- Unnamed supervisor, Sherri and Terri's father (no surname ever given), formerly Homer's supervisor.
- Tibor, Homer's co-worker who eventually becomes his superior. He was used as a scapegoat for other employees' mistakes since he was also known as "the guy who doesn't speak any English", and is an unseen character.
- Zutroy, the dangerous emissions supervisor hired when Charlie was temporarily disposed of. He is American as apple pie.
- Canary M. Burns, canary, the one-time legal owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant for reasons of prosecutory evasion by de facto owner Montgomery Burns. Now deceased.
- Unknown, dobermann, the heroic dog made executive vice-president in lieu of previous choice, Frank Grimes in lieu of previous choice, Waylon Smithers.
- Queenie, chicken, a temporary replacement for Homer, deceased and consumed by Homer.
- Stuart, duck, an employee charged with intra-plant waste transport.
- Blinky, three-eyed fish, inadvertent resultant of the power plant's radioactive output and some-time mascot. Actually, one of many so "evolved" creatures found in Springfield's waters.
- Inanimate Carbon Rod, named the plant's "Worker of the Week" after all others but prior to Homer. It becomes famous for saving the spaceship Homer was on with Buzz Aldrin in Deep Space Homer, although Homer suggested its use to close a faulty opening. For its heroism, the rod was named Time Magazine's Man of the Year. According to the SNPP flowchart, the rod out-ranks Homer.
- Brick, another office fill-in during one of Homer's absences.
- Wade Boggs, janitor, softball team player (Knocked out by Barney Gumble in a bar argument)
- Ken Griffey Jr., lunchroom cashier, softball team player (Gigantism caused by overdose of nerve tonic)
- Darryl Strawberry, softball team player (Only professional player not to have a misfortune, although he was taken out(because he and the pitcher were left-handed) during the only game he played at SNPP)
- Ozzie Smith, softball team player (Vanished off the face of the Earth while visiting the "Springfield Mystery Spot")
- Jose Canseco, softball team player (Occupied by rescuing items and people from a burning house)
Related Characters
- A variety of nuclear regulators, safety inspectors, and immigration agents periodically make visits to the plant.
- Aristotle "Ari" Amadopolis, the owner of the Shelbyville Nuclear Powerplant. His relationship with Montgomery resides within the area of competitive mutual respect. He has collaborated with Montgomery Burns on safety measures in the past and been known to meet him in a modest wager. He is based on late Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
- Hans, Fritz, & Horst, the faces of the German consortium that briefly owned the power plant during Montgomery's temporary retirement.
- Mrs. Burns, Montgomery's 122 year old mother from the deep South. She had an unforgivable affair with President Taft, but her capacities are now so limited she can only dial a telephone and yell.
- Larry Burns, Montgomery's illegitimate son. Born in 1940, he has been an all-around failure both with and without the resources his father's station provides. Voiced and modeled after Rodney Dangerfield, right down to the trademark tie tug.
- Lily Bancroft, daughter of Montgomery's Yale classmate Mimsy and mother of his illegitimate son, Larry Burns. She was sent off to be a nun in the South Seas.
- Waylon Smithers Sr., the first administrative assistant to Montgomery and the father of Waylon. He died while preventing a meltdown to save both his son and the town.
- Frank Grimes Jr., the illegitimate son of Frank Grimes due to the latter's apparent fondness for prostitutes. He attempted to exact revenge upon Homer Simpson for his father's early death.
See also: List of characters from The Simpsons
