Homer performs Signifier, Signed...

Sort of. Reader Daniel writes in that in The Simpson's tenth season (episode 13), Homer gets a taste of fame when a hero in the TV show Police Cops is named Homer Simpson. In a moment of meta-celebrity, his coworker Karl asks for his autograph:

KARL: Oh, can I get your autograph, Mr. Simpson, sir?

HOMER: Sure, what's your name?

KARL: Homer, we've worked together for ten years.

HOMER: (silence)

KARL: It's Karl.

HOMER (signs the paper and slides it over)

KARL: Homer, this is MY name... I wanted yours.

HOMER: Take it or leave it... (glances down at the paper) ... Karl.

Apparently this episode -- originally aired in February 1998, several years before I started this project -- captured the attention of media studies scholars. SIMILE (Studies in Media & Information Literacy Education), a University of Toronto Press journal, published the esssay "Homer Simpson explains our postmodern identity crisis, whether we like it or not: Media literacy after 'The Simpsons'" in a 2001 issue.

The autograph sequence is a quick mention in the essay's discussion of Homer's identity crisis: Watching Police Cops, he (a fictional character himself) identifies with the heroics of the television character who shares his name. Brief fame quickly dissolves when the show's creators turn "Homer Simpson" into a dundering oaf and a laughingstock to both cops on the show and members of Homer's "real-life" community. Distressed at the turn of events, and no longer wishing to see himself (or be seen) in the character, he (in a truly meta moment) tells a crowd, "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you gentleman, but you seem to have me confused with a character in a fictional show."

The connection here? Dan Castellaneta, the real person who voices the fictional Homer Simpson, signed my signature -- which is about as valuable as Homer's is to Karl -- for this project.

Paul Schmelzer as signed by J.Otto Seibold, author of Olive the Other Reindeer

I met J.Otto years ago when he was doing an illustration project at the Walker Art Center; when I hit him up for this project he also threw in a sticker sheet featuring some of his characters.

Paul Schmelzer as signed by Noam Chomsky

While I obtained this signature through the mail, I did have an opportunity to meet the famed linguist, scholar, and author several years ago. When my turn came to shake his hand, the question I'd prepared--about neoliberal economics or East Timor or somesuch--evaporated from my mind, replaced by the blurted confession: "I named my dog after you!"

Best Blogs mention

This site earned a spot on "The Best Homegrown Blogs" list in METRO magazine, according to commenter Leigha at local placeblog MNspeak. Thanks!

Earlier: Kudos from Yahoo Picks, The Morning News, the Rochester Post-Bulletin and others.