'The Simpsons' Puts the El Toro Y on the Map ... Finally

It may be hard to believe, but it took until Feb. 20 for The Simpsons to finally give the the El Toro Y—where the 405 freeway breaks off the 5 right outside of Lake Forest—the fame that was long overdue.

In a Fox Television episode titled "Angry Dad: the Movie," Bart Simpson has made a short film based on his father, Homer.  It wins every award Hollywood has to offer as the script skewers every convention Hollywood has to offer.

But Homer hogs the attention at all the award ceremonies, so Bart schemes to send him out of the picture, so to speak—sightseeing on Oscar night.

Back on the red carpet, a TV spokesmodel asks Bart the whereabouts of his father.

Bart, voiced by Nancy Cartwright of Northridge, replies in perfect chamber-of-commerce style:

"I don't know. L.A.'s a world-class city with lots to offer. He's probably enjoying the sights."

And wouldn't you know it, there's Homer "plinking" the Watts Towers, when he is recognized by a car full of homeboys.

And now (at about 16 minutes into the episode) it gets really exciting.  Homer shows the homeboys the list of "must see" Los Angeles sights provided by Bart. They look down the list, and after the "Cerritos Auto Square" but before "LAX long-term parking lot C," we see  "The El Toro Y."

We think they're making a point, and we think that it might not be all that flattering of one. But still: Ah, sweet animated fame.

Click here to see the episode.