Time for another installment of 20 Questions, this time with member Jazzman99.

1. How long have you been watching "The Simpsons"?

Pretty much since the beginning. I remember watching the shorts on the Ullman show, and then watching the Christmas special when it first aired. I can’t claim to have seen every episode, or to have the encyclopedic knowledge of some of the folks around SCS.

2. Who is your favorite Simpsons character?

I guess I’d have to go with Homer, though in any given episode it might be somebody else. Homer’s evolution over the course of the show’s history, from easily angered buffoon to a sort of zen master of passivity and immediate gratification, has been a pleasure to watch, while Bart has stayed pretty much the same and most of the other characters are fairly one-dimensional.

3. What Simpsons character are you most like and why?

Ignoring the whole gender issue, I’d have to say Lisa. I’m fairly smart (and, you’ll note, modest), but tend to be on the fringe of things socially.

4. Are your friends and family fans of the Simpsons?

My father enjoys it—the Simpsons and baseball are two things we can bond over. My girlfriend, sadly, doesn’t care for it (or for most other things I find hilarious-Monty Python, for example). Many of my coworkers are fans, and quotes from the show often fly back and forth over our weekend beers. After enough beers, songs start flying back and forth too.

5. What is your favorite quote from a Simpsons episode?

There have certainly been funnier quotes on the show, but the moment that hooked me forever was from the first season episode where Bart goes to war against Nelson. He’s consulting with Herman, who asks, “How many men do you have?” When Bart replies, “None, sir,” Herman clenches his fist and says firmly “You’ll need more!” OK, it doesn’t sound like much, but I was on the floor. Can’t wait for the Herman figure.

6. What types of Simpsons collectibles do you collect?

WOS is pretty much it for the moment. I’ll get the DVD sets eventually, but since I can watch The Simpsons every day and I’m already spending so much on WOS, I spend my AV dollars elsewhere right now. I do have a couple of other things: the RC skateboard, the PVC chess set, the wind-up tin Homer.

7. What item in your collection is your favorite?

Tough one. What I love about WOS is the sheer size of the line, the impact of seeing all those figures together, so I want to say the entire line is my favorite “item.” If forced to go with one, I’d probably say either THOH2, because K & K are so perfect, or the wind-up Homer, because it was an unexpected gift from my father.

8. What is the most outrageous (or difficult) thing you have done to obtain a Simpsons collectible?

I’m fifty miles from the nearest TRU, and when THOH2 came out I made the drive almost daily, regularly referring to SCS and the latest sightings. It did pay off, as I got a set for retail price.

9. What's the most you ever spent on a Simpsons collectible?

It’s not the most, but so far Moe is the only WOS I’ve had to pay more than retail for--$14 off ebay. Since then I’ve been going through New Force, and Rick is my hero. Since I’ve paid retail for everything else, Moe stands out in my mind as the thing I’ve paid “most” for. Does that make sense?

10. What World of Springfield figure would you most like to see (that has not been announced)?

I’ll confess that I’ve begun to lose track of what has and hasn’t been announced. Assuming she hasn’t been, I’ll say Belle from La Maison Derriere. She has a unique look that would contrast nicely with the other figures.

11. Are you a completist? An opener or a MIMP collector? Why?

I'm a completist, and an opener. I’ve always opened my toys; I just don’t see the point of leaving them in the package, though I certainly wish well to those who do. As for why I’m a completist — again, because they just look so darn cool all together.

12. What are your favorite television shows (excluding the Simpsons)?

Mystery Science Theater 3000, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sports Night, The Sopranos, The West Wing, Home Movies, Friends, WKRP in Cincinnati, Picket Fences, The Twilight Zone, Hill Street Blues, Homicide: Life on the Street, The Daily Show, The Muppet Show, Dexter’s Lab, Sportscenter, Alias, Cracker (British version), Family Guy, Space Ghost: Coast to Coast…you know, it occurs to me that I maybe watch too much TV.

13. What celebrity do you want to see guest star on the Simpsons?

If I say Harlan Ellison, will anybody know who I mean?

14. How and when did you find the SCS site?

I’m pretty sure I first came here because of the plugs MWC was giving the site in his postings on other toy boards, around the time that Playmates first answered questions from the board. I lurked for quite a while before I posted.

15. In what ways do you think the hobby of collecting Simpsons has changed in the past few years?

There’s been a decline in scalper activity, which is good. The fact that pretty much everything can be preordered online is a huge improvement. I think the biggest changes will be in the coming year, with the possible rereleases and the possibility of other attempts to keep the line fresh and moving.

16. What was the first Simpsons item you ever bought?

The Mattel Bartman figure. It was the only thing I got from that line, and it’s now in a box somewhere in my parents’ basement.

17. What is the one Simpsons item you want the most but do not have?

I’d love to have an original production cel, but those are waaaay out of my price range.

18. What else do you collect?

Books and magazine appearance by Harlan Ellison. Books in general, particularly mystery, true crime, contemporary fiction; I could name specific authors, but there are a heck of a lot. St. Louis Cardinals stuff, especially featuring Lou Brock. The New Yorker magazine. The new Muppets toy line. MST3K, on tape and DVD. DVDs in general. Really, though, most of my disposable income is spent in used book stores.

19. Who influenced you the most from the show (be it character, writer, actor, etc.)?

The show’s irreverent attitude—its willingness to make fun of everything, including itself—is valuable to me. I don’t know how much it’s influenced me, but it is similar to my own attitude, and it’s played a part in the development of the persona I use when I teach.

20. Anything you would like to add?

I love this board. The interest, intelligence and dedication that the mods and most of the members bring to it every day make it a daily (often hourly) pleasure, and have certainly fueled and furthered my interest in the WOS line itself (I’d enjoy it even more if everybody knew the difference between it’s/its, their/there/they’re, you’re/your—but hey, that’s an internet wide problem). I just want to offer sincere thanks to everybody who’s made SCS what it is.