Difference between revisions of "Bart-Mangled Banner/References"

Latest revision as of 09:23, August 8, 2026

Cultural references[edit]

• The episode title is a play on "The Star-Spangled Banner", the national anthem of the United States.
• Lisa asks Marge for a calico cat.
• When Bart thinks him, Lisa and Maggie are going to be sold to become crash test dummies, Lisa hopes it is going to be for the car manufacturer Volvo. Volvo cars have long been marketed as safe and the company uses high-tech safety systems as standard equipment in new vehicles.
• Blondie's famous 1979 single "One Way or Another" is heard when Dr. Hibbert chases Bart.

Bart is chased by a crop-duster plane, parodying the iconic scene in the 1959 spy thriller film North by Northwest

• Bart is chased by a crop-duster plane, parodying the iconic scene in the 1959 spy thriller film North by Northwest.
• Drederick Tatum hits Dr. Hibbert in the face for his "Black-on-black violence" and hits him again in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., who advanced civil rights for people of color in the United States.
• Willie's mother works at a Starbucks in Glasgow, Scotland.
• "The Star-Spangled Banner" is heard before the donkey basketball game starts.
• Lenny's tattoo references Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign, which had Jack Kemp as a running mate for vice president.
• The Springfield Shopper boss wants a writer to overhype Bart's story so much so that it makes the New York Post look like The New York Times.
• The car wash is named When You Wash Upon a Car Wash, a pun on the song "When You Wish Upon a Star", featured in Pinocchio.
• Sideshow Mel uses the nickname Old Glory to refer to the US flag.
• The employee from Sir Putt-A-Lot's Merrie Olde Fun Centre refers to Homer as "Benedict Arnold", the American-born British military officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and was famous for switching sides to the British.
  • An offended Homer accidentally steps on miniature versions of the United States Capitol and Mount Rushmore.
• Moe reveals he is actually Dutch, and leaves the tavern wearing clogs, which are deeply associated with Dutch culture and the Netherlands.
• The cable debate show Head Butt with Nash Castor is a parody of the CNN debate show Crossfire, with Nash Castor being a parody of the then-current host Tucker Carlson.

The can of "Homeland Noodles with Uncle Sam balls" has the style of Campbell's canned soup cans

• The can of "Homeland Noodles with Uncle Sam balls" has the style of Campbell's canned soup cans.
• Apu renames his children as US "things", namely Freedom, Lincoln, Condoleezza, Coke, Pepsi, Manifest destiny, Apple pie and Superman.
• The Rich Texan calls Lisa Saddam Hussein.
• Gertie Feesh plays "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" on the organ at the First Church of Springfield.
  • While being escorted out by the SWAT, Homer sings to the tune of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and mentions Cracker Jacks, an American brand of snack food.
• The "Left-wing celebrities" include:
  • American film director Michael Moore. Moore is a Democrat, and is well known for his progressive views.
  • The Dixie Chicks. In 2003, the band publicly criticized President George W. Bush, which triggered a backlash.
  • Elmo, a character from Sesame Street.
  • Former Democrat US president Bill Clinton, who mentions The Washington Post.
  • A wine expert, who was imprisoned for saying that imported wines are better than Napa Valley wines.
  • The terrorist who was imprisoned for bringing explosives from Canada is a spoof of Ahmed Ressam, known as the "Millennium Bomber", the suspect who planned to blow up the Space Needle on December 31, 1999 but was foiled.
  • American comedian and actress Janeane Garofalo. Garofalo is a Democrat and has been open and outspoken regarding her liberal political views.
• The Simpsons are held at Ronald Reagan Reeducation Center, named in honor to former US president Ronald Reagan.
• President Clinton's attempt to smoke 100 cigarettes at once is a reference to the Guinness World Records.
• The Simpsons perform right after politician and comedian Al Franken.
• The "Government Knows Best" act satirizes the controversial 2001 legislation, the Patriot Act, aimed at fighting terrorism in the United States and abroad.
• When the Simpsons sing "America Rules" to cover their staggered escape from the reeducation center, it parallels the Von Trapps' use of "So Long, Farewell" in their escape from Salzburg in The Sound of Music.
  • Lisa burns an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) card.

The Ronald Reagan Reeducation Center is actually Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the former prison located off the coast of San Francisco

• The Ronald Reagan Reeducation Center is actually Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the former prison located off the coast of San Francisco, California.
• The song "America" by Neil Diamond is heard at the end of the episode.

Trivia[edit]

• According to this episode, Moe is of Dutch heritage.
• The "Donkey-Basketball" story was originally supposed to be in "Bart the Fink", but was cut for time (according to the Season 7 DVD commentary).
• The Chanel suit that Marge is wearing in this episode resembles the one from the previous episode, "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield".
• Bart himself coined the phrase "Bart-Mangled Banner" in the Season 14 episode, "Bart vs. Lisa vs. the Third Grade" (when he altered Lisa's blueprint for the state flag to read "Learn To Fart" instead of "To Fraternal Love").
• Cesar and Ugolin appear in this episode, when the Simpson family is having dinner in the Eiffel Tower.
• The last registered Democrat who helps the Simpsons escape is identical in voice and appearance to Cookie.

Goofs[edit]

• At the donkey basketball game, Kirk and Luann are sitting together despite being divorced.
• During Church, one shot discolours Blue-haired lawyer with grey hair and a blue suit despite later appearing with his typical colours.