Difference between revisions of "Saddlesore Galactica/References"

Latest revision as of 20:38, August 29, 2026

Cultural references[edit]

• The title of the episode is a pun on the American science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica, and to saddle sore, the skin ailment on the buttocks caused by horse riding.
• During the music class:
  • The Springfield Elementary School Band plays "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa.
    • Mr. Largo alludes to John Philip Sousa when he asks Lisa, "What rousing Sousa march would you have us play?".
    • The Ogdenville Band later plays an instrumental version of the march.
  • Milhouse suggests the band plays "Camptown Races", a folk song from the American Civil War composed by Stephen Foster.
  • Nelson suggests the band plays "Little Brown Jug" by Joseph Winner before singing it.
• When the Squeaky-Voiced Teen asks Homer for some ID to verify that he was an actual Vietnam War veteran, Homer refuses and says he fought in "La Choy" and "Chun King". La Choy and Chun King are brands of canned and prepackaged American Chinese food, and not Vietnam War battles or locations.
  • He also uses the name of American stand-up comedian Margaret Cho to refer to another Vietnam War battle.
• The Canadian rock band Bachman–Turner Overdrive (BTO) played at the State Fair.
  • According to Homer, BTO were "Canada's answer to ELP", referencing the English progressive rock band from the 1970s Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
  • Homer also mentions that BTO's biggest hit was "TCB", referring to "Takin' Care of Business".
  • Bachman–Turner Overdrive plays the songs "Takin' Care of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet".
• The Springfield Elementary School Band plays the song "Living in America" by James Brown.
  • Bart considers Lisa a "Sax Machine", a pun on "Sex Machine", referencing another hit by James Brown.
• Homer and Bart teach Duncan to kick field goals, parodying the 1976 American sports comedy film Gus, which centers on Gus, a football-playing mule.
• Lisa writes a letter to former US President Bill Clinton, and highlights the fact that he was a saxophone player.

The fire extinguisher Marge bought at the State Fair was endorsed by both Lynda Carter, best known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman, and American boxer George Foreman.

• The fire extinguisher Marge bought at the State Fair was endorsed by both Lynda Carter, best known for her portrayal of Wonder Woman in the 1970s television series Wonder Woman, and American boxer George Foreman.
• Homer said that he learned everything he needed to know from The Horse Whisperer, a 1998 American neo-western drama film about a talented trainer with a remarkable gift for understanding horses.
  • Before horse whispering, Homer tries to "seduce a lonely housewife" (Maude Flanders), referencing how Tom Booker (Robert Redford) falls in love with Annie MacLean (Kristin Scott Thomas) during the film.
• The "First call", also known as "Call to Post", is heard at the Springfield Downs.
• The horses in the race include:
  • Chock Full o'Drugs, a pun on the American brand of coffee Chock full o'Nuts.
  • Old Levis, a pun on Levi's.
• When Lisa is trying to reach Clinton on the phone, she is offered the opportunity to speak to former Vice President Al Gore.
• During the montage of Furious D winning races, "The Distance" by Cake plays.
• Homer says that he has more trophies than Wayne Gretzky and the Pope combined. Gretzky is considered one of the greatest ice hockey players in NHL history.
• The Secret Land of the Jockeys parodies Loompaland, the place where Oompa-Loompas lived in the 1971 American musical fantasy film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. A chocolate river can also be seen.
• Trevor Denman said to remember the "good little people", such as James Madison or Linda Hunt.
• Trevor Denman asks if this could be the start of a "Planet of the Horses", a reference to Planet of the Apes.
• At the end of the episode, "Hail to the Chief" by James Sanderson plays.

Trivia[edit]

• Maggie does not appear in the episode.
• This marks the final appearance of Maude Flanders before her death in "Alone Again, Natura-Diddly."

Continuity[edit]

• The Simpsons previously had a horse in "Lisa's Pony", as pointed out by Comic Book Guy.
• Marge previously had gambling problems in "$pringfield (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling)", as pointed out by Comic Book Guy.

Goofs[edit]

• Todd Flanders is seen in Springfield Elementary despite the fact that he does not attend the school.
• Duncan has the number 5 written on his sides in the first race. The number disappears several times in different shots.