Difference between revisions of "The Caper Chase/References"

Revision as of 10:49, July 10, 2021

Cultural references

• The episode title is a reference to the 1973 film The Paper Chase.
• The story's plot is a satire of Donald Trump and Trump University.
• The couch gag is a reference to X-Men:
  • Homer is Professor X.
  • Marge is Mystique.
  • Lisa is Storm.
  • Maggie is Wolverine.
  • Bart is Angel.
• Stan Lee makes a cameo during the couch gag.
• Yale University is visited and its mascot Handsome Dan is seen.
  • William Shakespeare is mentioned on a banner.
  • The Capella group are The Whiffenpoofs and they sing "The Whiffenpoof Song".
  • Mr. Burns visits the Skull and Bones society, an undergraduate senior secret society at Yale University. He and a member hold a replica of the skulls of Martin Van Buren, a reference to the fact that the society is accused of possessing said skull.
    • The face on the door, right under the society's logo, is Rich Uncle Pennybags, Monopoly's mascot.
• The University of Phoenix is mentioned, also referencing the fact that its campuses are located all around USA.
• The Full Monty is referenced in the spot for Burns University, and Smithers imagines Mr. Burns dancing like in the movie.
  • The song heard during the scene is "You Sexy Thing" by Hot Chocolate.
• Del Taco is an actual fast food restaurant, headquartered in California.
• Comic Book Guy wears a Starfleet Academy shirt.
• Lisa hands to Homer a DVD box set of inspirational teachers DVDs. The DVDs include Dead Poets Society, Stand and Deliver and Kindergarten Cop.
  • The main characters from all three movies John Keating, Jaime Escalante and John Kimble all make voiced appearances in their respective movies.
  • Homer makes a note of John Keating, played by Robin Williams, being like Patch Adams minus Mork from Happy Days and Mork & Mindy.
  • After, Homer says he cries after watching Goodbye, Mr. Chips.
• A female student says she finally realizes why Gamma radiation turns Bruce Banner into the Hulk.
• The scene where Homer is taken to the compound is a reference to the film Ex Machina.
• On introducing Ken Jennings, him being a Jeopardy! champion is mentioned. The LadyBot clones are then taught stuff with Jeopardy!.
• The male robots are called "Sullies" and they're modeled as Captain Sully who successfully landed on the Hudson River in 2009

Trivia

• Homer shows the students the scene from the HD opening sequence in the Power Plant, with him, Lenny and Carl.
• Homer imitates his voice from the old classic seasons.
• Robert McKee breaks the fourth wall by talking about the time cut that happened after the introduction to the clones.

Continuity

• Part of the Springfield Nuclear softball team that played in the Shelbyville game is playing a softball game. ("Homer at the Bat")
• Professor Frink's robot, LadyBot, appears, with clones of itself. ("Love Is in the N2-O2-Ar-CO2-Ne-He-CH4")