Difference between revisions of "Five Characters in Search of an Author/References"

Revision as of 11:49, July 31, 2026

Cultural references

• The title "Five Characters in Search of an Author" is a reference to the stage play Six Characters in Search of an Author.
• Upon noticing Matt's piles of money, Bart says that the creator is "like Richie Rich, except straight".
• To open Matt Groening's mansion door, the player has to complete a Simon-style memory game using floor pads that each play a different note. The song successfully pieced together is "The Simpsons Theme", which plays as the door opens.
  • Homer can say that he has an urge to sit on a couch or an urge to send money to Danny Elfman, who composed the Simpsons theme.
• Upon entering Matt's office, Comic Book Guy points out the evil genius cliché as being "a rip-off of Lex Luthor", a constant adversary of Superman.
• Matt introduces himself to the Simpsons by saying, "Your creator is TV's most beloved animation visionary!" Homer replies with "Seth MacFarlane!?"; Seth is the creator of the rival animated sitcom Family Guy.
• Matt's mansion has Futurama-style transportation tubes running along the ceiling.
• During the boss battle of the level, Homer and Bart have to face several copies of Bender and Dr. Zoidberg from Futurama.
  • While creating these "warriors of the future", Matt says, "Say hello to my little friends!", a famous line from Scarface.
  • Insults thrown at the pair include "You were just too weird for network television!" (referring to Futuramas cancellation) and "You're my least favorite Billy West character!".
• Bart says "Akbar and Jeff can't save you now," referencing the characters from Life in Hell.
• The trophy Bart collects in this level is the movie "Krusty Klownface", another reference to the film Scarface.
• Bender can say "Exterminate! Exterminate!" a reference to the Daleks from Doctor Who.
• Matt Groening says "I'm friends with Lynda Barry."
• Matt Groening says "Oh, man, I broke my iPod."
• The paintings in the mansion are parodies of famous paintings:
  • Homer as The Scream by Edvard Munch.
  • Marge as the Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Marge as Le Rêve by Pablo Picasso.
  • The Power Plant as The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.

Trivia

• The original name for this level was "Rhymes with Complaining".
• The DS version of the level has dog statues that shoot bees from their mouths, a reference to the episode "The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular".
• The level has a very different layout and appearance in each version.
• The mansion is full of Simpsons and other character-themed items.
  • Carl and Lenny-shaped trees.
  • A Barney fountain.
  • Mr. Burns head statues.
  • A Simpson family fountain.
  • Chief Wiggum piñatas.
  • A Bumblebee Man sculpture.
  • Patty and Selma statues.
  • The Simpsons and Santa's Little Helper sculptures.
  • Simpsons paintings parodying famous paintings.
  • Paintings of Fry (from Futurama).
  • Paintings of Bongo rabbit and Akbar & Jeff (from Matt Groening's comic Life in Hell).
• When fighting the Blue-haired lawyers, Homer says, "I move for a bad court thingy", which Lionel Hutz previously said in "Marge in Chains".
• The title of this level is a reference to the The Twilight Zone season 3 episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit".
• Homer sometimes says, "How dare you name me after your father!", referencing the fact that he is named after Matt Groening's father.