Ralph vs. the Wild/References

References/Trivia

Cultural References

The story's title is a pun on the reality/survival show Man vs. Wild.
The story could be considered to parody survival shows in general, but it specifically parodies Dual Survival:
- Dual Survival features two hosts who work as a team in handling survival situations.
- In the story, Bart and Ralph find themselves in a survival situation, like Dual Survival. However, in sharp contrast to the show, whenever Bart accomplishes or discovers something that can help them, Ralph (in his usual bumbling fashion) either undoes it or is found to have previously done something that undoes it.
"Flanders-isms":
- When Ned tells the campers to pair up for the sled race, he says, "Bobsled's your uncle", a wordplay on the UK expression "Bob's your uncle".
- When Ned finds Bart stowing away in his Canyonero, he exclaims, "I'll be a creationist's uncle!", a wordplay on the expression "I'll be a monkey's uncle". Ned's variation is a reflection of his belief in creation over evolution.