Homer to the Max/References

Cultural references

 * The TV show Police Cops is an homage to .
 * When Homer complains that the once-heroic character sharing his name was suddenly changed, Marge argues that the character is simply comic relief now, "like in ."
 * The theme song Max composes for himself is a spoof of the  theme song.
 * The Simpsons see a promotional teaser for a show called America's Funniest Tornadoes, an obvious parody of America's Funniest Home Videos.

Trivia

 * A joke at the start of the episode draws attention to a pay dispute between Fox and the show's voice actors that was happening around the time this episode was produced. After noting that the fictional upcoming midseason TV show The Laughter Family is animated, Homer explains, "Networks like animation 'cause they don't have to pay the actors squat!" Ned Flanders is then seen walking past the Simpsons' living room window saying "Plus, they can replace them, and no one can tell the diddley-ifference!" Not only is this a direct reference, Ned's line is also spoken by a different voice actor than normal (Karl Wiedergott; Ned is normally voiced by Harry Shearer).
 * While Lisa explains to Homer what TV producers do to their shows, Mr. Largo and the Capital City Goofball make cameo appearances in the background as she is saying, "They change characters, drop others, and push some into the background."

Continuity

 * The guests at Trent Steele's party include:
 * Neil from "King of the Hill"
 * The executive from "When You Dish Upon a Star"
 * The TV executive who would later be named as Lindsey Naegle. "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" and "Girly Edition"
 * Chilton Danes from "Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington".
 * Homer mentions high-school girl Debbie Pinson. She later appears in Season 20 episode "Take My Life, Please".