Bart Gets an "F"/References

Debut Appearance

 * Mayor Quimby
 * Bill (voice only)
 * Marty (voice only)

Cultural references

 * Bart reads .
 * , the publisher of Treasure Island is mentioned.
 * Martin reads  and recounts to the class in a first person narrative in an oral report. While doing so, Martin wears an costume.
 * The gorilla fil' is a spoof of .
 * Bart quotes  when he says 'With God as my witness..."
 * Lisa observing Bart's prayer and saying to herself "Prayer; the last refuge of a scoundrel" is a variation of the saying "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

Trivia

 * In Bart's fantasy about the snowy 4 July, Benjamin Franklin's sled says Don't Sled on Me, a play on the famous serpent flag "Don't Tread on Me."
 * Despite passing the fourth grade, Bart, of course, remains in Mrs. Krabappel's class in all subsequent episodes, since virtually no time ever really passes on the show.
 * During the episode, Bart writes "I will not fake my way through life" on the chalkboard.
 * The idea behind the grade on the refrigerator would reappear in Bart's Nightmare where a letter grade would appear and the mood of the Simpson family would differ, with a scene similar to the ultimate scene in "Bart Gets an "F".
 * Milhouse's voice appears deeper.
 * When Homer askes Lisa what she wants, she says "An absence of moodswings." Since Lisa is only eight years, this should not affect her yet.
 * This is the third episode with Bart's name somewhere in the title.
 * Lisa has dozens of "A" papers covering the side of the fridge door, while Bart only has a picture of a cat he drew in first grade.
 * Bart got a twelve on a state capital test.
 * "Old Red" is the name of Edna's pen for grading tests.
 * When Bart is told to answer the name of the pirate in Treasure Island, he thinks of the correct answer, Long John Silver, in his head before answering Bluebeard.
 * Stock footage from "Bart the General" is used when Bart imagines the future.
 * The promo shot for the episode is a mirrored framegrab from "Bart the Genius".
 * This is the first time, Bart says "Cowabunga".

Continuity

 * In the comic story The Many Faces of Bart, Mrs. Krabappel imagines Bart deliberately never passing the fourth grade just so he can torment her.
 * Ian is seen on the school bus. ("Bart the Genius").
 * This episode's title is referenced in ("Bart's Dog Gets an "F"") and ("Bart Gets a "Z"").
 * Several characters from Season 1 are seen enjoying snow day, including:
 * Daria from "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire"
 * Ian and Ms. Melon from "Bart the Genius"
 * Cowboy Bob from "The Call of the Simpsons"
 * Jacques from "Life on the Fast Lane"
 * Howie from "Moaning Lisa"
 * Sideshow Bob is seen handcuffed to a police officer during Snow Day. Bob was arrested in "Krusty Gets Busted"

Goofs

 * When Martin does his report in the beginning, the blackboard says "An Afternoon with Ernest Hemingway: Reflections by Martin", which disappears in the next shot.
 * Bart's report on Treasure Island consists of two lines, but in some shots it's only one line.
 * Bart's 1st grade drawing of a cat changes.
 * When Bart boards the school bus, his book is opened in the middle, and the page says Chapter 1.
 * Chuck is seen in Bart's class instead of Lisa's.
 * On the school bus Ian has Calvin's colors.