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Difference between revisions of "Goo Goo Gai Pan/References"

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|episode=Goo Goo Gai Pan
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{{EpisodePrevNextRef|On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister|Mobile Homer}}
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== Trivia ==
+
== Cultural references ==
* The sack of 10,000 dollars must have been all one dollar bills, as there is no other way that it could have so many bills. Also, the ridiculously huge sack of money appears right next to Wu at first. However, it is gone the next time she is shown. But the way this was shown indicates that this was intentional.
+
*When Selma says the car is too hot, [[Mr. Burns]] says it is actually cooler than {{W|Guy Lombardo}}, a famous [[Canada|Canadian]] band leader.
* Selma's signature is almost as bad as you'd imagine Homer's would be.
+
*Mr. Burns says his car once outraced the {{W|Flying Finn}}, {{W|Paavo Nurmi}}, an athlete who won 9 Gold Medals at the 1920, 1924 and 1928 {{W|Summer Olympic Games}}. Both this and the afore mentioned references are among the many Burns age jokes that have been used throughout the series.
* Although Selma wants to take care of a child in this episode, she had earlier decided not to bother with kids after trouble with Bart and Lisa in [[Selma's Choice]].
+
*The dragons Homer imagines are white, gold, and red, but at the end the white one is green. That [[White Dragon|first dragon]] also resembles the one who appears in ''{{W|Spirited Away}}''.
*[[Robert Wagner]] is the second celebrity this season to host a [[Troy McClure]]-esque video. The first was [[Gary Busey]] in the previous episode.
+
*One of the monks pulls out Homer's heart referencing {{W2|Kano|Mortal Kombat}} from the ''{{W|Mortal Kombat}}'' series.
*[[Maggie Simpson]] inexplicably does not appear in this episode while the rest of the family is halfway around the world. However, it is possible that they left [[Abe Simpson]] in charge of her while they're gone, as he also does not appear in this episode either.
+
*The Simpsons watch a bad performance of {{W|Death of a Salesman}} with a dragon in the back that has 'American dream' written on it.  
 +
*The sign at the acrobatic theater saying 'The show ain't over 'til the thin man in drag shrieks' is a reference to the colloquialism ''{{W|It ain't over till the fat lady sings}}''.
  
== Cultural References ==
+
=== China references ===
*When Selma says the car is too hot, Burns says it is actually cooler than Guy Lombardo, a famous Canadian band leader.
+
*The title of this episode is a pun on ''{{W|Moo goo gai pan|moo goo gai pan}}'', the name of a popular pseudo-Chinese American recipe, based on the Cantonese dish ''mah gu gai pin'', which is composed of fresh button mushrooms and other vegetables with sliced chicken.
*Mr. Burns says his car once outraced the Flying Finn, Paavo Nurmi, an athlete who won 9 Gold Medals at the 1920, 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics. Both this and the afore mentioned references are among the many Burns age jokes that have been used throughout the series.
+
*[[China]] (except for [[Hong Kong]] and Macao) uses the {{W|Simplified Chinese characters}}, but many signs in this episode are clearly using {{W|Traditional Chinese characters|Traditional Chinese}}. However, there are still signs that use Traditional Characters in China.
* The dragons Homer imagines are white, gold, and red, but at the end the white one is green. That first dragon also resembles the one who appears in Spirited Away.
+
*The correct spelling of the place would be "Tian An Men", not "Tien An Men" (as this is the {{W|Wade–Giles|Wade system}}).
 +
*When Selma stands in front of the tank piloted by Wu, the shot is highly reminiscent of the famous image of the Unknown Rebel blocking the line of tanks during the {{W|Tiananmen Square protests of 1989|Tiananmen Square protests}}.
 +
*While flying to China, the plane passes over a monument to "Warrior and spicy chicken pioneer" General {{W|Zuo Zongtang}}.
 +
[[File:Goo-goo-gai-pan-US.png|thumb|200px|right|Flag of the Communist Party of China (first US broadcast of "Goo Goo Gai Pan".)]]
 +
*The original broadcast portrayed the body of Mao Zedong covered by the flag of the {{W|Communist Party of China}} with the hammer and sickle (as is the case in the actual mausoleum). However, in later broadcasts the flag was substituted for the {{W|Flag of the People's Republic of China}}.
 +
*In the Chinese consulate there is a map behind the consulate official showing [[Taiwan]] as a separate country, extremely unlikely given the PRC's position regarding Taiwan.
 +
*There is a plaque reading, "On this spot in 1989, nothing happened", in Tiananmen Square, a reference to the Chinese Government's denial of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. It is also a reference to the year The Simpsons first aired.
 +
**In addition to being a sardonic reference to the massacre, it is a parody of real signs. Available from catalogues, they are mock-historical plaques that say: "On this site in 1897, nothing happened."
 +
*What's written on the adoption paper is gibberish, not Chinese, though this may be a play on the fact that computers which do not have Chinese text support installed may transcribe gibberish and random symbols in its place ({{W|Mojibake|mojibake}}).
 +
*[[Simpson family|The Simpsons]] leave on a Junk from Hong Kong, as evident from the background.
  
== China References ==
+
== Trivia ==
*The title of this episode is a pun on ''moo goo gai pan'', the name of a popular pseudo-Chinese American recipe, based on the Cantonese dish ''mah gu gai pin'', which is composed of fresh button mushrooms and other vegetables with sliced chicken.
+
*Although Selma wants to take care of a child in this episode, she had earlier decided not to bother with kids after trouble with [[Bart]] and [[Lisa]] in "[[Selma's Choice]]".
*China (except for Hong Kong and Macao) uses the Simplified Chinese characters, but many signs in this episode are clearly using Traditional Chinese. However, there are still signs that use Traditional Characters in China.
+
*[[Maggie Simpson]] inexplicably does not appear in this episode while the rest of the family is halfway around the world. However, it is possible that they left [[Grampa]] in charge of her while they're gone, as he also does not appear in this episode either.
*The correct spelling of the place would be "Tian An Men", not "Tien An Men"(as this is the Wade system).
+
*[[Dana Gould]] was in the middle of adopting a daughter from China when this episode was made. Fearing the episode's content might have a negative effect on the process, Gould was credited as "Lawrence Talbot" (the name was taken from ''{{W2|The Wolf Man|1941 film}}'').
*When Selma stands in front of the tank piloted by Wu, the shot is highly reminiscent of the famous image of the Unknown Rebel blocking the line of tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests.
+
*This episode has been banned from China (much like "[[Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo]]" was banned in [[Japan]] and "[[Blame It on Lisa]]" was banned in [[Brazil]]) for the unflattering references to the country, including the scene of Homer saying that {{W|Mao Zedong}} was "like a little angel that killed 50 million people."
*While flying to China, the plane passes over a monument to "Warrior and spicy chicken pioneer" General Zuo Zongtang.
+
**Likely for the same reasons, the episode is notably also omitted from the [[Hong Kong]] version of [[Disney+]], despite being readily available in other countries.
[[File:Goo-goo-gai-pan-US.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Flag of the Communist Party of China (first US broadcast of Goo Goo Gai Pan.)]]
+
*At end of episode, [[Bart]] was replaced by a [[Chinese Spy]] disguised as him. However, the real Bart returns in the [[Mobile Homer|next episode]].
* The original broadcast portrayed the body of Mao Zedong covered by the flag of the Communist Party of China with the hammer and sickle (as is the case in the actual mausoleum). However, in later broadcasts the flag was substituted for the Flag of the People's Republic of China
 
* In the Chinese consulate there is a map behind the consulate official showing Taiwan as a separate country, extremely unlikely given the PRC's position regarding Taiwan.
 
*There is a plaque reading, "On this spot in 1989, nothing happened", in Tiananmen Square, a reference to the Chinese Government's denial of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. It is also a reference to the year The Simpsons first aired.
 
* In addition to being a sardonic reference to the massacre, the sign in the square ("On this site in 1989, nothing happened") is a parody of real signs. Available from catalogues, they are mock-historical plaques that say: "On this site in 1897, nothing happened."
 
* What's written on the adoption paper is gibberish, not Chinese, though this may be a play on the fact that computers which do not have Chinese text support installed may transcribe gibberish and random symbols in its place (mojibake).
 
  
 
== Goofs ==
 
== Goofs ==
*The aircraft the Simpsons and Selma take to China is not capable of a China to America trip.
+
*The aircraft the Simpsons and Selma take to China is not capable of a China to [[America]] trip.
*Homer drives a car in China, but in China, non-residents are not allowed to drive.
+
*When Homer falls from the chairs, he is falling face-down. When he lands on the chairs, he is on his back.
*When Homer falls from the chairs he is falling face-down. When he lands on the chairs, he is on his back.
+
 
 +
{{Season 16|R}}
  
{{Season 16 R}}
+
[[Category:Cultural references]]
 +
[[Category:Trivia]]
 +
[[Category:Goofs]]

Latest revision as of 14:32, December 13, 2021

References/Trivia


Season 16 Episode References
346 "On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister"
347
"Goo Goo Gai Pan"
"Mobile Homer" 348


Cultural references[edit]

  • When Selma says the car is too hot, Mr. Burns says it is actually cooler than Guy Lombardo, a famous Canadian band leader.
  • Mr. Burns says his car once outraced the Flying Finn, Paavo Nurmi, an athlete who won 9 Gold Medals at the 1920, 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympic Games. Both this and the afore mentioned references are among the many Burns age jokes that have been used throughout the series.
  • The dragons Homer imagines are white, gold, and red, but at the end the white one is green. That first dragon also resembles the one who appears in Spirited Away.
  • One of the monks pulls out Homer's heart referencing Kano from the Mortal Kombat series.
  • The Simpsons watch a bad performance of Death of a Salesman with a dragon in the back that has 'American dream' written on it.
  • The sign at the acrobatic theater saying 'The show ain't over 'til the thin man in drag shrieks' is a reference to the colloquialism It ain't over till the fat lady sings.

China references[edit]

  • The title of this episode is a pun on moo goo gai pan, the name of a popular pseudo-Chinese American recipe, based on the Cantonese dish mah gu gai pin, which is composed of fresh button mushrooms and other vegetables with sliced chicken.
  • China (except for Hong Kong and Macao) uses the Simplified Chinese characters, but many signs in this episode are clearly using Traditional Chinese. However, there are still signs that use Traditional Characters in China.
  • The correct spelling of the place would be "Tian An Men", not "Tien An Men" (as this is the Wade system).
  • When Selma stands in front of the tank piloted by Wu, the shot is highly reminiscent of the famous image of the Unknown Rebel blocking the line of tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests.
  • While flying to China, the plane passes over a monument to "Warrior and spicy chicken pioneer" General Zuo Zongtang.
Flag of the Communist Party of China (first US broadcast of "Goo Goo Gai Pan".)
  • The original broadcast portrayed the body of Mao Zedong covered by the flag of the Communist Party of China with the hammer and sickle (as is the case in the actual mausoleum). However, in later broadcasts the flag was substituted for the Flag of the People's Republic of China.
  • In the Chinese consulate there is a map behind the consulate official showing Taiwan as a separate country, extremely unlikely given the PRC's position regarding Taiwan.
  • There is a plaque reading, "On this spot in 1989, nothing happened", in Tiananmen Square, a reference to the Chinese Government's denial of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. It is also a reference to the year The Simpsons first aired.
    • In addition to being a sardonic reference to the massacre, it is a parody of real signs. Available from catalogues, they are mock-historical plaques that say: "On this site in 1897, nothing happened."
  • What's written on the adoption paper is gibberish, not Chinese, though this may be a play on the fact that computers which do not have Chinese text support installed may transcribe gibberish and random symbols in its place (mojibake).
  • The Simpsons leave on a Junk from Hong Kong, as evident from the background.

Trivia[edit]

  • Although Selma wants to take care of a child in this episode, she had earlier decided not to bother with kids after trouble with Bart and Lisa in "Selma's Choice".
  • Maggie Simpson inexplicably does not appear in this episode while the rest of the family is halfway around the world. However, it is possible that they left Grampa in charge of her while they're gone, as he also does not appear in this episode either.
  • Dana Gould was in the middle of adopting a daughter from China when this episode was made. Fearing the episode's content might have a negative effect on the process, Gould was credited as "Lawrence Talbot" (the name was taken from The Wolf Man).
  • This episode has been banned from China (much like "Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo" was banned in Japan and "Blame It on Lisa" was banned in Brazil) for the unflattering references to the country, including the scene of Homer saying that Mao Zedong was "like a little angel that killed 50 million people."
    • Likely for the same reasons, the episode is notably also omitted from the Hong Kong version of Disney+, despite being readily available in other countries.
  • At end of episode, Bart was replaced by a Chinese Spy disguised as him. However, the real Bart returns in the next episode.

Goofs[edit]

  • The aircraft the Simpsons and Selma take to China is not capable of a China to America trip.
  • When Homer falls from the chairs, he is falling face-down. When he lands on the chairs, he is on his back.
Season 16 References
Treehouse of Horror XV All's Fair in Oven War Sleeping with the Enemy She Used to Be My Girl Fat Man and Little Boy Midnight Rx Mommie Beerest Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass Pranksta Rap There's Something About Marrying On a Clear Day I Can't See My Sister Goo Goo Gai Pan Mobile Homer The Seven-Beer Snitch Future-Drama Don't Fear the Roofer The Heartbroke Kid A Star Is Torn Thank God It's Doomsday Home Away from Homer The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star