Difference between revisions of "The Town/References"

Revision as of 16:42, October 14, 2016

Cultural references

• The title of the episode is a reference to the movie The Town, which also takes place in Boston.
• Homer references the Aerosmith, and Ben and Casey Affleck.
• Marge references The Real Housewives.
• Bart references The Departed and its theme song is sung by the kids in detention and it is later played during the end credits.
• The song The Man in Me by Bob Dylan plays when Bart and Homer are candlepin bowling.
• Boston Americans is a reference to the former name of the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
  • The quarterback is a parody of Tom Brady, the coach is a parody of Bill Belichick, Bonkowski is a parody of Rob Gronkowski, the mascot is a parody of Pat Patriot, and the scandals are parodies of headsets and Spygate respectively.
• Bart (wearing a blue cap) being intimidated by Apu and Sideshow Mel (wearing red clothes) is a reference to the rivalry between the gangs Crips (identified by their blue clothing) and Bloods (identified by their red clothing).
• The Duck family from Robert McCloskey's Make Way for Ducklings are seen when the Simpsons walk by Charles River.
• The Cheers (which takes place in Boston) theme is heard a couple of times during the episode.
• Several references to the Massachusetts area appear:
  • Mass. Ave is a reference to the Massachusetts Avenue.
  • Newbound Comics stickers adorn the wall of the tunnel and the neighborhood Lisa and Bart walk through.
  • "Jordan's Furniture & Motel", complete with a poster for area UHF TV station WSBK-TV's The Movie Loft.
    • This sign also mentions NESN, which is New England Sports Network, and is the regional sports channel based out of the Boston Area.
  • Quinby Ma, is a Parody of Quincy, Ma
  • The sign that says Lawful Seafoods, is a parody of Legal Sea Foods.
  • The Duncan Doughnut's cup thrown at the Simpson's car is a parody of Dunkin' Donuts.
• At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, nerds are seen playing Magic: The Gathering and playing with Oculus Rifts.
• Bobbleheads of Aimee Mann, Steven Wright and Bell Biv DeVoe attack Homer.
• The Bill "Spaceman" Lee Planetarium is a reference to Major League Baseball pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee.
• Cumbies is slang for Cumberland Farms, a regional chain of convenience stores based in Framingham, Massachusetts.
• Dukakis Eyebrows sells eyebrows in the style of Michael Dukakis.
• Filene's Basement's Attic is a reference to Filene's Basement, a chain of department stores.
• Lechmere's was a real retail store chain.
• Nekco is a reference to Necco, the New England Confectionery Company.
• Noam Chomp-Sky's Grinders and Frappes is a reference to Noam Chomsky.
• Robert's Parish is a reference to former basketball player Robert Parish. The stain glass window features an image of him.
• Spenser: For Hire's Gifts is a reference to the TV series Spenser: For Hire.
• A statue of Larry Bird is seen, parodying the Statue of Liberty.
• The statue of Paul Revere is seen.
• People appearing in the crowd scene at the Boston Americans parade:
  • The cast of Cheers (Cliff Clavin, Carla Tortelli and Norm Peterson).
  • Noam Chomsky.
  • Michael Dukakis.
  • Carlton Fisk.
  • Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
  • Ally McBeal from Ally McBeal.
  • The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
  • New Kids on the Block.
  • Conan O'Brien.
  • Bobby Orr.
  • Ted and Mark Wahlberg, referencing Ted, which takes place in Boston.
  • Steven Tyler of Aerosmith.
  • Elizabeth Warren.
  • Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.
  • Steven Wright.

Trivia

• The tunnel scene was slightly edited from the version on the trailer:
  • Homer's line went from "Delicious, delicious rage." to "I've never loved hating anything so much!"
  • Smog was added to the background.
• This episode ended up airing on the Pacific Coast at 9:12pm PT due to overtime of the 2nd 2016 Presidential Debate, and other lead-out programs airing first.

Goofs

• Inside the tunnel, a blue truck is behind the Simpsons family's wagon, after the townie throws a cup at them, there's a car instead.
• The Boston Americans' mascot had no helmet, meaning that he wouldn't be allowed to participate in the play even if he is one of the players.