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Bart on the Road/References
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Cultural references
- The episode's title derives from the beat novel On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
- The episode is likely an ironic reference to the failed expectations of the 1982 World's Fair, pointing out how structures like the Sunsphere are largely forgotten today. The boys also clearly fail to do proper research, as they see a brochure for the World's Fair in the rental car's glove compartment and believe it is up to date. When they learn the 1982 World's Fair ended many years ago, Milhouse desperately asks "But there is another World's Fair coming soon right? Before Friday?"
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—the hitchhiker that Bart picks up (and gets ice cream for) looks and sounds like the one from this movie (the scene where the boys stop for ice cream, weigh the car, and pick up the hitchhiker is usually cut in syndicated reruns).
- The David Cronenberg film Naked Lunch (based on the works of William S. Burroughs) is referenced when Bart, Milhouse and Nelson sneak into it and are disappointed at how misleading the title is.
- When Bart arrives in Hong Kong, he apparently gets off the plane that is labeled "中華航空公司" (China Airlines), which is based in Taipei.
- The marquee at the theatre at which Andy Williams is performing proclaims "He's Still Got It!", according to Look magazine (though the title folded in 1971).
- This is one of two times the song "Radar Love" by Golden Earring is heard on the show. Fat Tony also requests it to be played on a radio station in "Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge".
- Apparently, one of the acts in Branson pairs Waylon Jennings and Madame (although the marquee reads "Madam").
- Skinner tries to curtail his swearing by exclaiming, "GMChrysler!", a minced oath for Jesus Christ.
- Martin bought an Al Gore doll in Knoxville, which is appropriate for their locale since the former Vice President was raised in and served as senator from Tennessee.
- A clip of the boys' chant, "Knoxville! Knoxville! Knoxville!" was used by the local Fox station in ads to promote downtown Knoxville.
Trivia
- In this episode, Bart gains a fake license. Ironically, in the episode "Little Big Girl", Bart does gain a legitimate drivers license.
- According to his drivers license, Bart's height is 4ft. 0, he weighs 85 pounds and has blue eyes.
Goofs
- It is unknown where Bart managed to park the car overnight between when he returned home to tell his parents of the fake grammar rodeo and when he left since his parents and Lisa, would be suspicious of an extra car being parked at their house.
- Before the car is in the cornfield, Martin is clearly sleeping. His scream can be heard when they drive through the cornfield.
- Bart and his friend's beer disappear when they leave the bar.
- The doughnut which Homer claims has "purple stuff" inside does not actually have filling of any color inside.
- When the two radiation suits are hanging on the wall, they both appear to be adult sized. However, one fits Homer, and the other fits Lisa.
- When Milhouse opens the glove compartment in the car to reveal a guidebook, the lines on the side of the book representing pages disappear, making the side simply look smooth white.
- Diablo Canyon is over 300 miles down the coast of San Francisco, not in the Bay Area as Homer's map displays
- In a long shot of Homer changing the light bulbs, he clearly changes Diablo Canyon's #2 bulb, while #1's is out. However, in both the closeup and in Homer's comment, this is reversed.
- There is some inconsistency with the rules of the highway when the boys are driving alongside the family from Winnipeg. First, both cars are side by side with the boys' car in the left lane and the family's in the right one. When the family turn around, they remain in the same lane but go in the opposite direction.
- Bart and pals switch order somewhat after they crush the car; Nelson is moved to the far right, and Martin to the far left.
- Everyone including Martin stare angrily at Nelson after he makes his remark about Georgia; in the next shot, Martin is in a crouching position rather quickly.
- How did Milhouse get his glasses out of hock? He has them on in the next scene.
- When Bart and friends lose the train, Martin, Bart and Milhouse are adjacent in the far shot, but when the camera is on Bart, Martin is way behind him and Milhouse, panting for breath.
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