The Blue and the Gray/References

References/Trivia

Season 22 Episode References

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"The Blue and the Gray"

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Cultural references

The title is a reference to the song "The Blue and the Gray".
In the beginning of the episode, Homer is tied at the bed. He tries to chew off his leg and says that it will be over in 127 Hours, which is reference to the movie 127 Hours starring James Franco.
- 127 Hours is parodied in "Treehouse of Horror XXII".
The song played at the start is "You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You" sung by Dean Martin.
The song played when Marge and Homer kiss at the end is an instrumental version of "L'amour est bleu", originally recorded by Greek singer Vicky Leandros in 1967.
Homer also compares himself with Wedge Antilles of Star Wars.

This episode reveals that Patty and Selma's hair is only gray due to ash and smoke and that Patty is a redhead, while Selma is a blond.
Homer and Bart's superhero alter-egos Pie Man and the Cupcake Kid appear in the title screen gag.
This episode reveals that the Simpsons are related to Jessica Simpson.

Though in the episode it was revealed that Marge had been gray for years without her knowing, the error in continuity lies in the knowledge: according to "Helter Shelter" and "Secrets of a Successful Marriage" (when Homer told his Learning Annex class that Marge has been gray as a mule since she was 17), Homer and Marge had both already known of Marge's "hair troubles". The 1991 book "The Simpsons Family Album" also includes what is apparently Marge's first gray hair.
The fact that Patty and Selma's hair isn't really gray is also a continuity error.