Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?/References
Wikisimpsons - The Simpsons Wiki
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
Cultural references
- The title of the episode is a reference to the name of the fictional book Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? from the 1941 film Sullivan's Travels.
- Lisa refers to Charles Dickens when she found out about Homer's lost step-brother Herb Powell.
- The Detroit telephone guide has a picture of Chief Pontiac on its cover. He is known for being part of the Pontiac's War, which took place in the Great Lakes region.
- According to the episode commentary, Herb lives in a mansion that is similar to Frank Lloyd Wright's house, works in a studio similar to the Taliesin studio and Powell Motors resembles Johnson Wax Headquarters. These three were all designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
- Herb and his team of advisers all studied at Harvard University.
- The team tried to name the new car model "Persephone", after the Greek goddess of spring and rebirth. An angry Herb tells them that people want cars with animal names such as "Mustang" or "Cheetah", referring to Ford Mustang and the Lamborghini Cheetah.
- Bart and Lisa play Marco Polo at the pool.
- Homer wants the horns of the car he is designing to play the famous Mexican folk song "La Cucaracha".
- The Itchy & Scratchy Show episode "Sundae Bloody Sundae" is a reference to "Sunday Bloody Sunday".
- The Pope attended "The Homer" presentation.
- At the unveiling of "The Homer", a version of "Whatever Lola Wants" from Damn Yankees plays during the advertisement.
- When Herbert is taking the bus and leaving he says "As far as I'm concerned, I have no brother". This is a reference to the "You're Nothing to Me Now" scene from the The Godfather Part II when Fredo is arguing with Michael.
Trivia
- During the McBain movie, the villains in board room writhe and scream in agony before McBain opens fire.
- Pope John Paul II shows up for the unveiling of The Homer.
- The car that Homer designs (Aptly named "The Homer") is featured in the game "The Simpsons: Hit & Run".
- First appearance of Herb Powell.
- Akira Kurosawa is seen in the Powell Motors boardroom.