The Blunder Years/References
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Cultural references
- The episode title is a pun on the TV series The Wonder Years.
- In the chalkboard gag, Bart writes that he is "not Charlie Brown on acid", a reference to Peanuts.
- Marge shows Lisa how absorbant the Burly paper towels are by wiping up some blue liquid on the counter, in a similar manner to countless paper towel commercials.
- Burly Paper Towels is a parody of Brawny paper towels, right down to the lumberjack on the package.
- Mama Celeste appears in Homer's fantasy, threatening him with a pizza cutter.
- Mesmerino calls Mr. Burns "Skeletor," referring to the main villain in the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoons.
- Both Moe saying in a silly voice, "Mmm! That's good Yaqui," and Mesmerino reading his mail with his mind are tributes to Johnny Carson bits on The Tonight Show.
- Professor Frink turns from his usual nerdy self into a smooth make-out artist in an homage to the 1963 film, The Nutty Professor.
- Mesmerino hypnotizes Homer into believing he is Emily Dickinson. However, as Homer runs circles around Mesmerino, he exclaims that he's Angie Dickinson.
- As young Homer, Lenny, and Carl are walking along the railroad tracks, they sing "Mr. Sandman." This scene is also reminiscent of a similar moment from the film Stand By Me. The plot of the episode is also loosely based on the movie.
- A young Carl describes the 'internet' to Lenny as being the "inner netting they invented to line swim trunks."
- The quarry swimming hole is similar to the one where the Cutters hang out in Breaking Away.
Trivia
- At The Pimento Grove, there are pictures showing characters and guest stars including Birch Barlow, Barry White, Bette Midler, Brooke Shields, Stephen Hawking, Rainier Wolfcastle, Johnny Carson, David Crosby, Leonard Nimoy, Anthony and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ron Howard, Paul McCartney, Betty White, Woody Allen, Jay Leno, Ringo Starr, the members of 'N Sync and Bumblebee Man.
- The clip from "Bart the Daredevil" in which Homer attempts to jump over Springfield Gorge is the first memory brought about by the Yaqui tea. The clip has also been seen in the episodes "So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show" and "Behind the Laughter".
- When the whistle blows at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, a burst of flame erupts in one of the cooling towers.
- As Chief Wiggum opens the sewer hatch, Bart can be seen with a rat on his shoulder.
- The opening to the sewer hatch is directly beneath the large stuffed polar bear in Mr. Burns' office.
- Even as a baby, Smithers wore glasses and called Mr. Burns "Sir".
- Marge uses a paper towel to dry her armpits when she thinks Burly is at the door.
Goofs
- At the end of the episode, Homer is placing Smithers Sr.'s skull in a memories box on the coffee table. Moe arrives, and when he sits down, the memories box is gone. After a close-up of Moe's face, the table is gone.
