Stark Raving Dad/References

General

References/Trivia

Appearances

Gags

Credits

Quotes

	Season 3 Episode References
← 035 "Blood Feud"	036 "Stark Raving Dad"	"Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington" 037 →

Cultural references

• At the mental hospital, Homer is introduced to a patient called the Chief who hasn't spoken since 1968, a reference to the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson.
• Bart's first attempt at Lisa's birthday song is sung to the tune of the "Colonel Bogey March", which is best known for being part of the soundtrack of the film The Bridge on the River Kwai.
• Speed dial buttons on the phone in the mental hospital:
  • The Larry King Show
  • Oprah
  • Phil Donahue
  • Geraldo

Trivia

• Snake's prison uniform number is 7F20. The number is the production code for episode 2-20, "The War of the Simpsons." From which this footage of Snake is taken.
• Some of the Springfieldians waiting for Michael Jackson: Mayer Quimby, Moe, Dr. Marvin Monroe, Chief Wiggum, Helen Lovejoy, Apu, Skinner's mom, Groundskeeper Willie, Dr. Nick, Kearney, Grampa, Wendell, Sherri and Terri, Patti and Selma.
• An add appears on the box of Krusty Flakes for the "Krusty Hotline--1-909-O-U-KLOWN".
• When Marge calls the New Bedlam Wrongly Committed Hotline, she is put on hold to the Muzak version of Patsy Cline's "Crazy."
• Signs at the mental institution include: "You don't have to be crazy to be committed here, but it helps!" and "Your mother isn't committed here, so clean up after yourself!" The front entrance says "New Bedlam Rest Home For The Emotionally Interesting."
• Maggie has a doll of Binky, Matt Groening's character from Life in Hell.
• At one point Leon Kompowsky was going to come back to Springfield, but this time he thought he was Prince. Prince rejected the script and the episode was never made.
• It was Michael Jackson's idea to have the scene where Bart and "Michael" stay up and write the song for Lisa.
• Michael Jackson was credited as "John Jay Smith" due to contractual obligations. He did do the voice, however the singing parts were done by Kipp Lennon.
• Before this episode was released various Simpsons eternal media such as books, magazines, Arcade Games etc. had Lisa's age printed as Age: 7, and in this episode Lisa celebrates her 8th birthday, thus this episode is the only time in the series where a member of the Simpsons family officially ages.
• With this episode, Hank Azaria is added to the show's regular ensemble, thus establishing what some fans call the "big six."
• Originally there was a joke about Prince in the episode, but Jackson wanted it changed to Elvis. To keep him happy, it was done. Another script change was in the original, Homer was taking Barney to the asylum, but the staff mistook Homer for the crazy one based off his attitude.
• In a rare occurrence, this episode was re-aired in prime time following Michael Jackson's death.

Goofs

• When Homer is shown on Mr. Burns' security camera, he isn't wearing his tie and plant ID.