The Front/References

General

References/Trivia

Appearances

Gags

Credits

Quotes

	Season 4 Episode References
← 077 "So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show"	078 "The Front"	"Whacking Day" 079 →

Cultural references

• The episode title is a reference to the Woody Allen movie The Front.
• The first Itchy & Scratchy episode that Bart and Lisa write is titled "Little Barbershop of Horrors", a reference to the musical Little Shop of Horrors.
  • In "Little Barbershop of Horrors", when Scratchy appears inside Elvis Presley's television set, Elvis complains, "This show ain't no good", and shoots the TV. In real life, Elvis was known to react strongly to TV programs he didn't like, and once actually shot a TV when Robert Goulet appeared on it.
• At the time the episode aired, Billy Crystal had hosted The Oscars for three years in a row (1990–1993). He went on to host it in 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2004.
• Strongdar, Master of Akom is a parody of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
• Bobby Mindix doing the Dave's not here sketch by Cheech and Chong.
• Following "Little Barbershop of Horrors", a closing logo is shown which is a parody of the one used by Stephen J Cannell Productions. In addition, Scratchy wears the same shirt that Cannell wears in the 1985 version of the logo.
• One of the nominees against "Little Barbershop of Horrors" is The Ren & Stimpy Show, with the clip shown simply being a black screen with 'Clip Not Done Yet' displayed. This was a reference towards the slow production time of the show, and was also a counter-attack against John Kricfalusi who had made derogatory remarks regarding The Simpsons writers.

Trivia

The credits (click to enlarge)

• The Adventures of Ned Flanders segment was written for the episode as it was initially too short and the writers had tried "every trick in the book" to extend it.
• The Adventures of Ned Flanders short became the inspiration for the season 7 episode "22 Short Films About Springfield".
• The end credits of The Itchy & Scratchy Show in this episode include many crew members who actually work on The Simpsons. Each crew member is credited for their actual role on The Simpsons.

Continuity

• Homer officially earns his high school diploma (a GED) in this episode. In "Homer Goes to College", Homer burns the diploma after he gains admission to Springfield University and chants "I am so smart" while the fire spreads through the living room.
• Homer and Artie Ziff talk about Artie giving Homer money to spend a day with Marge, Homer considers it but is quickly berated by Marge, Artie does actually pay Homer to spend time with Marge in "Half-Decent Proposal".
• Bart and Lisa later write a Christmas television special under Abe's name for Roger Myers, Jr. in the comic story A Springfield Christmas Carol.
• Roger Meyers, Jr.'s secretary is Roxie. His secretary had a slightly different character design and named Miss White in "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge"

Goofs

• When Homer goes onto the stage and says "Oh my god!", his mouth stays in the same position. He also might have meant to say "Woo hoo!"

← Season 3 Season 4 References Season 5 →

Kamp Krusty • A Streetcar Named Marge • Homer the Heretic • Lisa the Beauty Queen • Treehouse of Horror III • Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie • Marge Gets a Job • New Kid on the Block • Mr. Plow • Lisa's First Word • Homer's Triple Bypass • Marge vs. the Monorail • Selma's Choice • Brother from the Same Planet • I Love Lisa • Duffless • Last Exit to Springfield • So It's Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show • The Front • Whacking Day • Marge in Chains • Krusty Gets Kancelled