Yokel Chords/References
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Cultural references[edit]
- The whole storyline involving Lisa shows many references to The Sound of Music.
- When Lisa gets told she can be a tutor, she dances on a hill (similar to the opening sequence of the film) and when she introduces herself, Cletus' children walk forward and state their name (a reference to Maria's introduction to the children).
- Some of the songs they sing are based on songs from the film:
- In Marge's dream, she suggests Little Bo-Peep for the title of a James Patterson book.
- The style of the artwork in the sequence in which Bart tells his classmates a story about a murderous cafeteria worker resembles the work of Edward Gorey. A piece of music is used in this scene that is reminiscent of a piece of Astor Piazzolla's music from the suite "Punta del Este" used in the film Twelve Monkeys. This same music is used later when Bart's psychiatrist sees her psychiatrist. The clip is also comparable to that of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.
- Principal Skinner suggests giving Lisa a gift card from The Gap to shut her up.
- The music played when Groundskeeper Willie rounds up the kids is the main title theme to the 1965 John Sturges film The Hallelujah Trail, composed by Elmer Bernstein.
- The relationship Bart shares with his psychiatrist is reminiscent to the way that Tony Soprano and his psychiatrist form a unique bond, with Bart in depression wanting to see her, and the doctor wanting to see more of Bart. Dr. Swanson's psychiatrist also resembles the character of Dr. Elliot Kupferberg from The Sopranos, who was Dr. Melfi's psychiatrist. Peter Bogdanovich plays both roles.
- The video game, Death Kill City II: Death Kill Stories, played by Bart and the psychiatrist is a reference to the Grand Theft Auto series of video games, notably the city stories prequels (Liberty City Stories and Vice City Stories). The rating for Death Kill City II is "Bad for Everyone," which spoofs the ESRB rating, "E for Everyone".
- During "Cultural Things Experience":
- Bart says he dreamed his whole family were cartoon characters and their success had led to Fox News.
- Krusty calls the Spuckler kids the "Smashing Bumpkins", a reference to the The Smashing Pumpkins.
- Krusty told Stephen Sondheim to do what he did in Cats, but Sondheim said he didn't write Cats.
- The ending, with Cletus saying, "Baby, you're the greatest," Cletus and Brandine kissing, the pan to the skyline and moon, with Cletus's face, and the music are all a direct reference to the 50's sitcom The Honeymooners. The theme song for the show, "You're My Greatest Love", plays over the end.
- In this episode, Cletus signs his name with an "x", despite previously displaying a rather elegant signature in "Sweets and Sour Marge".
