[[quoteright:247:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/image_66.jpeg]]
[[caption-width-right:247:[[WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie Does this remind you of anything?]]]]
ShoutOut examples in ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''.
[[foldercontrol]]
!!Episode references
[[folder:Season 1]]
!!!Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire
* The title is a parody of the first line of ''The Christmas Song'', "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."
* Bart mentions [[Franchise/{{Peanuts}} Charlie Brown]], [[Literature/AChristmasCarol Tiny Tim]], and Franchise/TheSmurfs.
* Two of the incorrect names for Santa's reindeer Homer says are [[UsefulNotes/RichardNixon Nixon]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Dixon Donna Dixon]].
!!!Bart the Genius
* Maggie spells [[UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein E = MC Squared]] with blocks.
* The family goes to see ''Theatre/{{Carmen}}''.
* The episode opens with the family playing TabletopGame/{{Scrabble}}.
!!!Homer's Odyssey
* The title is a pun on the Greek poem ''Literature/TheOdyssey'' by Creator/{{Homer}}.
* Bart sings "John Henry was a Steel Driving Man", an American folk song.
!!!There's No Disgrace Like Home
* The title is a pun on the line "There's no place like home" from ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''.
* Burns' Manor, as always, resembles Kane's mansion from ''Film/CitizenKane''. The sign "Stately Burns' Manor" was lifted from the ''Series/Batman1966'' TV show.
* Mr. Burns was originally based on UsefulNotes/RonaldReagan, although the writers kept his habit of greeting his employees by index cards.
* Marge (drunkenly) leads the other female party guests in a rousing rendition of Dean Martin's "Hey Brother, Pour The Wine" from 1964.
* ''Film/{{Freaks}}'' is referenced when the family (in Homer's hallucination) repeats "One of us".
* The "shock therapy" was based on Creator/LaurelAndHardy throwing pies at each other.
!!!Bart the General
* Bart claims one of the only good wars to be UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution, UsefulNotes/WorldWarII and the ''Franchise/StarWars'' trilogy.
* Herman's voice was based on that of then-President UsefulNotes/GeorgeHWBush. He also has the Declaration of War of the Franco-Prussian War.
* The training montages parody ''Film/{{Patton}}'' (specifically the music) and ''Film/FullMetalJacket''. Grandpa even refers to Gen. UsefulNotes/GeorgeSPatton by name. There is also a passing reference to ''Film/TheLongestDay''.
* A boy in a sailor suit kisses Lisa, a parody of the photo of V-E Day in Times Square.
!!!Moaning Lisa
* The title is a pun on ''Art/TheMonaLisa'' painting.
* Bleeding Gums Murphy was based on blues musician Blind Lemon Willie.
* The video game Homer and Bart are playing is a parody of ''VideoGame/PunchOut'', which also features a character similar to one in ''Life in Hell''.
!!!The Call of the Simpsons
* The title is a parody of ''Literature/TheCallOfTheWild.''
* At one point Homer does the Franchise/{{Tarzan}} yell.
* After Homer is mistaken for {{Bigfoot|SasquatchAndYeti}}, a supermarket tabloid not unlike ''National Enquirer'' publishes stories like "I Married Bigfoot" and "The Bigfoot Diet: Pork Chops: Aplenty".
!!!The Telltale Head
* The title and plot are based off the story ''[[Creator/EdgarAllanPoe The Telltale Heart]]''.
* Bart finding the head of Jebediah Springfield next to him in bed is a reference to ''Film/TheGodfather.''
* The Chalkboard gag was "[[HesJustHiding I did not see]] Music/ElvisPresley."
* Apu got his name from Creator/SatyajitRay's [[Literature/PatherPanchali eponymous trilogy]].
!!!Life on the Fast Lane
* The title comes from Music/TheEagles' song "Life in the Fast Lane."
* Marge's fantasy echoes the Creator/FredAstaire and Creator/GingerRogers film ''Film/TheGayDivorcee''.
* The last scene is a parody of the ending to ''Film/AnOfficerAndAGentleman''.
!!!Homer's Night Out
* When Apu tells Homer that he looks familiar (due to seeing him on the incriminating photo), Homer believes he's confused him for [[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones Fred Flintstone]].
* During the bachelor party the guys sing "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle_Bill_%28song%29 Barnacle Bill the Sailor]]."
!!!The Crepes of Wrath
* The title is a pun on the novel ''Literature/TheGrapesOfWrath''.
* The two men who "take care" of Bart while he is in France are named César and Ugolin, the male leads from ''Jean Le Florette'' and ''Film/ManonDesSources''.
* The foreign exchange kid is named after former Albanian leader Elver Hoxha.
* The road to the chateau includes scenes depicted in several famous paintings, notably ''Bassin aux nymphéas'' by Creator/Claud Monet, ''Champ de blé aux corbeaux'' by Creator/VincentVanGogh, ''Le rêve'' by Henri Rousseau and ''Art/LeDejeunerSurLHerbe'' by Édouard Manet.
* Maggie has a red balloon, a reference to the classic French children's film ''Le Ballon Rouge''.
!!!Krusty Gets Busted
* ''Theatre/ALittleNightMusic'': When Chief Wiggum orders the clowns on the police line-up to come out, he says "Send in the clowns", a nod to the musical, titled after [[Music/WolfgangAmadeusMozart Mozart's]] ''Music/EineKleineNachtmusik'', which is used as the theme for Sideshow Bob's show.
* Krusty's shot behind bars is a reference to the closing credits of ''Series/{{The Prisoner|1967}}'', with the background music resembling the theme from ''Series/MissionImpossible''.
* The "Day the Laughter Died" title on the newscast references both "The Day the Music Died" and a then-recent Andrew Dice Clay album of the same name.
* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooWhereAreYou'': When Sideshow Bob is arrested, he admits his crime and that he intended to frame Krusty, exclaiming, "I would have gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for YouMeddlingKids," referring to the common ending line of most episodes where the Mystery Inc. kids foil criminal activity.
* Sideshow Bob reads ''Literature/TheManInTheIronMask'' to the audience.
* Music/ColePorter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" is sung in the episode.
!!!Some Enchanted Evening
* ''Series/AmericasMostWanted'': The television series "America's Most Armed and Dangerous" (where Mrs. Botz's true identity is revealed to the kids) is a parody.
* ''Theatre/SouthPacific'': The episode title is taken from a song from the 1949 musical.
* Ms. Botz's pursuit of Bart into the cellar is reminiscent of Creator/RobertMitchum's pursuit of a young boy in ''Film/TheNightOfTheHunter.''
* Homer hums "Patricia", a 1958 song by Damaso Perez Prado, which is also played at a restaurant.
* Moe's Tavern plays "The Man That Got Away" from the 1954 remake of ''Film/AStarIsBorn1954''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 2]]
!!!Bart Gets an F
* Bart makes a hastily-cooked book report on ''Literature/TreasureIsland'' while Martin presents ''Literature/TheOldManAndTheSea''.
* The movie Homer watches on TV resembles ''Film/MightyJoeYoung''.
* The people of Springfield stand and sing in a circle, as in the ending of ''Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas'' and sing "Winter Wonderland".
!!!Simpson and Delilah
* The title is a pun on the legend of ''Samson and Delilah''.
* The scene with Homer running through town with his new hair is a parody of ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife''
* The scene where Homer gets the executive washroom key is a parody of ''Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?''.
!!!Treehouse of Horror
* The episode was inspired by EC's horror comics of the early 1950s, particularly ''Tales from the Crypt''.
* The "warning" segment was based on the prologue to ''Film/{{Frankenstein|1931}}''
* Among the gravestones in the opening scene include stones for {{ComicStrip/Garfield}}, Music/TheGratefulDead, [[WesternAnimation/CasperTheFriendlyGhost Casper the Friendly Boy]] and Music/PaulMcCartney.
* The first segment is somewhat a parody of ''Film/TheShining'', ''Film/TheAmityvilleHorror1979'' and ''Film/{{Poltergeist|1982}}''.
* The second segment is a parody of "[[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS3E89ToServeMan To Serve Man]]" from ''Series/{{The Twilight Zone|1959}}''.
** Kang and Kodos are named after two characters from ''Franchise/StarTrek'', a Klingon captain and an executioner respectively.
* The third segment tells the story of ''Literature/TheRaven''.
* Bart says that the first ''Franchise/FridayThe13th'' movie is tame compared to later films in the series.
!!!Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish
* Burns' campaign speech is a recreation of the famous scene from ''Film/CitizenKane''. His trashing of the Simpson's dining room is reminiscent from another scene from the film.
* Mary Bailey was named after the wife of the protagonist of ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife''.
* The title refers to a Republican Party circular used to promote UsefulNotes/HerbertHoover in 1928 that promised "a chicken in every pot and a car in every backyard ([[BeamMeUpScotty not garage]])."
* The "Blinky" campaign ad parallels UsefulNotes/RichardNixon's "Checkers speech" in the 1952 campaign. The ad also features an actor portraying UsefulNotes/CharlesDarwin to claim the three-eyed fish is a result of evolution.
* The clip of Burns driving a tank was lifted from Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign in 1988.
* A 1992 re-run of the episode remade the "chalkboard gag" to mock then-VP Dan Quayle's "potatoe fayle".
!!!Dancin' Homer
* Part of Homer's routine resembles that of legendary Baltimore Orioles fan Wild Bill Hagy.
* Homer dances to the tune of the "Baby Elephant Walk".
* Homer's line, "Today, as I leave for Capital City, I consider myself the luckiest mascot on the face of the earth" that he says in his farewell speech to the Springfield fans, is a reference to Lou Gehrig's farewell speech, immortalized in the 1942 baseball film ''Film/ThePrideOfTheYankees''.
* "Capitol City" is a parody of "New York, New York".
!!!Dead Putting Society
* Bart stands in the crane stance spoofing ''Film/TheKarateKid''.
* The title is a reference to ''Film/DeadPoetsSociety''.
!!!Bart vs. Thanksgiving
* Bart doesn't know about the [[WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle Bullwinkle]] and WesternAnimation/{{Underdog}} parade balloons, also a reference to the fact that year's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade featured a Bart balloon.
* The group "Hooray for Everything" is based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_with_People Up with People]]. They perform "Get Dancing" by Disco-Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes.
* Lisa's centerpiece includes Georgia O'Keeffe, Susan B. Anthony and Marjory Stoneman Douglas.
!!!Bart the Daredevil
* One of the wrestlers on TV is called Rasputin.
* The school band performs Music/FranzSchubert's ''Unfinished Symphony''.
* The "Truck-O-Saurus" is a parody of Robosaurus.
* Lance Murdoch is a parody of UsefulNotes/EvelKnievel.
* Doctor Hibbert is a clear parody of Cliff Huxtable. The show ran against ''Series/TheCosbyShow'' at the time. He was initially to be a ''woman'' named Julia, a reference to comic actress Julia Sweeney (then called Hibbert through marriage).
* There's a lot of patients that attempted to imitate TV and movie characters like ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''. There's also a separate "[[Film/TheThreeStooges three stooges]]" ward.
* Bart's arrival to Springfield Gorge is taken from ''Film/LawrenceOfArabia''.
!!!Itchy & Scratchy & Marge
* The "new" ''Itchy and ''(not "&")'' Scratchy'' show is a jab at the saccharine cartoon shows of the 1980s.
* The scene where the children go out and play is a reference to the "Pastoral Symphony" segment from ''{{WesternAnimation/Fantasia}}''.
* At the end of the scene some kids are intrigued by Nelson [[Literature/TheAdventuresOfTomSawyer white-washing a fence]].
* Maggie hitting Homer with the mallet is a reference to ''Film/{{Psycho}}''. The PsychoStrings music is present, as are the same shots, and a can of red paint provides SymbolicBlood flowing away in the drain.
!!! Bart Gets Hit By A Car
* The depiction of Hell is based on one panel of ''The Garden of Earthly Delights''.
* The devil introduces himself with [[Music/TheRollingStonesBand "Please allow me to introduce myself"]].
* Bart tells his family about the "trip" to Hell in the same fashion as Dorothy at the end of ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''.
!!!One Fish, Two Fish, Blowfish, Blue Fish.
* The title is a reference to Creator/DrSeuss' ''One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish''.
* When Homer arrives at his home after leaving Moe's Tavern, he hammers on one of the windows of the house and shouts Marge's name, as in the 1967 film ''Film/TheGraduate''.
* Bart and Lisa sing the theme from ''Film/{{Shaft}}'', and another patron called "Richie Sakai" sings Music/{{Cher}}'s "Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves".
* Homer sings "When the Saints Go Marching In" while Lisa plays her sax.
* Homer listens to an audiobook of the Bible read by Larry King.
!!!The Way We Was
* The title references the 1973 film ''The Way We Were''.
* ''Siskel & Ebert & The Movies'' is parodied at the beginning of the episode. The film featured (which introduces [=McBain=]/Ranier Wolfcastle) is a parody of late 1980s-era action films.
* Numerous songs of the early 70s are featured such as [[Music/{{Carpenters}} "Close To You"]] (which became the "love theme" for Homer and Marge),[[Music/SteveMillerBand "The Joker"]], [[Music/{{Chicago}} "Colour My World"]], "Pick Up the Pieces", "The Hustle", [[Music/RayStevens "The Streak"]] and [[Music/EltonJohn "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"]] (which is the prom's theme).
* Music/PinkFloyd and Music/LedZeppelin posters hang in Homer's bedroom.
* There is a debate about the National Maximum Speed Act, which imposed nationwide speed limits in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis.
* Artie includes a ''Time'' article as an argument for Marge to accept his invitation.
* The girl Barney asks to the prom wouldn't go with him even if he were Elliott Gould.
* Shakespeare Fried Chicken doubles as a reference to [[Literature/WilliamShakespeare The Bard]] and a parody of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
!!!Homer vs. Lisa & The 8th Commandment
* Drederick Tatum is a parody of Creator/MikeTyson.
* Mr. Burns remembers a fight between 19th century boxer James Corbett and "an Eskimo fellow".
* Troy [=McClure=] is a parody of actors Troy Donahue and Doug [=McClure=].
* The family watches ''Film/{{Jaws}}'', ''Film/DieHard'', and ''Film/WallStreet'' on cable.
* Homer standing in front of the cable truck resembles a scene in ''Film/NorthByNorthwest''.
* The film "Broadcast Nudes" is a reference to ''Film/BroadcastNews'', made by showrunner Creator/JamesLBrooks.
!!!Principal Charming
* The title is an obvious pun on the term "prince charming".
* In a parody of ''Film/{{Vertigo}}'', Skinner climbs the [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness school bell tower]] to investigate the tetrasulfatum incident.
* Hans Moleman's license says his name is "Ralph Melish", the same as a character from a ''Creator/MontyPython'' album.
* Homer searches for a man worthy of Selma with a "computer-enhanced vision" in the vein of ''Film/{{Westworld}}'' and ''Film/TheTerminator''.
* Skinner sings "Inchworm" on his way to Patty and Selma's apartment. Selma sings Lisa "Brandy" in a lullaby style.
* There are fleeting references to ''[[Film/TheHunchbackOfNotreDame1939 The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' (1939) and ''Film/GoneWithTheWind''. Patty bids Skinner farewell by saying "Goodnight, sweet principal", a reference to ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}''.
!!!Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
* The episode's title is a reference to a fictional book from ''Film/SullivansTravels''
* The end of the ''[=McBain=]'' film mirrors that of the classic ''Film/JamesBond'' movies.
* Herb refers to the Ford Mustang and the Lamborghini Cheeta when citing car naming conventions, berating his staff for suggesting "Persephone".
* Herb's house resembles Frank Lloyd Wright's residence. His studio is based on the Tailesin school of architecture and the factory resembles the Johnson Wax Headquarters, both also designed by Wright.
* Homer's tacky automobile design mirrors the Edsel, the Tucker Torpedoa and the [=DeLorean=] DMC 12. These automobiles were reviled and their respective companies went under just like Powell Motors.
* The Homermobile's horn plays "La Cucaracha".
!!!Bart's Dog Gets an F
* The Hibberts resemble [[Series/TheCosbyShow the Huxtables]].
* Flanders' "Assassins" sneakers are a parody of [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Nike Air Jordans]].
* The music from ''Jaws'' plays whenever Santa's Little Helper is about to attack something.
* Lisa touching Marge's finger is a reference to ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial''.
* The Bouviers' quilt features Bufallo Bill's Wild West shows and the 1929 stock crash in separate frames. Robert Capa's ''[[UsefulNotes/SpanishCivilWar The Falling Soldier]]''
* The category Santa's Little Helper is assigned at obedience school is called "Literature/{{Cujo}}", the other categories being named "Rin Tin Tin", "Toto" and "Benji".
* The school's instructor is a parody of UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher, also being based on British dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse.
* The fates of the dogs at the school are a parody of the ending of ''Film/AnimalHouse''.
!!!Old Money
* The scene with Grampa and Bea eating their pills is a parody of ''Film/TomJones''.
* "Diz-Nee-Land" is an obvious spoof of Disneyland, but it's "not affiliated with anything from The Walt Disney Company".
* The song "Embraceable You" is played during the episode.
* Grampa sitting at a diner mirrors the painting ''Nighthawks''.
* Among those in line for Grampa's money are Darth Vader and the Joker.
* The "Monroe Box" is a parody of "Skinner's Box".
* Grampa recites Creator/RudyardKipling's "If--" before trying to bet his money at the casino.
* The climax references the ending of the 1932 film ''If I Had a Million''.
!!!Brush with Greatness
* The design of "[=H2WHOA=]!" is based on the staircases in ''Ascending and Descending''.
* Krusty takes his make-up off like the Joker in ''Film/Batman1989''.
* Homer's line "As God is my witness, I'll always be hungry again!" is a twist on a line from ''Gone with the Wind''.
* Homer's training resembles that of ''Film/{{Rocky}}''.
* The music from ''Film/TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly'' plays as Homer approaches the scale.
* Creator/AndyWarhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans" appears at the museum.
* Smithers reads Mr. Burns a ''ComicStrip/{{Ziggy}}'' comic strip.
!!!Lisa's Substitute
* When she tries to hit on him, [[Creator/DustinHoffman Mr. Bergstrom]] says "[[Film/TheGraduate Mrs. Krabappel, you're trying to seduce me.]]".
* Mr. Bergstrom reads a line from ''Literature/CharlottesWeb'', implying that it's the last (this to avoid being sued).
* The school paper prematurely prints that Bart won the class election instead of Martin.
!!!The War of the Simpsons
* The songs played at the party include [[Music/TomJones "It's Not Unusual"]], "The Look of Love", "That's the Way (I Like It)" and "Wichita Lineman".
* Homer' [[SelfServingMemory false memory]] of the party is a reference to the Algonquin Round Table, complete with Hirschfeld-esque art.
* Marge blares the "Mexican Hat Dance" on the car radio so the kids won't listen her and Homer argue.
* Bart's torment of his babysitter is a reference to ''Film/TheOmen''.
* The photo of [[StockNessMonster Captain Sherman]] is a parody of the hoax picture of the Loch Ness Monster.
* John and Gloria are a parody of George and Martha from ''Film/WhosAfraidOfVirginiaWoolf''.
* Homer's battle with Captain Sherman is reminiscent of ''Literature/TheOldManAndTheSea'' and ''Literature/MobyDick''.
!!!Three Men and A Comic Book
* Bart and Lisa ponder if ComicBook/RichieRich and ComicBook/CasperTheFriendlyGhost are one and the same. Homer then mentions Franchise/WonderWoman.
* The origin of ''Radioactive Man'' is similar to the one from ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk''.
* The ''Radioactive Man'' film serial is a reference to ''Series/TheAdventuresOfSuperman'', with a mention to the mysterious death of George Reeves as well as that of Bob Crane. The Laramie advertising is a reference to ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' pitching for Winston cigarettes in its early seasons.
* Homer asks Bart if the comic he wants to buy was done by Creator/MichelangeloBuonarroti ([[{{Malaproper}} or "Micha-ma-langelo"]]).
* The end of Act I is a spoof of ''Series/TheWonderYears''.
* Milhouse originally intended to buy a 1973 Topps card of Carl Yastrzemski "when he had the big sideburns".
* Bart's screaming after being applied iodine mirrors a scene from ''Gone with the Wind''.
* After unwrapping the comic book, Martin says it's "[[Film/TheMalteseFalcon1941 the stuff dreams are made of]]".
* The conflict between Bart, Milhouse and Martin mirrors the one in ''Film/TheTreasureOfTheSierraMadre''.
* After Martin squeals, Bart calls him "Piggy" and threatens to put an apple in his mouth, a reference to ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies''.
* Bart saving Milhouse from falling is a reference to ''Film/{{Saboteur}}''
!!!Blood Feud
* The setting of the scene where Mr. Burns' health is discussed was inspired by ''Film/CitizenKane''.
* Otto is heard listening Music/BlackSabbath's "Iron Man".
* The ghost-writer Burns hires wrote ''Like Hell I Can't'', a parody of Creator/SammyDavisJr's auto-biography ''Yes, I Can''.
* Homer's angry letter to Burns and his later attempts to retrieve it was lifted from an episode of ''Series/TheHoneymooners''.
* The mural at the post office resembles Creator/MichelangeloBuonarroti's ''[[Art/SistineChapel Creation of Adam]]''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 3]]
!!!Stark Raving Dad
* Some scenes in the mental hospital parody ''Literature/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest''.
!!!Mr. Lisa Goes to Washington
* The title and plot are a reference to ''Film/MrSmithGoesToWashington.''
* The ''Reading Digest'' magazine is a parody of ''Reader's Digest''.
!!!When Flanders Failed
* Kearney mockingly calls Bart Film/TheKarateKid.
!!!Bart the Murderer
* The episode parodies ''Film/GoodFellas''.
* All of the horses in one race are named after famous cartoon characters: [[WesternAnimation/BugsBunny "Ain't I a Stinker?"]], [[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones "Yabba Dabba Doo"]], [[WesternAnimation/SylvesterTheCatAndTweetyBird "Sufferin' Succotash"]], [[WesternAnimation/PorkyPig "That's All Folks"]], [[ComicStrip/{{Popeye}} "I Yam What I Yam"]], and Bart's own catchphrases "Eat my shorts" and "Don't have a cow".
* Skinner's escape is a parody of ''Series/{{MacGyver|1985}}''
!!!Homer Defined
* The ''USA Today'' [[UsefulNotes/AmericanNewspapers newspaper]] appears at the beginning of the episode.
!!!Like Father Like Clown
* The plot is based on ''Film/TheJazzSinger''. Rabbi Krustofsky indirectly references it at one point.
* Homer is surprised to learn that Creator/MelBrooks is Jewish.
* Krusty sings "O Mein Papa" when he is reunited with his father.
!!!Treehouse of Horror II
* Lisa's nightmare ("The Monkey's Paw") is based on the short story of the same name and an episode of the 1980s ''[[Series/TheTwilightZone1985 Twilight Zone]]''.
* Bart's nightmare ("The Boy") is based on an episode of the original ''[[Series/TheTwilightZone1959 Twilight Zone]]'' called "It's a Good Life'', later adapted into a segment of the [[Film/TwilightZoneTheMovie 1983 movie]] which marked Creator/NancyCartwright's film debut.
* Homer's nightmare ("If I Only Had A Brain"), apart from being based on ''Literature/{{Frankenstein}}'', appears to reference a scene from ''Film/RoboCop2'' in which a man's brain is removed from his body and his cranium is cut right off with a bonesaw. This also happens to Homer except his cranium is disposed of carelessly, making a hilarious china-bowl noise as it hits the ground.
!!!Lisa's Pony
* Lisa's discovering of her pony is a reference to ''Film/TheGodfather'''s "horse head scene".
* Homer's dream is drawn in the style of ''ComicStrip/LittleNemo in Slumberland''.
* Grandpa plays a video game that's an obvious homage to ''VideoGame/{{Asteroids}}''.
!!!Saturdays of Thunder
* The title is a play on ''Film/DaysOfThunder''.
* The ''[=McBain=]'' movie mirrors a scene in ''Film/LethalWeapon''.
* Homer is given a copy of Creator/BillCosby's book ''Fatherhood''.
* There is a reference to the chariot race in ''Film/BenHur1959''.
!!!Flaming Moe's
* Several references to ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' are made, including the Flaming Moe's montage.
* At the end of the episode, a plethora of "Flaming Moe's"-like bars appear, a parody of the many "Ray's Pizza" establishments in New York.
!!!Burns Verkaufen der Kraftwerk
* Burns sings "Brother, Can You Spare Me A Dime?" while strolling through the plant.
* Horst claims to resemble [[Series/HogansHeroes Sgt. Schultz]].
!!!I Married Marge
* The title references the sitcom ''I Married Joan''.
* Young Homer and Marge see ''Film/TheEmpireStrikesBack'' on a date. Homer then spoils [[LukeIAmYourFather the twist]] to the people waiting in line for the next showing.
* A Farrah Fawcett poster hangs on Barney's apartment.
!!!Radio Bart
* The episode parallels similar "falling-in-a-well" incidents that ended in tragedy, most particularly that of Jessica [=MacClure=], whose case had been covered in ''Film/RadioDays''. Whether the episode's title is a reference or not to the film is unknown.
* The song "We're Sending Our Love Down The Well" is a parody of "Music/WeAreTheWorld".
* A place where someone's trapped becoming a tourist trap, surrounded by attractions and shops selling food and merchandise, is all taken from ''Film/AceInTheHole1951''.
!!!Lisa the Greek
* The title and the character "Smooth" Jimmy Apollo are references to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Snyder_%28sports_commentator%29 Jimmy the Greek]].
* Duff Bowl was a reference to the series of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Bowl Bud Bowl]] "games" that would play during the Super Bowl at the time.
!!!Homer Alone
* The title and Homer's scream is a nod to ''Film/HomeAlone''.
* The opening scene has Homer chasing Bart as if they were WesternAnimation/WileECoyoteAndTheRoadRunner, complete with "scientific names".
* Marge's roar to the angry bystander sounds a lot like the Creator/{{M|etroGoldwynMayer}}GM lion roar.
* This episode establishes Patty and Selma's obsession with ''Series/{{MacGyver|1985}}''.
!!!Bart the Lover
* The film about zinc is a parody of 1950s-era educational films.
* Bart borrows the name of Edna's "pen pal" from President UsefulNotes/WoodrowWilson. The picture is of hockey player Gordie Howe.
!!!Homer at the Bat
* The title is a reference to "Casey at the Bat".
* The music that plays before Homer uses his Wonder Bat is similar to music used in ''Film/TheNatural''.
* Burns' softball team lineup features some players from the 19th century, among them Honus Wagner, Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown and Jim Creighton, who had died in ''1862''.
!!!Separate Vocations
* The opening of the second act is a reference to Quinn Martin cop shows.
* [[Film/BeverlyHillsCop "Axel F"]] plays while Bart and Skinner look for the teachers' books.
!!!Dog of Death
* Kent Brockman notes Creator/ShirleyJackson's "Literature/TheLottery" is not a guide to winning the lottery, but a chilling tale about conformity gone mad.
* ''Fatherhood'' is among the books at the fireside.
* The doctor is a parody of ''Ben Casey''.
* The brainwashing scene references ''Film/AClockworkOrange''.
!!!Colonel Homer
* The title is based on Colonel Tom Parker, Music/ElvisPresley's manager.
* Homer says Lurleen's song hasn't stuck to him so hard since "Funkytown" by Lipps Inc.
* The variety show ''Ya-Hoo!'' is a parody of ''Series/HeeHaw''.
* The plot was inspired by ''Film/CoalMinersDaughter''.
!!!Black Widower
* ''Series/{{Dinosaurs}}'' is parodied at the start of the episode.
* Bob and Selma sing [[Creator/FrankSinatra "Something Stupid"]].
* Bob and Krusty's reunion mirrors the reunion between Creator/DeanMartin and Creator/JerryLewis at a telethon. Krusty's Al Hirschfeld-style caricature is a parody of that of Lewis.
* Sideshow Bob's prisoner number is [[Literature/LesMiserables 24601]].
!!!The Otto Show
* [[Film/ThisIsSpinalTap Spinal Tap]] appear as "themselves."
* Homer sings "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Flea Spanish Flea]]" while waiting in the car.
* Homer finds a can of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Beer Billy Beer]] in his old jacket.
!!!Bart's Friend Falls in Love
* The opening scene is based on ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk''.
* Millhouse compares his tragic relationship with Samantha to ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet''.
* The final scene is a parody of ''Film/{{Casablanca}}''.
!!!Brother Can You Spare Two Dimes
* The title is a reference to "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"
* Homer reminiscences about the couch while watching ''Series/{{Dallas}}'', the "Hands Across America" event, the Berlin Wall coming down and ''Series/GomerPyleUSMC''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 4]]
!!!Kamp Krusty
* The scene where the children make wallets while Kearney beats the drum parodies ''Film/BenHur1959''.
* The method Mr. Black and the bullies flee the camp during the rebellion parodies the ''Film/JamesBond'' series.
!!!A Streetcar Named Marge
* Marge appears in a musical production of ''Theatre/AStreetcarNamedDesire'' and the title is also a reference.
* Homer can be seen playing on a UsefulNotes/GameBoy at one point in the episode.
!!!Homer the Heretic
* Homer dances in his underwear and a shirt, much like in ''Film/RiskyBusiness''.
!!!Lisa the Beauty Queen
* The Duff blimp crashes with a radio tower, to which Kent reacts quoting "OhTheHumanity".
* The scene where Lisa is sworn in as Beauty Queen resembles [[http://i.imgur.com/ZHCQ6lQ.jpg the famous picture of Lyndon B. Johnson being sworn in on the Air Force One after JFK's assassination]]
* Menthol Moose is a parody of Camel mascot Joe Camel.
!!!Treehouse of Horror III
* The intro parodies ''Series/AlfredHitchcockPresents''.
* Bart is dressed like Alex from ''Literature/AClockworkOrange''.
* The "Clown Without Pity" segment parodies the "Living Doll" episode of ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'', while the title is a pun on the song "Town Without Pity".
* The "King Homer" segment is a spoof of ''Film/KingKong1933''.
* The "Dial 'Z' For Zombies" segment is mostly based on ''Film/NightOfTheLivingDead1968'' while the title spoofs ''Film/DialMForMurder''.
!!!Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie
* The ''Star Trek'' film is a spoof of later movies featuring the original cast.
* "Steamboat Itchy" is a spoof of ''WesternAnimation/SteamboatWillie'', while the WartimeCartoon parodies "WesternAnimation/DerFuehrersFace" and Itchy and Scratchy resemble the early-mid 1940s designs for ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry''.
* Lisa mentions Music/MichaelJackson and Creator/DustinHoffman appearing in the movie, being credited with pseudonyms. In "Stark Raving Dad", Jackson was billed as "John Jay Smith" while Hoffman was credited as "Sam Etic" in "Lisa's Substitute".
!!!Marge Gets a Job
* The retirement party at the beginning is a reference to ''Film/CitizenKane''.
* "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's theme)" from ''Franchise/StarWars'' is played when Mr. Burns peruses his surveillance system.
* There's a photo of Burns and Music/ElvisPresley that looks like the Elvis-Nixon photograph.
* A subplot centering on Bart parallels ''The Boy Who Cried Wolf''.
!!!New Kid On The Block
* The sacks of letters addressed to Santa Claus are a reference to ''Film/MiracleOnThirtyFourthStreet''.
!!!Mr. Plow
* Barney's "transformation" as he goes from college-bound student to alcoholic parodies Lawrence Talbot turning into the Wolf-Man from [[Film/TheWolfMan1941 the film of the same name]].
* Kent's reporting of Barney's accident is a nod to Creator/WalterCronkite reporting the assassination of UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy.
!!!Lisa's First Word
* Homer mentions Grampa won a house in a rigged game show, a reference to the 1950s quiz show scandal.
* There is a reference to "Where's the beef?", both a slogan for Wendy's and a quote by UsefulNotes/WalterMondale criticizing an opponent.
* The Krusty Burger Olympic promotion and the subsequent backfiring due to the Soviet boycotting of the Games was based on a UsefulNotes/McDonalds promotion that had the same results.
!!!Homer's Triple Bypass
* The ''COPS in Springfield'' show is a parody of ''Series/{{COPS}}'', with a spoof of the theme song.
!!!Marge vs. the Monorail
* The opening scene is a parody of the opening sequence to ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones''.
* Lyle Lanley and his plan to get the town's money with song and dance comes from ''Theatre/TheMusicMan''.
* Kyle Darren is a parody of Luke Perry.
* Creator/LeonardNimoy is referred by Quimby as "one of the Little Rascals", and greets him with [[Franchise/StarWars "May the force be with you"]].
* The celebrity on the maiden voyage was Creator/{{Gallagher}}!
!!!Selma's Choice
* The title is a reference to ''Film/SophiesChoice''.
* There are some references to Disneyland: The "Duff Beer For Me" show is a parody of ''Ride/ItsASmallWorld'', while the Main Street Parade is spoofed as well.
* Inverted: the Bouvier family iguana being called "Jub-Jub" ''looks like'' a reference to "[[Creator/LewisCarroll The Jabberwocky]]" ('the Jub-Jub Bird') or to "The Hunting of the Snark", but WordOfGod says that it was just a random phrase coined by the writer, Creator/ConanOBrien.
!!!Brother from the Same Planet
* The nun being blown away by the wind parodies ''Series/TheFlyingNun''.
* The scene where Milhouse writes "Trab Pu Kcip" parodies the "Redrum" scene from ''Film/TheShining''.
* Homer watches a documentary about NFL player Bart Starr.
* ''Tuesday Night Live'' is a parody of ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'', with Bart noting that the show isn't the same without Joe Piscopo.
* Dr. Hibbert offers Lisa a ''{{Series/MASH}}'' coloring book.
* Bart and Tom watch an episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheRenAndStimpyShow''.
* Homer tells Pepi a made-up story about Bart shoving half a grapefruit on his face, a reference to ''Film/ThePublicEnemy1931''.
!!!I Love Lisa
* The title is a reference to the classic TV show ''Series/ILoveLucy''.
* Krusty thinks he is going to be arrested at an adult theater like it happened to Creator/PaulReubens.
* Bart's delivery while playing John Wilkes Booth is a parody of ''Franchise/{{Terminator}}''.
!!!Duffless
* In the early 50s, Duff was a [[ValuesDissonance "proud sponsor"]] of ''Amos 'n' Andy''.
* Bart trying to pick up two cupcakes with cherries parodies a scene on ''Film/AClockworkOrange'', where Alex, after being conditioned, struggles to fondle a woman's bare breasts.
* Moe's "He'll be back" monologue is a reference to ''Film/ReeferMadness''.
* Homer and Marge sing "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" at the end of the episode.
!!!Last Exit to Springfield
* There are a [[ReferenceOverdosed lot]] of [[ShoutOut Shout Outs]] in this episode:
* The title references Hubert Selby Jr's 1964 novel ''Last Exit to Brooklyn'', and Homer becoming a union official and gaining importance during a strike roughly parallels one of that novel's plotlines.
* The scene where Lisa gets her braces is a parody of the scene in the 1989 Creator/TimBurton [[Film/Batman1989 film]] where Jack Napier discovers his new face and becomes the Joker.
* Lisa's MushroomSamba while under sedation parodies ''WesternAnimation/YellowSubmarine'', complete with an appearance by the Beatles.
* At Lenny's request, Lisa plays a little bit of the 1968 Mason Williams [[{{Instrumentals}} Instrumental]] "Classical Gas".
* Homer has an [[ImagineSpot Imagine Spot]] that's a parody of Don Fanucci's first appearance in [[Film/TheGodfather The Godfather Part II]] (Homer as a mob boss, taking bribes and tribute in the form of donuts).
* The montage of Burns and Smithers heading towards the power grid is a parody of Get Smart.
* Mr. Burns quotes Captain Ahab in Moby-Dick (or Khan Noonien Singh) when he shuts down the power in Springfield.
* The scene where the power plant workers sing in a big circle, overheard by Mr. Burns, is a parody of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!.
* The closeup of a bird giving a Burns-like shudder references the infamous loudly-squawking parrot with a transparent eye from Citizen Kane.
!!!So It's Come To This: A Simpsons Clip Show.
* Referencing the final scene of ''Film/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest'', Barney smothers Homer with a pillow and breaks a window with a water fountain.
* Grampa quotes a line from Don [=McLean's=] "Vincent".
!!!The Front
* The title references the [[Film/TheFront 1976 film of the same name]] about writers fronting for colleagues blacklisted as communists.
* The end credits of ''Little Barbershop of Horrors'' parody the end credits of many TV shows produced by Stephen J. Cannell, here placing Itchy and Scratchy at the desk in Cannell's place. (Cannell himself commented on the episode positively to writer Mike Reiss later.)
!!!Whacking Day
* The "Itchy & Scratchy" segment is a parody of ''Film/{{JFK}}'', whose director Creator/OliverStone is credited as "guest director".
!!!Marge In Chains
* Homer wants to watch ''Series/{{Wiseguy}}''.
* The Blue-Haired Lawyer uses the "Zapruder film" to incriminate Marge.
!!!Krusty Gets Kancelled.
* Gabbo was named after the dummy in the 1929 film ''The Great Gabbo'' and was modeled after Series/HowdyDoody.
* The "Worker and Parasite" cartoon is a parody of the early 1960s ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'' cartoons, produced in Prague.
* There are some references to Johnny Carson and ''Series/TheTonightShow'': Krusty mentions having beat Joey Bishop, who briefly competed with Carson, while Music/BetteMidler sings Krusty "Wind Beneath My Wings" as in the penultimate episode of Carson's ''Tonight Show''.
* Krusty's comeback special was based on ''Elvis 68''.
* Krusty's suggestions to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers about their act mirror the "Light My Fire incident" between Music/TheDoors and Ed Sullivan. Sullivan is mentioned by Bart in a previous scene.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 5]]
!!!Homer's Barbershop Quartet
* Moe is selling clams painted to resemble Creator/LucilleBall.
* Homer tosses away the first issue of ''ComicBook/ActionComics'', some "Flying Jenny" stamps, the Declaration of Independence, and a Stradivarius fiddle.
* ''Melvin and the Squirrels'' are an obvious parody of ''WesternAnimation/AlvinAndTheChipmunks''.
* As with Side Show Bob, Skinner's prisoner number in Vietnam was [[Literature/LesMiserables 24601]].
* Many of the Be-Sharps' points of popularity parallel Music/TheBeatles.
** In the 1980s, Moe's Tavern was called Moe's Cavern, a nod to The Cavern Club where the Beatles got their start.
** Barney replacing Chief Wiggum is a reference to Pete Best getting replaced by Music/RingoStarr.
** Bart asking if the Be-Sharps screwed up like the Beatles and said they were BiggerThanJesus is a nod to John Lennon's infamous quote. Homer then show's him a record called "Bigger Than Jesus" with the Be-Sharps walking on water a la the cover to ''Abbey Road''.
** The finale of the Be-Sharps reuniting to sing atop Moe's Tavern is a reference to the Beatles singing on top of the Apple building.
* Chief Wiggum watches ''Series/TheTonightShow'' with Johnny Carson and ''The Late Show'' with Joan Rivers.
!!!Cape Feare
* [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Much of the episode is a parody of]] ''Film/CapeFear,'' with some elements (mostly the knuckle tatoos) from ''Film/NightOfTheHunter.''
* Sideshow Bob is distracted by singing the entire score of the ''Theatre/HMSPinafore.''
!!!Homer Goes To College
* Much of the plot is a reference to ''Film/AnimalHouse,'' down to the use of "Louie Louie" in the credits.
* The couch gag features the pink foot from ''Monty Python''.
* Burns offers the safety inspectors the contents of a "mysterious box" like in ''Let's Make a Deal''.
* Burns attempts to hit a college chairman with a bat, parodying ''The Untouchables''.
* Dean Peterson was formerly a bassist for The Pretenders.
* The nerds live in Room 222.
* Homer has posters of Albert Einstein and W.C. Fields in his "dorm".
!!!Rosebud
* There are numerous nods to ''Film/CitizenKane'', starting with the title.
** The opening shot from outside Burns' mansion.
** The flashback to Burns' childhood, where he leaves his precious childhood memory behind for a life of riches and cold industry.
** Burns dropping the snowglobe at the end of his flashback dream.
** The Rosebud sleigh appears in the background with all of Burns' stuff.
* Burns tries to cover up to Smithers his dream about Bobo by telling him he was dreaming of ''The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo''. In the next scene, Homer is indeed dreaming about it.
* The guards marching and chanting outside Burns' mansion are based on the Wicked Witch of the West's guards in ''Film/TheWizardOfOz''.
* The ending, where Burns, now a head in a jar on a robotic body, runs away with Bobo, with a number of Homer-like humans enslaved by apes, is a parody of Franchise/PlanetOfTheApes.
* Burns' brother is revealed to be comedian George Burns.
* Burns and Smithers' attempt to steal Bobo is based on ''Film/MissionImpossible''.
* Charles Lindbergh and UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler were both in possession of Bobo.
* Burns and Smithers act in a bad ''Series/TheHoneymooners'' parody.
* The mob begins to sing "High Hopes" after seeing Maggie bond with Bobo.
!!!Treehouse of Horror IV
* The wraparounds are a parody of ''Series/NightGallery''.
* The segments parody ''The Devil and Daniel Webster'' ("The Devil and Homer Simpson"), ''Series/TheTwilightZone1959'' episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" ("Terror at 5 1/2 Feet") and ''Film/BramStokersDracula'' ("Bart Simpson's Dracula")
* A demon mentions that "James Coco went mad in fifteen minutes" of the donuts torture. Coco was a portly character actor of the 1970s. The force-feeding gag is a reference to the 1937 ''Merrie Melodies'' cartoon "WesternAnimation/{{Pigs Is Pigs|1937}}".
* Among those in the jury at Homer's trial are Benedict Arnold, John Wilkes Booth and the starting line of the 1976 Philadelphia Flyers.
* Homer is afraid of the "Art/DogsPlayingPoker" portraits.
* The end of the "Dracula" segment parodies ''WesternAnimation/ACharlieBrownChristmas''.
!!!Marge On the Lam
* Much of the episode is a parody of ''Film/ThelmaAndLouise''.
* Crystal Buzz is a reference to the "clear soda" fad of 1992.
* Lionel watches ''L.A. Law'' while sitting the kids.
* The end of the episode parodies the traditional closing sequence of ''Franchise/{{Dragnet}}'', narrated by George Fenneman as in the original.
!!!Bart's Inner Child
* The injured kids from the trampoline spoof the injured soldiers form ''Gone with the Wind''.
* Homer tries to get rid of the trampoline in a [[WesternAnimation/WileECoyoteAndTheRoadRunner Wile E. Coyote]]-like fashion.
* The Reverend decides to play "The Entertainer" in the organ.
!!!Boy-Scoutz 'n the Hood
* The title parodies ''Boyz n the Hood''.
* The "Springfield, Springfield" number is a nod to the musical ''On the Town'', with a sailor looking for New York included.
* The knife fight between Moe and Moleman is a parody of ''Film/CrocodileDundee''.
* Creator/ErnestBorgnine introduces himself like Troy [=McClure=], mentioning his role in ''Film/FromHereToEternity''.
* Homer imagines singing The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar".
* There's a fleeting reference to ''Film/{{Deliverance}}'' when Borgnine's raft is drifting through a forest while music from the "Dueling Banjos" scene plays in the background.
!!!The Last Temptation of Homer
* Homer's guardian angel initially takes the form of UsefulNotes/IsaacNewton, but then turns into [[Series/HogansHeroes Col. Klink]] (voiced by Werner Klemperer, no less).
* Homer's first vision of Mindy is similar to Sandro Botticelli's ''Art/{{The Birth of Venus|Botticelli}}''.
* Burns unleashes flying monkeys like the Wicked Witch of the West in ''The Wizard of Oz''.
!!!$pringfield: Or, 'How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Legalized Gambling
* The episode's title is a reference to ''Film/DrStrangelove'''s own long title.
* Marge reminds Homer his lifelong dream was not being a croupier, but to appear in ''The Gong Show''.
* Burns behaves a lot like Howard Hughes in his last years as a Las Vegas magnate. His "Spruce Goose"/Hercules aircraft is parodied with Burns' incredibly tiny "Spruce Moose" (which is not a model, according to Burns).
* Robert Goulet sings "Jingle Bells" with Batman-inspired lyrics.
!!!Homer the Vigilante
* Homer's daydream is a nod to ''Dr. Strangelove''.
* Malloy is based on "Raffles", a suave burglar portrayed on the eponymous 1939 film by David Niven.
* The exchange between Homer and Skinner at the museum is a spoof of ''Dragnet'', with its iconic theme included.
* The final sequence is a parody of ''Film/ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld''.
* Homer's NoodleIncident about a flipped car and a mouthy grandma is a reference to the story "A Good Man is Hard to Find" by Creator/FlanneryOConnor, with the context suggesting that Homer is meant to stand in for [[SerialKiller the Misfit]] (who killed the grandma and the rest of the family in the flipped car).
-->'''Homer:''' So I said: "Look, buddy, your car was upside-down when I got here. And as for your grandma, she shouldn't have mouthed off like that!"
!!!Bart Gets Famous
* Bart imagines himself appearing in ''Match Game 2034''.
* The Song "Kung Fu Fighting" is referenced as a OneHitWonder.
!!!Homer & Apu
* The scene of Homer and Apu walking towards the airport carrying heavy backpacks references ''Lawrence of Arabia''.
!!!Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy
* The plot was inspired by the then-controversial "Teen Talk Barbie" dolls.
* Series/{{Matlock}} appears at the opening of a Geriatric center at the beginning of the episode. The crowd of seniors sing "[[Theatre/ByeByeBirdie We love you Matlock, oh yes we do...]]"
* Homer dances on giant piano keys as in ''Film/{{Big}}''.
!!!Deep Space Homer
* ''Series/HomeImprovement'' and ''Series/MarriedWithChildren'' are featured in the episode.
* When Homer is on the centrifuge, he face distorts and resembles {{ComicStrip/Popeye}}. Later during the launch, his face becomes that of UsefulNotes/RichardNixon.
* Homer imitates the final scene of ''Film/{{Planet of the Apes|1968}}'' when he finally gets [[EarthAllAlong the film's twist]].
* The ''Itchy & Scratchy'' cartoon references the chest-bursting scene from ''{{Film/Alien}}''.
* The zero gravity scene and the ending with the Fox satellite spoof ''A Space Odyssey''.
** Itchy rides on a pod resembling the one from the movie.
!!!Homer Loves Flanders
* Homer sings "Two Tickets to Paradise" and "Macho Man" (with nachos, of course).
* Moe reads ''Literature/LittleWomen'' and ''My Friend Flicka''.
!!!Bart Gets an Elephant
* The first part of a story – Bart being told he was the winner of an elephant, but then asked if he wants a $10,000 cash substitute – parallels a similar situation that happened on the 1950s version of ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'', where a contestant was shown an elephant, offered $4,000 and then insisted that they make good on the elephant prize. In both cases, legal threats arose and those in charge complied with the contestants' wishes.
* The Springfield Tar Pits resemble the La Brea Tar Pits
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPrI8db74kA These lines]] when Homer hits the statue come from ''Theatre/TheSoundOfMusic.''
!!!Burns' Heir
* At the movie theater, there are parodies for the THX "Deep Note", the trailer for the 1992 movie ''Toys'' and "Let's All Go to the Lobby".
* When Mr. Burns wants to be told what day it is, a boy answers, "[[Literature/AChristmasCarol Why, today is Christmas Day, sir!]]" Burns tells him he was referring to Bart.
* In a parody of ''Film/TaxiDriver'', Moe is talking to himself through a mirror.
!!!Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song
* The title is a parody of the blaxploitation film Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
* Skinner's novel, ''Billy and the Cloneasaurus'' is an obvious plagiarism of ''Jurassic Park''.
!!!The Boy Who Knew Too Much
* The title, to ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooMuch''
* Freddy Quimby is also the name of the producer of the ''WesternAnimation/TomAndJerry'' shorts.
* "I am not a clumsy [[Franchise/ThePinkPanther Clouseauesque]] waiter!"
!!!Lady Bouvier's Lover
* The title is a reference to ''Literature/LadyChatterleysLover''. In the DVD commentary the producers say they were at the time worried the title was too lewd, now it wouldn't be lewd enough!
* Grampa playing with the baked potatoes is a reference to ''The Gold Rush''.
* "Rex Breem and His Band of Some Esteem" is a parody of Les Brown and His Band of Renown.
* Grampa bids farewell to Mrs. Bouvier in a Jimmy Durante fashion. Unfortunately for him, the lawyers for Durante's estate are on the spot.
* The ending is an homage to ''Film/TheGraduate'', complete with Music/SimonAndGarfunkel parody "The Sound of Grampa".
!!!Secrets of a Successful Marriage
* Smithers' failed marriage references Creator/TennesseeWilliams' plays ''Theatre/AStreetcarNamedDesire'' and ''Theatre/CatOnAHotTinRoof''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 6]]
!!!Bart of Darkness
* The title is a reference to the classic novel ''Literature/HeartOfDarkness''.
* The musical number at the pool was an homage to choreographer Busby Berkeley.
* The last act is a parody of ''Film/RearWindow'', down to Creator/JimmyStewart making a cameo.
!!!Lisa's Rival
* Lisa's diorama is inspired by ''Oliver Twist'', while Allison's has ''The Tell-Tale Heart'' as a theme.
!!!Another Simpsons ClipShow
* Marge reads ''Literature/TheBridgesOfMadisonCounty'' at the beginning.
!!!Itchy & Scratchy Land
* Many of Itchy & Scratchy Land's areas reference [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Walt Disney World]]. For example..
** Parents Island is a reference to Pleasure Island, a former club.
** There is a reference to the Main Street Electrical Parade.
* The gags during the family's car ride are based on ''Film/NationalLampoonsVacation''.
* The helicopter ride to the park is a reference to ''Franchise/JurassicPark''.
* ''Pinitchio'' and ''Scratchtasia'' are parodies of ''{{WesternAnimation/Pinocchio}}'' and ''{{WesternAnimation/Fantasia}}'' respectively.
* Roger Myers Sr.'s film ''Nazi Supermen Are Our Superiors'' is a nod to Walt Disney's alleged antisemitism, as well as an inversion of the propaganda short "WesternAnimation/DerFuehrersFace".
* The robots rebelling and going on a rampage is a nod to ''Film/{{Westworld}}''.
* The joke about Euro Itchy & Scratchy Land is a reference to the low attendance of Disneyland Paris in its first years of operation.
!!!Sideshow Bob Roberts
* The episode is mostly a parody of ''Film/BobRoberts''.
* Birch Barlow is a parody of radio host Radio/RushLimbaugh. His name is also likely a reference to the ultraconservative John Birch Society (named for a U.S. Army captain killed by Communist soldiers in China shortly after the end of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII).
* Grampa asks the mayor (and later Bob) to name the expressway he promises after Series/{{Matlock}}.
* The mayoral debate between Bob and Quimby is a parody of the Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960.
* Bart gets ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones'' talking phone in kindergarten. Henry Corden even voices Fred's recording.
* The Archie comics gang (Archie, Reggie, Jughead and Moose) dump Homer out of their car, with the warning: "Duh, stay out of Riverdale!"
* Among those who "voted" for Bob are Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, who died in a plane crash in 1959.
!!!Treehouse of Horror V
* The introduction is a spoof of ''Series/{{The Outer Limits|1963}}''.
* The first segment is a parody of ''The Shining''.
* The title of the second segment is a pun on ''Crime and Punishment''.
* The title of the third segment is a pun on ''Nightmare Cafe''.
* The closing sequence about a fog turning people inside out was inspired by an episode of the radio series ''Lights Out!''. During the credits, the family performs "One", from ''Theatre/AChorusLine''.
!!!Bart's Girlfriend
* Bart in a straitjacket is a reference to Hannibal Lecter in ''Literature/TheSilenceOfTheLambs''.
!!!Lisa on Ice
* Bart's team is called the Mighty Pigs, a reference to ''Film/TheMightyDucks''.
* There is a jab at the Apple [=MessagePad's=] poor handwriting recognition.
!!!Homer Badman
* "Rock Bottom" is a parody of ''Hard Copy'', a controversial investigative journalism show.
* Homer imagines himself singing "[[WesternAnimation/TheLittleMermaid1989 Under the Sea]]" while he fantasizes about living underwater.
* The news report from the helicopter is a spoof of the standoff with O.J. Simpson.
!!!Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy
* Frink turning into a suave man is a reference to ''Film/TheNuttyProfessor1963''.
* The chase scene is a parody of ''Film/BonnieAndClyde'' (1967).
!!!Fear of Flying
* Homer enters the ''Cheers'' bar attempting to find a new place to hang out.
* ''Film/AccidentalHero'', which is called ''Hero'' here, ''Film/{{Fearless}}'', and ''Film/{{Alive}}'' are all real movies, and all about plane crashes!
* Marge dreams about being Mr. Robinson from ''Series/LostInSpace''.
* Marge and her mother running from an airplane in a cornfield is a reference to ''North by Northwest''.
!!!Homer the Great
* The Stonecutters are a parody of the Freemasons.
* The society owns the Ark of the Covenant.
!!!And Maggie Makes Three
* "Knight Boat" is a parody of ''Series/KnightRider''.
!!!Bart's Comet
* In one shot of Springfield's citizens cramming themselves into Flanders' bunker, [[Literature/WheresWaldo Waldo]] is among the crowd in his iconic red and white striped outfit.
* Flanders sings "Que Sera Sera" when he leaves the bunker. He is then joined by the entire town.
!!!Homie the Clown
* Krusty lights a cigar with a copy of ''Action Comics #1''.
!!!Bart vs. Australia
* The "knife scene" from ''Film/CrocodileDundee'' comes up again.
!!!Homer vs. Patty & Selma
* Like in ''Star Trek'', the family beams up on the couch.
!!!A Star is Burns
* "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's theme)" is played when the scene changes to Mr. Burns' office.
* Burns' film, ''[[Film/AManForAllSeasons A Burns for All Seasons]]'', parodies ''Film/VivaZapata, '' ''Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial'', and ''Film/BenHur1959.''
* Apu's film's title, "Bright Lights, Beef Jerky", is a play on ''Film/BrightLightsBigCity.''
* Moe's film is a parody of ''Theatre/{{Cabaret}}.''
* Barney's film is a parody of ''Film/TheLostWeekend''.
* Jay sings the Oscar Mayer song.
* The [=McBain=] film refers to the then-recent Woody Allen scandal.
* The whole episode is lampshaded by a mention of ''WesternAnimation/TheJetsonsMeetTheFlintstones''.
!!!Lisa's Wedding
* Martin ends as the Phantom of the Opera, playing "A Fifth of Beethoven" in the organ.
!!!Two Dozen and One Greyhounds
* The episode is a WholePlotReference to ''WesternAnimation/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians''.
* Santa's Little Helper and his girlfriend reenact the SpaghettiKiss scene from ''WesternAnimation/LadyAndTheTramp''… then start growling and fighting over it.
* "See my Vest" parodies "Be our Guest" from ''WesternAnimation/BeautyAndTheBeast''.
!!!The PTA Disbands!
* One of the substitute teachers tormented by Bart turns out to be Gabe Kaplan.
!!!'Round Springfield
* Lisa sings [[Music/CaroleKing Carole King's Jazzman]] [[TearJerker with Bleeding Gums Murphy.]]
* When Bleeding Gums Murphy's head appears from the clouds to thank Lisa, he is joined by [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Mufasa]], [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]], and Creator/JamesEarlJones (who provides the StationIdent for CNN).
!!!The Springfield Connection
* The title and some elements reference ''The French Connection''.
!!!Lemon of Troy
* There are some references to Greek mythology, starting with the title.
!!!Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part One)
* The title and plot reference "Who Shot J.R.?"
* The "Drummers' Salute" from ''JFK'' plays at the end of the episode.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 7]]
!!!Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)
* Smithers' dream has a reference to ''Series/TheModSquad''.
* Chief Wiggum falls asleep while looking over some of the evidence from shooting, and ends up dreaming of a place similar to The Black Lodge in ''Series/TwinPeaks'', with a backwards-talking Lisa standing in for The Man From Another Place.
* Willie references ''Film/BasicInstinct'' during his interview.
* The "Chez Guevara" nightclub is an obvious pun on Che Guevara.
* Homer's escape from custody is a replica of Kimble's escape from the crashed bus and derailing train in ''Film/TheFugitive''.
* [[https://twitter.com/archermation/status/1525563348267728897 As confirmed by]] director Wes Archer, [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSvikJ2VEAA5TwK?format=jpg&name=orig one shot]] of Chief Wiggum loading his gun is a direct homage to [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FSvikJ5UYAAsY7r?format=jpg&name=orig a similar shot]] from ''Anime/Golgo13: The Professional''.
!!!Radioactive Man
* The campy 70s version of "Radioactive Man" is reminiscent of ''Series/Batman1966''. "The Scoutmaster" is modeled after Creator/PaulLynde.
* Aquaworld is a reference to ''Film/{{Waterworld}}''.
* Moe was one of the ''Little Rascals''... until he killed Alfalfa for stealing his shtick. Luckily he was an orphan owned by the studio.
!!!Home Sweet Homediddly-dum-doodly
* Maggie spins her head towards Bart and Lisa, who are behind her, much like in ''Film/TheExorcist''.
!!!Bart Sells His Soul
* The Comic Book Guy has a rare ''ComicStrip/MaryWorth'' where she has advised a friend to commit suicide.
* Milhouse tells Bart ''Series/{{Alf}}'' is back in Pog form.
* Lovejoy leads the congregation in a rendition of "[[Music/IronButterflyBand I. Ron Butterfly's]] In-Da-Gadda-Da-Vida.
* Bart prays "[[Literature/AreYouThereGodItsMeMargaret Are you there God? It's me, Bart Simpson]]"
!!!Lisa the Vegetarian
* There are some references to Music/TheBeatles in the final act:
* Apu met Paul [=McCartney=] when he traveled to India. Apu was then billed as the "fifth Beatle".
* Paul mentions that there's a recipe for lentil soup when playing "Maybe I'm Amazed" backwards. An special version of the song was made to have this, as well as the line "And by the way, I'm alive", referring to the "Paul is dead" urban legend.
!!!Treehouse of Horror VI
* The title of "Attack of the 50-Foot Eyesores" is a reference to ''Attack of the 50 Foot Woman''.
* The second segment ("Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace") is a parody of the ''Elm St.'' movies, while Bart's dream at the beginning resembles a cartoon from the 1940s.
!!!King Size Homer
* Some of the mannequins on the clothing store resemble the [=McCrory=] brothers who became known for their photo while riding motorbikes.
!!!Mother Simpson
* Grampa is watching Super Bowl III in the flashback.
* Maggie dances with some slogans painted on in a parody of ''Laugh-In''.
* Burns in the tank mirrors Michael Dukakis' tank incident in 1988.
* Mona and Lisa play Music/BobDylan's "Blowin' in the Wind".
!!!Sideshow Bob's Last Gleaming
* The episode parodies the 1960s-era obsession with nuclear war, including films such as ''Dr. Strangelove'' and the "Daisy ad" from the 1964 elections.
!!!The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular
* Troy [=McClure=] notes they are honoring America's favorite non-[[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones prehistoric cartoon family]].
!!!Marge Be Not Proud
* One of the guests on Krusty's Christmas special is a parody of Brazilian singer/TV host Xuxa, with Krusty struggling to pronounce her name. The other is "respected private citizen Tom Landry" (the joke being that Landry was dismissed as the head coach of [[UsefulNotes/NationalFootballLeague the Dallas Cowboys]] six years before this episode, was retired by that point, and was an unlikely choice for a variety special anyway).
* Among the video game characters that make up Bart's conscience are the Franchise/SuperMarioBros, VideoGame/DonkeyKong and Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog.
!!!Team Homer
* Burns' ether hallucination leads him to think Homer is the Pillsbury doughboy.
** He also mistakes Hans Moleman for Lucky, the Lucky Charms cereal leprechaun, and proceeds to give him a power drill lobotomy.
!!!Two Bad Neighbors
* The plot is that of ''Series/DennisTheMenace'' with Bart as Dennis and UsefulNotes/GeorgeHWBush as Mr. Wilson.
!!!Scenes from the Class Struggle in Springfield
* The Ogdenville TV store features Panaphonics, Magnetbox and Sorny sets. Bart points out they are imitations.
* Burns drives a 1900s-era car and wears am Edwardian "driver gear".
!!!Bart the Fink
* The title is a pun on ''Barton Fink''.
!!!Lisa the Iconoclast
* Kearney is old enough to remember Watergate and the American Bicentennial.
* Gilbert Stuart's unfinished portrait of George Washington plays an important role on uncovering Jebediah.
!!!Homer the Smithers
* Marge is surprised to see Homer up at 4.30 AM, when ''The Little Rascals'' is not on until 6.
!!!The Day the Violence Died
* "Itchy, the Lucky Mouse" is a reference to ''Oswald the Lucky Rabbit'', while his short "Manhattan Madness" is a parody of silent cartoons such as ''Felix in Hollywood''. The relationship between Chester Lampwick and Roger Myers, Sr. mirrors that of Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer, who made the ''Felix the Cat'' cartoons.
* The 1970s ''Itchy & Scratchy'' film is a parody of ''Fritz the Cat''.
* Among those credited on "Steamboat Itchy" are composer George Gershwin and John F. Kennedy's father Joseph, who was a producer in the 1920s.
* The "Amendment to Be" cartoon is a parody of ''Schoolhouse Rock''.
* Lester and Eliza are based on the Tracey Ullman-era designs of Bart and Lisa.
* Roger Meyers Jr. says: If it weren't for someone plagiarizing ''Series/TheHoneymooners'', we wouldn't have ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones''. If someone hadn't ripped off [[Series/ThePhilSilversShow Sergeant Bilko]], there'd be no WesternAnimation/TopCat. [[WesternAnimation/TheHuckleberryHoundShow Huckleberry Hound,]] [[SelfDeprecation Chief Wiggum]], [[WesternAnimation Yogi Bear]]? Hah! Creator/AndyGriffith, Creator/EdwardGRobinson, Creator/ArtCarney."
!!!A Fish Called Selma
* The title is a parody of ''Film/AFishCalledWanda''.
* The song "Dr. Zaius" in the ''Planet of the Apes'' play is a parody of "Rock Me Amadeus".
!!!Bart On the Road
* Bart, Milhouse, Nelson and Martin travel to the Knoxville World's Fair, only to find out it was held in 1982.
!!!22 Short Films about Springfield
* The title is a take-off on the 1993 film ''Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould''. The episode itself is a parody of ''Film/PulpFiction''.
!!!Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish
* Some of the stolen paintings resemble actual works missing since WWII.
!!!Much Apu about Nothing
* The title is a pun on ''Much Ado About Nothing''.
!!!Homerpalooza
* The title is a pun on Lollapalooza. Hullabalooza itself is a parody of the festival's first incarnation.
!!!Summer of 4 Ft. 2
* The title is a pun on ''Summer of '42''.
* Lisa says that she heard the word "crustacean" on ''Series/{{Baywatch}}''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 8]]
!!!Treehouse of Horror VII
* The segment "The Thing and I" parodies ''The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' and ''Basket Case''.
* The "Genesis Tube" segment is a spoof of ''Series/{{The Twilight Zone|1959}}'' episode "The Little People".
* The title of the segment "Citizen Kang" is a pun on ''Citizen Kane''.
* Kang and Kodos' spaceship crashing into the Capitol Dome is a reference to ''Earth vs. the Flying Saucers''.
!!!You Only Move Twice
* The title and third act reference the James Bond films.
* The promo video for Cypress Creek is called "Cypress Creek: [[Literature/ATaleOfTwoCities The Tale of One City]]".
!!!The Homer they Fall
* The montage of Homer beating hobos is a reference to ''Film/RagingBull''.
* Drederick Tatum's recent run-ins with the law mirror those of Mike Tyson's.
!!!Burns, Baby, Burns
* Larry was conceived after Mr. Burns saw ''Film/GoneWithTheWind''.
* Homer has one piece missing from his Snoopy jigsaw puzzle.
* The final act spoofs ''Ransom''.
!!!Bart After Dark
* There is a scene where Bart is falling down a roof that looks like ''Anime/TheCastleOfCagliostro'' that even the people in the audio commentary mention ''Franchise/LupinIII''.
!!!A Milhouse Divided
* The title refers to the proverb "A house divided against itself cannot stand".
* The closing theme is rearranged in the style of Music/SteelyDan.
!!!Lisa's Date with Density
* Great part of the plot is lifted from ''Rebel Without a Cause''.
* Nelson sings a version of "Joy to the World" with the lyrics changed to the story of a dismembered teacher.
!!!Hurricane Neddy
* One of the inmates at the asylum is Jay Sherman.
* As a child, Flanders played as Dick Tracy fighting Prune-Face, before switching roles. He then mixes names...
* Ned's father references drummer Gene Krupa when speaking with Dr. Foster regarding Ned's hyperactivity.
!!!El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer)
* Some of the visual elements from Homer's vision are lifted from ''Dances with Wolves''.
* The song "Short Shorts" plays at the end as a shipment of hot pants beaches at the harbor.
!!!The Springfield Files
* The episode is a cross-over with Series/TheXFiles, and the title is a reference to it.
* The line-up of aliens includes Series/{{Alf}}, [[WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes Marvin the Martian]], [[Franchise/StarWars Chewbacca]], and [[Film/TheDayTheEarthStoodStill1951 Gort]].
!!!The Twisted World of Marge Simpson
* Frank Ormand is modeled after guest star Jack Lemmon's character in ''Glengarry Glen Ross''.
* One of Cletus' kids is called "Q-Bert".
!!!Mountain of Madness
* SNPP employees Haney and Druckers are named after characters in ''Green Acres''.
!!!Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious
* The episode is a parody of ''Film/MaryPoppins''.
* The initials on the Krusty Komedy Klassic have some UnfortunateImplications, and he's appearing at the N.Y. Apollo Theater to boot.
* Homer's imagination parodies ''Steamboat Willie''.
* Willie sings "Maniac" from ''Film/{{Flashdance}}''.
* The Itchy & Scratchy short "Reservoir Cats" is a very detailed parody of the "Mr. Blonde vs. the policeman" scene of ''Film/ReservoirDogs''.
!!!The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show
* Roy is a parody of [[Series/HappyDays the Fonz]]. Poochie also mentions him in his GratuitousRap.
* June Bellamy is a spoof of Creator/JuneForay.
* Roy saying he's moving in with "two sexy ladies" seems like a nod to ''Series/ThreesCompany''.
!!!Homer's Phobia
* John's antiques shop has a ''TV Guide'' from around 1975 featuring ''Series/LaverneAndShirley'' on the cover.
* There are some campaign pins such as "I Like Ike" and the fictitious "Quayle Can't Fayle"[[note]]Referencing the former VP's "potato incident"[[/note]] and "I Fell For Dole"[[note]]Citing the 1996 GOP candidate's tendency to trip[[/note]].
* Bart dances to "The Shoop Shoop Song" with a bouffant wig like the ones in ''Hairspray'' (1988).
!!!Brother From Another Series
* ''Series/{{Frasier}}'' is a hit show on the NBC Television network.
!!!My Sister, My Sitter
* "Planet Hype" is a parody of Planet Hollywood.
* Lisa carrying Bart in a wheelbarrow is a reference to ''My Left Foot''.
!!!Homer vs. The 18th Amendment
* The plot spoofs both Prohibition and ''The Untouchables''.
* Detective Banner sits at a diner in a scene reminiscent of ''Nighthawks''.
!!!Grade School Confidential
* The title is a spoof of ''High School Confidential''.
* Skinner handing Bart a letter for Edna parodies the opening of ''For Your Eyes Only''.
!!!The Canine Mutiny
* The title is as much a pun on ''The Caine Mutiny'' as Laddie is a parody of a certain dog.
* Mr. Mitchell thinks his dead parrot is still alive.
!!!The Old Man and the Lisa
* When Mr. Burns tells Smithers that he is going to get that girl to help him and the following scenes with Lisa are a parody of the intro from ''Series/ThatGirl''.
* Lisa telling the townspeople recycling is evil is a parody of the endings of ''Soylent Green'' and ''Invasion of the Body Snatchers'' (1956).
!!!In Marge We Trust
* The commercial for "Mr. Sparkle" is a parody of Japanese commercials.
* The Reverend paraphrases a quote from ''Charge of the Light Brigade'' when retelling his standoff with the baboons.
!!!Homer's Enemy
* Grimes is a parody of the protagonist of ''Falling Down''.
* Grimes' rampage is an homage to ''Modern Times''.
!!!The Simpsons Spinoff Showcase
* "Chief Wiggum, P.I." parodies elements from 1980s-era cop shows, such as ''Magnum, P.I.'' and ''Miami Vice''.
* The "Love-Matic Grampa" is a parody of ''My Mother, The Car'' and ''Knight Rider''.
* The "Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour" is a parody of 1970s-era variety shows like ''The Brady Bunch Variety Hour'' (including the noticeable recast of a character), ''Sonny and Cher'' (the show's logo with Homer and Marge) and ''Laugh-In'' (the short sketches).
* Ozmodiar parodies [[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones The Great Gazoo]].
!!!The Secret War of Lisa Simpson
* Bart's prank with the loudspeakers has a similar result to Marty's use of Doc's amplifier in ''Back to the Future''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 9]]
!!!The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson
* After his flashback, Homer mentions that [[{{Film/CHUD}} C.H.U.D.s]] attacked him after falling in the sewer.
* Bart mistakes a Hasidic Jew for Music/ZZTop.
* Bart sneaks into the headquarters of ''{{Magazine/Mad}}''.
!!!The Principal and the Pauper
* The title and plot is an obvious reference to ''Literature/ThePrinceAndThePauper''.
* [[spoiler:Young Armin/Skinner]] looked a lot like James Dean.
!!!Lisa's Sax
* Homer and Marge sing a version of "Those Were the Days" from ''Series/AllInTheFamily.'' The narrator then notes ''The Simpsons'' is filmed in front of a live studio audience.
* Bart watches The WB with Michigan J. Frog presenting "another bad show that no one will see".
* A biopic about Krusty shows him in a failed marriage to Mia Farrow... and a lot of adopted children.
* Homer watches ''Twin Peaks'' in 1990, being clueless to what's going on.
* The episode ends with Lisa playing "[[Music/GerryRafferty Baker Street]]" on her sax.
!!!Treehouse of Horror VIII
* "The Homega Man" is a parody of ''The Omega Man''.
* "Fly vs. Fly" is a parody of ''The Fly'' (both the 1958 and 1986 versions) and its title references the cartoon ''Spy v. Spy''.
* The third segment is a spoof of the Salem witch hunts (even though none of the alleged witches were actually burned).
!!!The Cartridge Family
* The title spoofs ''The Partridge Family''.
* The Continental Soccer Association ad opens with a parody of Music/HankWilliamsJr and his performances in the opening segment of ''Series/MondayNightFootball'' (saying "Open wide for some soccer!" instead of "Are you ready for some football?").
* The theme from the TV show ''The Avengers'' plays at the end.
!!!Bart Star
* The title references NFL player Bart Starr.
* Lenny in the 1970s says Homer is "dy-no-mite" at gymnastics and sports a T-shirt with the Fonz's catchphrase "Sit on it".
!!!The Two Mrs. Nahasapeemapetilons
* Apu's bouffant-style hairdo resembles the "Rachel" haircut.
* Apu also dresses like John Travolta in ''Saturday Night Fever'' when dancing at the disco.
* Manjula's favorite food is "Fried Green Tomatoes".
!!!Lisa the Skeptic
* The craze fueled by the "angel" is similar to the one surrounding the "Cardiff giant" hoax.
* Some police departments have done "fake giveaways" to nab law offenders.
!!!Realty Bites
* The title is a parody of ''Reality Bites''.
* The episode spoofs ''Glengarry Glen Ross'', Gil being based on Jack Lemmon's character in the film.
!!!Miracle on Evergreen Terrace
* The title is a reference to ''Miracle on 34th Street''.
* Marge tries to get the money back on ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}''.
!!!All Singing, All Dancing
* The family watches ''Film/PaintYourWagon'' at the beginning.
!!!Bart Carny
* Bart and Homer talking through their teeth is a reference to the Crosby-Hope ''Road to...'' films.
!!!The Joy of Sect
* The title is a reference to the book ''The Joy of Sex''.
* The episode refers to diverse "new religious movements".
* The scouts finally get Homer into the fold by singing the theme from the ''Batman'' TV show.
!!!Das Bus
* The title is a pun on ''Film/DasBoot''.
* Principal Skinner banging his shoe on his desk at the Model U.N. meeting is a reference to Nikita Khrushchev's "shoe-banging incident" at the United Nations in 1960.
* The plot about the kids on the island is based on ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies''.
* The scene where Bart, Lisa and Milhouse swing across a ravine on a vine references ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk''.
* Ralph's face paint resembles that of [[{{Music/KISS}} Peter Criss]].
!!!The Last Temptation of Krust
* The title is a pun on ''The Last Temptation of Christ''.
* Java the Hut is a pun on Jabba the Hutt.
* The "Canyonero" is a spoof of the then-nascent SUV craze.
!!!Dumbbell Indemnity
* The title is a parody of ''Double Identity''.
* Homer appears to Moe as a ghost like Jacob to Scrooge in ''A Christmas Carol''.
!!! Lisa the Simpson
* "When Building Collapse" parodies ''When Animals Attack''.
* Lisa urges people to read books like ''Literature/ToKillAMockingbird'', ''Literature/HarrietTheSpy'', and ''[[Creator/DrSeuss Yertle the Turtle]]'' (possibly the best book ever written on the subject of turtle stacking).
!!!This Little Wiggy
* The title refers to the nursery rhyme "This Little Piggy".
* Nelson's daydream of the Knowledgeum consists on him finding out which one of ''The Three Stooges'' has the heaviest brain.
!!!Simpson Tide
* The episode parodies the film ''Crimson Tide''.
* The CouchGag is lifted nearly frame-for-frame from ''WesternAnimation/RockyAndBullwinkle''.
* The first scene is a spoof of ''Planet of the Apes''.
* According to Grampa, JFK said his "Berliner" quote during WWII.
* Captain Tenille is named after 70s pop duo ''The Captain and Tenille''.
* The submarine crew sings Village People's "In the Navy".
!!!The Trouble with Trillions
* The trillion-dollar bill is similar to the Marshall Plan.
* Burns thinks Homer works for ''Collier's'', a pioneering magazine that went under in 1957.
* One of the paintings on Burns Manor is "Whistler's Mother", or more like Burns in the "Portrait of the Artist's Mother".
* Burns thinks the late-1950s car in Havana is the latest word on automobiles.
* A Duff billboard in Cuba reads "El Duff-O O Muerte", a spoof of "Victoria O Muerte", a quote by Che Guevara (who appears in said billboard).
!!!Girly Edition
* The title is a pun on ''Early Edition''.
* Bart acts much like the main character in ''A Face in the Crowd''.
* The robot cartoon that replaces the kids' news is a parody of ''Transformers''.
!!!Trash of the Titans
* The title references ''Film/{{Clash of the Titans|1981}}''.
* "The Garbageman Can" is a parody of "The Candyman Can" from ''Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory''.
* [[Series/SesameStreet Oscar the Grouch]] pops his head out of a garbage can.
* The ending spoofs the CryingIndian PSA.
* Ray Patterson is also the name of an animator from the UsefulNotes/TheGoldenAgeOfAnimation.
!!!King of the Hill
* The title is an homage to the then-only other primetime cartoon on Fox at the time.
* [=PowerSauce=] is a takeoff on [=PowerBar=].
!!!Lost Our Lisa
* Lisa must answer three questions to sit down like on ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail''.
* Homer and Lisa sing the Old Spice jingle at the end of the episode.
!!!Natural Born Kissers
* The title spoofs ''Natural Born Killers''.
* Bart allegedly claimed he was the inspiration for Cosmo Kramer.
* Bart and Lisa find the alternate ending for ''Film/{{Casablanca}}''. And one version of ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'' ends with a shooting spree.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 10]]
!!!Lard of the Dance
* The title spoofs the play ''Lord of the Dance''.
* Alex tells Lisa not to "be such a Phoebe".
* Marge tries to cheer Lisa up by commenting that the only babies that could organize school dances were those "super-babies from Brazil".
!!!The Wizard of Evergreen Terrace
* The title is a parody of "The Wizard of Menlo Park", a title given to Thomas Edison, whose work Homer tries to emulate.
* The blackboard gag and a joke at KBBL reference the Lewinsky scandal.
* Homer's surprise party is a take-off of ''This Is Your Life''.
!!!Bart the Mother
* The episode is based on the ''Andy Griffith Show'' episode "Opie the Mother".
* The "Bolivian Doughnuts" are a takeoff on "Colombian Coffee".
!!!Treehouse of Horror IX
* The opening features Freddy Krueger (''Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet'') and Jason Voorhees (''Franchise/FridayThe13th'') sitting on the couch, waiting for the Simpsons to arrive.
** Made even better by Creator/RobertEnglund, the original Freddy, providing his voice for the one line "I don't get it, they should be here by now."
* The first segment ("Hell Toupee") takes elements from Creator/WesCraven's ''Film/{{Shocker}}'' and an episode of ''Amazing Stories''.
* The second segment ("Terror of Tiny Toon") has references to ''Film/{{Pleasantville}}'' and the ''Twilight Zone'' movie.
* The third segment ("Starship Poopers") is a parody of a ''Series/{{Soap}}'' storyline, while the paternity issue is "resolved" in ''The Jerry Springer Show''.
* Also in the third segment, Kang and Kodos state their home is Rigel VII, which was the first extra-terrestrial planet ever mentioned in ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', during the opening scenes of the original pilot, "The Cage"
!!!When You Dish Upon a Star
* The title is a pun on the song "When You Wish Upon a Star".
* The episode begins with Homer dreaming that he's Yogi Bear (Bart being Boo-Boo). He then dreams about being Magilla Gorilla.
* The Sea Captain tells Creator/RonHoward he liked ''Film/{{Splash}}''.
* Smithers asks Creator/KimBasinger about the pumps she wore in ''Film/LAConfidential''.
* The Comic Book Guy wants to talk to Alec Baldwin about errors in ''Film/TheHuntForRedOctober.''
* The celebrities sensing the incoming townspeople with their drinks vibrating parodies ''Film/JurassicPark''.
!!!D'ohin' in the Wind
* The title spoofs the song "Blowin' in the Wind".
* Burns' "recruitment film" is filmed as a "talkie" and is directed by Alan Smithee.
* Homer went to Woodstock when he was a little kid.
* Seth and Munchie are a parody of ice cream magnates Ben & Jerry.
* Homer thinks "Uptown Girl" is an authentic hippie song.
* Homer puts daisies in the policemen's guns like it happened at Kent State.
!!!Lisa Gets an A
* Lisa has to read ''Literature/TheWindInTheWillows''...
* ... but she spends her sick time playing "Dash Dingo", a parody of ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot''.
* Nelson taunts Lisa as "Lady Cheaterly" as she buys the test answers from him.
* Gil attempts to sell the school the infamous Coleco Adam.
!!!Homer Simpson in "Kidney Trouble"
* The title is a parody of ''Roger Rabbit in "Tummy Trouble"''.
* One of the passengers on the "Ship of Lost Souls" is modeled after Peter Lorre.
!!!Mayored to the Mob
* The title is a pun on ''Married to the Mob''.
* The sci-fi convention is chock-full of references to icons like ''Star Wars'', ''Doctor Who'', ''Battlestar Galactica'', ''ALF'', ''Star Trek'', ''Godzilla'' and others.
* The bodyguard instructor attempts to sing the love theme of ''Film/TheBodyguard''. Said song plays at the end when Homer tries to escort Mark Hamill from the fans and the paparazzos.
* Homer ponders about doing a ''Weekend at Bernie's'' when he thinks Mayor Quimby died.
* Mark appears in a version of ''Theatre/GuysAndDolls'' that plays at a dinner theatre.
* The waiter at the dinner theatre is a parody of Frank Nelson.
* The dance Fat Tony's henchman performs is almost identical to the one WesternAnimation/DaffyDuck performs in ''Show Biz Bugs.''
!!!Viva Ned Flanders
* The title is a parody of ''Viva Las Vegas'', the title song playing at the end.
* "Burns Casino" was hosting Creator/DonRickles when it ended operations.
* The Las Vegas casinos spoof numerous landmarks like the "Sands", "Caesar's Palace" and the "Sahara", among others.
* In their marriage to the "Vegas wives", Homer is dressed (somewhat) like Frank Sinatra, while Ned dresses like John Travolta.
* When learning the full extent of their predicament, Ned mentions the lyrics of the theme tune of ''Maude''.
* The Moody Blues recite the poem on their hit "Nights in White Satin" before attacking Homer and Ned.
!!!Wild Barts Can't Be Broken
* The title is a pun on ''Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken''.
* Music/CyndiLauper performs at the ball game.
* "Homer's Night Out" is a parody of silent films.
* "Don't Go There" is a parody of 1990s sitcoms, particularly ''Friends''.
* "The Bloodening" is a spoof of "Village of the Damned".
* There is a passing reference to ''Our Gang''/''Little Rascals'' when the kids plot their zany scheme.
!!!Sunday, Cruddy Sunday
* The title is a pun on ''Sunday, Bloody Sunday''.
* The "pipsqueak" trying to get onto the bus is Film/{{Rudy}}.
* "Euro-Dollywood" is a parody of Euro-Disneyland.
!!!Homer to the Max
* The mid-season countdown is a parody of FOX's promotions.
* The "Police Cops" show has a distinct ''Miami Vice'' feel.
* Homer sings about his new name to the tune of "(Theme from) ''Goldfinger''".
!!!I'm With Cupid
* The title is a pun on the famous phrase "I'm With Stupid".
* Music/EltonJohn plays "Your Song" to Apu and Manjula at the end of the episode.
!!!Marge Simpson in "Screaming Yellow Honkers"
* The title spoofs the candy Screaming Yellow Zonkers.
* The school show has the teachers singing "Fame", Krabappel performing "Fever" (to the audience's visible queasiness) and Skinner and Chalmers doing a "Who's On First?" routine that ends awfully wrong.
* Wiggum calls Marge "Thelma" and "Louise" upon arresting her for reckless driving.
* Like in ''The Gods Must Be Crazy'', a rhino instinctively stomps out a fire.
!!!Make Room For Lisa
* The title parodies ''Make Room For Daddy''.
* When "In the Mood" plays on the radio, Homer thinks it's 1939. Lenny and Carl then "return" him to the present with "Safety Dance" by Men Without Hats, or "Men Without Jobs" according to Bill and Marty.
* Among the exhibits at the Smithsonian are Fonzie's jacket, Archie Bunker's armchair, and Howdy Doody (oh, there's also the Bill of Rights).
* Lisa's favorite movie is ''The Little Mermaid''. Too bad Homer taped it over.
* Homer likens now roomies Bart and Lisa to ''The Odd Couple'' and the Mertzes.
!!!Maximum Homerdrive
* The title is a pun n ''Maximum Overdrive''.
* Tony Randall is the only other besides Red to have finished the meat-eating challenge.
* The drawing on Red's truck features Tex Avery's Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.
* The tune playing in the doorbell is "Close to You" by the Music/{{Carpenters}}, Homer and Marge's song.
* "Señor Ding-Dong" acts like ''Zorro''.
!!!Simpsons Bible Stories
* The episode features stories based on the Old Testament.
** Marge's dream is about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
** Lisa's dream is about Moses and the Ten Commandments.
** Homer's dream is about King Solomon.
** Bart's dream is about David and Goliath.
* The one story of the New Testament is the "four horsemen of the Apocalypse".
!!!Mom & Pop Art
* The title is a take-off on the term "pop art".
* Homer decides to flood the town to look like Venice.
* Ned thinks the flood is a second version of the one in "Noah's Ark".
!!!The Old Man and The "C" Student
* The title is a pun on ''The Old Man and the Sea''.
* The seniors recreate scenes from ''Film/AHardDaysNight''.
* The seniors are shown an edited version of ''Film/GoneWithTheWind'' (Yes, the movie did have a war in it.)
!!!Monty Can't Buy Me Love
* The title is a pun on "Money Can't Buy Me Love".
* Arthur Fortune is a parody of Richard Branson.
* The show Burns is a guest on is a parody of "shock jocks" like Howard Stern.
!!!They Saved Lisa's Brain
* The title is a reference to ''They Saved Hitler's Brain''.
* The "Bright Pack "is a pun on the "Brat Pack".
* Stephen Hawking compares their "utopia" to a "fruitopia", a portmanteau of "fruitcake"[[note]]"Crazy" for the uninitiated[[/note]] and a juice called Fruitopia.
* Homer thinks Hawking is Larry Flynt.
!!!Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo
* The title references ''30 Seconds Over Tokyo''.
* Homer confuses ''Wired'' magazine with a magazine called "Weird", seemingly a parody of ''MAD'' and ''Cracked'' that turns to be nonexistent.
* Rich Uncle Pennybags attends the money savers' conference.
* "Battling Seizure Robots" is a reference to a scene with rapid lighting flashes in the ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' episode "Electric Soldier Porygon" that sent 685 children into seizures.
* There is another shot at Woody Allen's scandals, with him being reduced to making Japanese commercials.
* The game show is a parody of ''Truth or Consequences'' and Japanese game shows in general.
* Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, Film/{{Gamera}}, Film/{{Rodan}}, and Film/{{Mothra}} all make an appearance.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 11]]
!!!Beyond Blunderdome
* Creator/MelGibson wants to do an action-addled remake of ''Film/MrSmithGoesToWashington'' rather than a straight one.
* Creator/RobertDowneyJr has a standoff with the police, mirroring his legal problems at the time
!!!Brother's Little Helper
* Homer and Marge watch ''Showgirls'' at a film festival.
* Bart sings the ''Popeye'' closing theme at the end of the episode.
!!!Guess Who's Coming To Criticize Dinner
* Krusty does a very bad version of ''Theatre/KingLear'' at a dinner theater.
!!!Treehouse of Horror X
* For some reason, Dick Clark chose Springfield to ring in the Millennium.
!!!E-I-E-I-D'oh
* The ''Zorro'' movie is a jab to the film version of ''Film/WildWildWest''.
* The "tomacco" montage is a reference to ''Green Aces''.
!!!Hello Gutter, Hello Fadder
* Homer appears in a parody of ''The Hollywood Squares''. Needless to say, he makes a fool of himself.
!!!Eight Misbehavin'
* The title is a parody of Cole Porter's ''Ain't Misbehavin'''.
!!!Take My Wife, Sleaze
* The 50s-themed diner referenced a fad from the 1980s/early 90s. Too bad the owner didn't realize it was now 1999[[note]]Rockabilly themes would eventually come back into vogue [[TurnOfTheMillennium not long after the episode aired]][[/note]].
* Homer watches a parody of ''Film/RebelWithoutACause''... [[MainstreamObscurity which wasn't about bikers.]] The film is more a parody of ''Film/TheWildOne'' and the anti-juvenile delinquency films of the time.
!!!Grift of the Magi
* The title is a parody of the short story ''Literature/TheGiftOfTheMagi'', but the plot is entirely unrelated.
* The Funzos are an obvious parody of the "Furby" toys.
!!!Little Big Mom
* Homer and Bart spend their evenings watching ''Series/ILoveLucy''.
!!!Faith Off
* The sermon is titled ''Life in Hell''.
* The half-time show consists of a cover of "(I Had) The Time Of My Life"
!!!The Mansion Family
* Burns' doctor describes his condition as the "Three Stooges Syndrome".
!!!Saddlesore Galactica
* The title is a nod to ''Battlestar Galactica''.
!!!Alone Again, Natura-Diddly
* The title references the song "Alone Again, Naturally".
!!!Missionary Impossible
* The title is a pun on ''Mission: Impossible''.
* The British sitcom Homer watches is a spoof of ''The Young Ones'' and ''Father Ted''.
* Bender and Hank Hill are among the pledge-takers on the FOX telethon.
!!!Pigmoelian
* The title is a reference to ''Pygmalion''.
* The bartender competition is partly inspired on ''Cocktail''.
* The soap opera intro is a spoof of ''Series/DaysOfOurLives''.
!!!Bart to the Future
* The title is a parody of ''Back to the Future'', with Future!Bart working for former adversary Future!Nelson, who sports a tracksuit and gold chains.
* Future!Lisa and Future!Bart have a similar "president with an annoying sibling" relation to the one between Bill and Roger Clinton, or Jimmy and Billy Carter (whose ghost talks to Bart).
* Future!Krusty looks like Groucho Marx in his later years.
!!!Days Of Wine and D'ohses
* Bart and Lisa attempt to take a photo of Art/{{dogs playing poker}} for a phonebook, only to have their picture "snatched" by Nelson.
!!!Kill the Alligator and Run
* The title is a nod to "Take the Money and Run". Fittingly, the song also deals with fugitives in the South.
* Captain Jack is named after the alligator in ''Leave it to Beaver''.
* Homer asks for the "Rappin' Granny" from ''Film/TheWeddingSinger''.
!!!Last Tap Dance in Springfield
* The title spoofs ''Last Tango in Paris'', tango being Lisa's first choice for dancing.
* "Little" Vicky is a parody of Creator/ShirleyTemple.
!!!It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Marge
* The title parodies ''Film/ItsAMadMadMadMadWorld''.
* Patty and Selma tell Marge her circumstances are like those in the "[[DayDreamBeliever documentary]]", ''Film/TheHandThatRocksTheCradle.''
* In the HumanSacrifice-inspired music video scene at the end, Becky is wearing a Comicbook/{{Vampirella}} costume.
!!!Behind the Laughter
* The episode is a parody of Creator/VH1's ''Behind the Music'', complete with the announcer.
* Bart mentions he's starring in ''Film/TeenWolf 3''.
* After the family is reunited, Music/WillieNelson's curls spring up like Literature/PippiLongstocking.
* The subject of next week's show is [[WesternAnimation/TheHuckleberryHoundShow Huckleberry Hound]], who turns out to be a closeted homosexual.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 12]]
!!!Treehouse of Horror XI
* The intro is a parody of ''Series/TheMunsters''
!!!A Tale of Two Springfields
* The title is a take on Creator/CharlesDickens' "Literature/ATaleOfTwoCities"
* The picture of Homer, Moe, Lenny and Carl resembles a photo of Queen.
* Homer decides to call "the guys who made the Berlin Wall" to divide his side of town.
!!!Insane Clown Poppy
* The title is a pun on Insane Clown Posse.
* Stephen King announces that he will leave horror behind and do a biography of Benjamin Franklin, a man who... tortured small animals and opened the gates of Hell.
* Jonathan Franzen reads "Goodnight, Moon" in his thriller style.
!!!Lisa the Tree Hugger
* The song at the end is a parody of "This Land Is Your Land", a song used in numerous environment-related ads.
!!!The Computer Wore Menace Shoes
* The title is a parody of ''The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes''.
* The third act is an AffectionateParody of ''Series/{{The Prisoner|1967}}''.
!!!The Great Money Caper
* The plot is based on ''Film/PaperMoon'', and Homer and Bart attempt to scam Flanders by [[ScammingTheBereaved selling him a bible they claim Maude ordered before dying]], but Ned isn't fooled because he'd seen ''Film/PaperMoon''.
* The title is from ''Film/TheGreatMuppetCaper''
* Grandpa mentions ''Film/TheSting 2'' when he joins Homer and Bart.
* "Magic Palace", the magic-themed restaurant the Simpsons visit at the beginning, is based on The Magic Castle, a Hollywood nightclub.
* Marge's line "I didn't say that for clapping" is from a speech Creator/JohnWayne once gave while drunk.
* The ending lampoons the cliche of heist films always having a twist ending.
!!!HOMЯ
* The episode is a loose parody of ''Literature/FlowersForAlgernon''.
* [[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} Philip J. Fry]] has a cameo in the couch gag.
* ''Gravey and Jobriath'' is an extremist parody of ''WesternAnimation/DaveyAndGoliath'', with Gravey planning to attack Planned Parenthood. The name Jobriath comes from an American GlamRock singer who released a couple albums in TheSeventies and gained a cult following.
* An old ''Itchy & Scratchy'' cartoon parodies ''From Here to Eternity'' and features an ad for Laramie cigarettes, alluding to the fact ''The Flintstones'' were initially sponsored by Winston cigarettes. The butler seems to be a parody of Rochester, the valet on ''The Jack Benny Program'', which for years was sponsored by Lucky Strike.
* I.P.O. Fridays is a pun on the restaurant T.G.I. Fridays.
* Homer's ImagineSpot about the risks of investing includes a reference to ''Film/KingKong'' and ''Film/GoldDiggersOf1933''.
* At the library, Homer has read books from ''[[Creator/DrSeuss Hop on Pop]]'' to ''Death Be Not Proud''.
!!!Pokey Mom
* The title is a parody of ''Pokemon''.
* At the end, Wiggum asks Jack if he has ever seen ''Oz'', ''Sex and the City'' or ''The Sopranos''. Jack replies that he only gets basic cable at jail[[note]]The late 90s/early 2000s being a transition point for "premium" cable to jump into the mainstream[[/note]].
!!!Worst Episode Ever
* Homer recalls the time he was booted out from a Gallagher show.
!!!Tennis the Menace
* The title is a pun on ''Dennis the Menace''.
!!!Day of the Jackanapes
* The title is a lampoon on ''Day of the Jackal''.
* Krusty admits he taped ''Series/JudgeJudy'' over his old shows, leading Sideshow Bob to plot his revenge.
* Krusty also appeared on ''Laugh-in'', although he said some "innuendo" and got banned from the networks for over 20 years.
!!!New Kids on the Blecch
* The title is a pun on New Kids on the Block, while the episode spoofs the "boy band" craze of the late 90s/early 00s as well as allegations of subliminal messaging on popular songs.
* [[spoiler:Lieutenant]] L.T. Smash tells Lisa that pop stars have been used to encourage conscription since Elvis, also including The Beatles (in their ''Sgt. Pepper'' garb), The Captain and Tennille and Kiss.
* Creator/AngLee is credited as the director of the Party Posse's "Drop Da Bomb" video.
!!!Hungry Hungry Homer
* Blockos are a parody of Legos.
!!!Bye Bye Nerdie
* The title is a parody of ''Bye-Bye, Birdie''.
!!!Simpson Safari
* The title might be a reference to Music/TheBeachBoys song "Surfing Safari".
* The sun rising over the African savannah is a reference to ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994''.
!!!Trilogy of Error
* The title is a parody of the film ''Trilogy of Terror''.
!!!I'm Going to Praiseland
* The title parodies the chorus of Music/PaulSimon's [[Music/{{Graceland}} "Graceland"]].
* The theme park is based on Heritage USA.
* The gas leak refers to a similar incident at Disney World.
!!!Children of a Lesser Clod
* The title is a pun of ''Children of a Lesser God''.
* Professor Frink uses shoes padded with [[Film/TheAbsentMindedProfessor flubber]].
* In Homer's retelling of how he broke his knee, he was a giant in space and got hit in the knee by [[WesternAnimation/TheJetsons George Jetson]]'s car.
* When Homer is billed for the porno films he rented, he mentions ''[[Literature/DoctorDolittle Doctor Screwlittle]]''.
* The scene where Arnie Pie follows Homer in the stolen paddy-wagon is based off of the infamous O.J. Simpson car chase.
!!!Simpsons Tall Tales
* In the Myth/PaulBunyan story, Lenny says they are going to get rid of Paul!Homer as they did with Laura Ingalls.
* In the Tom Sawyer story, Hibbert sings "Ol' Man River" in the showboat.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 13]]
!!!Treehouse of Horror XII
* The first act is entitled "Hex and the City".
* The second act features a parody of HAL.
* The third act is a spoof of ''Literature/HarryPotter'', shortly before ''The Philosopher's Stone'' was released.
!!!The Parent Rap
* The title is a parody of ''The Parent Trap''.
!!!Homer the Moe
* Swigmore College is a pun on Skidmore College.
!!!A Hunka Hunka Burns In Love
* Thee title is a pun on "A Hunka-Hunka Burning Love"
* Creator/WoodyAllen wonders how he ended up writing fortunes on cookies.
!!!The Blunder Years
* The title is a pun on ''The Wonder Years''.
* Homer's flashback is similar to ''Film/StandByMe''.
!!!She Of Little Faith
* The renovated church is a jab towards the "megachurches" popular during the 2000s.
!!!Brawl In the Family
* Wiggum acknowledges that TabletopGame/{{Monopoly}} has started many a brawl.
!!!Sweets & Sour Marge
* Not even fire likes Butterfingers.
!!!Jaws Wired Shut
* The title is a parody of ''Eyes Wide Shut''.
* Homer's rescue of Marge from the demolition derby is a direct homage to the ''Popeye'' cartoons, complete with the power-up theme song, only Homer substitutes beer for spinach.
!!!Half-Decent Proposal
* The title is a parody of ''Indecent Proposal''.
* Marge, Patty and Selma watch a parody of ''Sex and the City''.
* There's a nod to the final scene of ''{{Series/MASH}}''.
* "If Marge and Artie marry, I'll never be born".
!!!The Bart Wants What It Wants
* When visiting Greta, Bart is greeted by Milhouse saying "Whassup?", a Budweiser slogan at the time.
!!!The Lastest Gun In the West
* Buck [=McCoy=] is based on Creator/JohnWayne.
!!!The Old Man and the Key
* The car race is a parody of ''Grease''.
!!!Tales from the Public Domain
* The episode consists of three stories: ''The Odyssey'' featuring Homer, ''Joan of Arc'' featuring Lisa, and ''Hamlet'' featuring Bart.
* The family dances to the tune of "''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' (Who You Gonna Call?)" at the end.
!!!Blame it On Lisa
* The title is a parody of "Blame it on Rio".
* There is a shot at the perceived sexual nature of Brazilian (And Latin American) television with the incredibly suggestive children's show in which Ronaldo performs.
* The kidnappers comment on the millions of cruzeiros (worth fifty thousand dollars), citing the ridiculously devalued currency Brazil had during the 20th century.
!!!Weekend at Burnsie's
* The title and the last scene reference ''Film/WeekendAtBernies''.
!!!Gump Roast
* The framing device for the episode is inspired by ''Film/ForrestGump''.
* Moe and Dr. Hibbert get arrested for impersonating Film/AustinPowers and [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Vader]], respectively.
* Ned Flanders and Reverend Lovejoy's comedic folk music routine is a parody of [[Series/TheSmothersBrothersComedyHour the Smothers Brothers]].
* The ending song is a parody of Music/BillyJoel's "[[WeDidntStartTheBillyJoelParodies We Didn't Start the Fire]]"
!!!I Am Furious (Yellow)
* The title is a pun on ''I Am Curious (Yellow)''
* The episode references the "webtoon boom" of the dot-com bubble era.
* The cartoon ''Lou Rawls: Secret Agent'' features Rawls singing a reworded version of his 1976 hit "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine".
!!!The Sweetest Apu
* Among the tasks Manjula gives Apu are the submitting and publication of a cartoon to ''Magazine/TheNewYorker'' and a performance of ''Theatre/MyFairLady'' with the octuplets.
!!!Little Girl In the Big Ten
* The "bubble" subplot was based on the made-for-TV movie ''The Boy in the Plastic Bubble'' and its theatrical remake ''Bubble Boy''.
!!!The Frying Game
* The title is a pun on "The Crying Game".
* Turns out that [[spoiler:Homer and Marge were the victims of Fox's latest game show]].
!!! Poppa's Got a Brand New Badge
* TheMafia's [[http://vimeo.com/8081470 journey to the Simpson house]] parodies ''Series/TheSopranos''' opening.
* Homer going to the church to ask the townspeople for help, only for them to abandon him, parodies ''Film/HighNoon''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 14]]
!!!Treehouse of Horror XIII
* The "Send in the Clones" segment features Peter Griffin and the Tracey Ullman-era Homer among the "dupes".
* "The Fright to Creep and Scare Harms" has Lisa unwittingly reviving Billy the Kid, Frank and Jesse James, The Sundance Kid (without Butch Cassidy), and... Kaiser Wilhelm II.
* The third segment is a parody of ''The Island of Dr. Moreau''.
!!!How I Spent My Strummer Vacation
* The title is a pun on "How I Spent My Summer Vacation"
!!!Bart & Lisa vs. The 3rd Grade
* Bart watches a Japanese version of ''Series/{{Friends}}'', and [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pikachu]] and [[WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}} Bender]] make appearances.
* Bart, when lost in the woods, references ''Film/TheBlairWitchProject''.
!!!Large Marge
* Music/TheBahaMen make a cameo singing "Who Left the Milk Out?" and "Who Let Her Jugs Out?", parodies of their hit "Who Let the Dogs Out?".
* Bart and Milhouse watch the '60's ''Series/{{Batman|1966}}'' show, complete with Adam West and Burt Ward, also featuring Krusty in a Joker-style guest role. Bart mentions that Krusty also had a recurring role on ''Bewitched''.
* When Bart's stunt makes the flag fall, the WWII vets attempt to put it into place ''a la'' Iwo-Jima, only for the stunt to make them fall as well.
!!!Helter Shelter
* Homer hires an exterminator business called "[[WesternAnimation/ABugsLife A Bug's Death]]".
* The title is a pun on the fairground ride Helter Skelter.
!!!The Great Louse Detective
* The title is a spoof of ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective''.
!!!Special Edna
* After watching a video of a teacher that tries to add humor to his lessons, the judges consider that ''Film/DeadPoetsSociety'' has ruined a generation of educators.
* "Honey I Sprayed Goo on the Audience" is a reference to both the film ''Film/HoneyIShrunkTheKids'' and the now-defunct Epcot ride ''Honey I Shrunk the Audience.''
!!!The Dad Who Knew Too Little
* The title references ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooMuch''.
!!!The Strong Arms of the Ma
* The man who stole Marge's necklace wears a Goofy hat.
* Marge's revenge on the burglar resembles a scene of ''The Godfather''.
!!!Pray Anything
* The title is a pun on ''Say Anything...''.
!!!Barting Over
* Bart discovers he was in a TV ad which aired during ''Series/PerfectStrangers''.
!!!I'm Spelling as Fast as I Can
* The montage as Homer eats the Ribwich spoofs the one used for drugs in ''Literature/RequiemForADream''.
!!!A Star Is Born Again
* The title is a portmanteau of ''A Star is Born'' and "born-again".
!!!Mr. Spritz Goes to Washington
* The title is a pun on ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington''.
* Krusty's face is pasted over several famous photographs, including Iwo-Jima, "Tank-Man"[[note]]The protester which faced a tank during the Tiananmen protests[[/note]] and Jack Ruby shooting Lee Harvey Oswald.
!!!C.E.D'oh
* The ''Itchy & Scratchy'' short parodies ''Film/AmericanGraffiti'' and the deaths of Music/BuddyHolly, Music/RitchieValens, and Music/TheBigBopper [[CrossesTheLineTwice (who were all vampires.)]]
* Burns attempts to brick Homer into a vault, referencing "Literature/TheCaskOfAmontillado".
!!!'Scuse Me While I Miss the Sky
* The title references a lyric on the song ''[[Music/JimiHendrix Purple Haze]]''.
!!!Three Gays of the Condo
* The montage at the end features a parody of "Jack and Diane".
!!!Dude, Where's My Ranch?
* The title is a pun on ''Dude, Where's My Car?''.
!!!Old Yeller Belly
* The title is a portmanteau of ''Old Yeller'' and "yellow-belly"[[note]]A term for "coward"[[/note]].
!!!Brake My Wife, Please
* The title is a pun on "take my wife, please".
* Homer hits [[Series/DennisTheMenace George Wilson]] with a stick.
!!!The Bart Of War
* The title is a pun on The Art of War.
* In response to ''Westernanimation/SouthPark'' having done the "Simpsons Already Did It" episode, this one has Bart and Milhouse watching that show.
!!!Moe Baby Blues
* Moe tells Maggie ''Film/TheGodfather'', which becomes a key plot point.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 15]]
!!!Treehouse XIV
!!!My Mother The Car Jacker
* Among the clips of the 60s montage on the news we see Series/{{Batman|1966}} doing the "Batusi".
!!!The President Wore Pearls
* This episode spoofs the musical ''Music/{{Evita}}''. A caption at the end states "On the advice of our lawyers, [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial we have never heard of a musical based on the life of Eva Peron]]."
!!!The Regina Monologues
* The title parodies that of ''Theatre/TheVaginaMonologues''.
* The scene where Homer circles the roundabout in front of Buckingham Palace parodies a similar scene in ''National Lampoon's European Vacation''.
!!!The Fat & The Furriest
!!!Today I Am a Clown
!!!'Tis the 15th Season
* The title is a pun on the Christmas song ''Tis the Season to be Jolly''.
* Homer watches ''Mr. Magrew's Christmas Carol'', an obvious pun on ''WesternAnimation/MrMagoo'' and ''A Christmas Carol'', several other takes on the latter are briefly shown, including a ''Star Trek'' version.
!!!Marge vs. Singles, Seniors, Childless Couples, Teens and Gays
* Roofi is an obvious parody of Raffi.
* The scene of the babies attending the Roofi concert greatly resembles UsefulNotes/{{Woodstock}}.
* The kids watching in horror as the "R" in the "Toys R Us" sign is turned frontward, especially Milhouse's expression, is a reference to the famous photograph taken during the Nazi occupation of France.
* The scene of the Itchy & Scratchy statue being taken down with a tank parodies the destruction of the statue of UsefulNotes/SaddamHussein during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
* The scene where the kids make the childless people love children (either that, or making them sick as with Moe) by touching them parodies the ending to ''Literature/TheWarOfTheWorlds''.
-->'''Lisa:''' For all their disposable income, for all their leisure time, they had no immunity against God's lowliest creatures: children.
!!!I D'oh-bot
* The title is a pun on ''I, Robot''.
!!!Diatribe of a Mad Housewife
!!!Margical History Tour
* The title is a pun on Magical Mystery Tour.
!!!Milhouse Doesn't Live Here Anymore
* The title is presumably a reference to ''Film/AliceDoesntLiveHereAnymore''.
* The TV museum has an exhibit called "Things that shouldn't talk, but do", consisting of Series/LancelotLinkSecretChimp, the robot from ''Series/LostInSpace'', [[Series/KnightRider KITT]], [[Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch Salem]], and Series/MisterEd. They also have an exhibit called "Nosy Neighbors", consisting of [[Series/{{Bewitched}} Mrs. Kravitz]], [[Series/ThreesCompany Mr. Roper]], and Ned Flanders.
!!!Smart & Smarter
* The title is the opposite of ''Dumb And Dumber''.
!!!The Ziff Who Came to Dinner
* The background music of "The Re-Deadening" (a horror film that Homer takes Bart and Lisa to see) is the theme from Film/RosemarysBaby.
* When Lisa is investigating the strange noises from the attic, she quickly becomes frightened and tearfully says farewell to Homer and Marge on camera, parodying the apology scene from Film/TheBlairWitchProject.
!!!Co-Dependents Day
* The title is a pun on Independence Day.
!!!The Wandering Juvie
!!!My Big Fat Geek Wedding
* The title is a pun on My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
* Several pop culture franchises appear during the convention scene at various booths, including the typical ''Star Wars'', ''Battlestar Galactica'',''Flash Gordon'' and ''Star Trek'' references. One relatively deep cut though is a partially obscured booth for ''{{Toys/BIONICLE}}'' with a poster behind it depicting a character in a Kanohi Hau similar to the design in the Miramax direct to video films. A statue of ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' is also visible at the convention.
!!!Catch 'Em If You Can
* The title is a pun on Catch Me If You Can.
!!!Simple Simpson
* The title is a pun on the Nursery Rhyme Simple Simon.
* Marge kisses Homer as Pie-Man while he is hanging upside-down just like Mary-Jane does to Peter Parker in ''Film/SpiderMan1''.
!!!The Way We Weren't
* The title is a pun on The Way We Were.
!!!Bart-Mangled Banner
* The title is a pun on Star-Spangled Banner.
!!!Fraudcast News
* The title is a pun on Broadcast News.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 16]]
!!!Treehouse XV
!!!All's Fair in Oven War
!!!Sleeping With the Enemy
!!!She Used to be My Girl
* In ''The Stinger'', Lisa is praying to Buhda, Jesus, and ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants''. When Buhda thinks that they should help, [=SpongeBob=] just says "Screw Her!" and [[EvilLaugh laughs maniacally]] instead of doing his famous "Dyeyeyeyeyeye!!!" laugh.
!!!Fat Man & Little Boy
* One of the Itchy and Scratchy T-Shirts is called [[WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants ScratchBob ItchPants]]
!!!Midnight Rx
* Mr. Burns' plane, the ''Plywood Pelican'', is a parody of Howard Hughes' ''Spruce Goose''.
* Ralph says "I'm cuckoo for contraband", a reference to the Cocoa Puffs tagline "I'm cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs".
* The Canadian drug store "Dudley Do-Drugs" is a pun on ''WesternAnimation/DudleyDoRight''.
!!!Mommie Beerest
!!!Homer & Ned's Hail Mary Pass
!!!Pranksta Rap
!!!There's Something About Marrying
!!!On a Clear Day, I Can't See My Sister
* The title is a pun on ''OnAClearDayICanSeeForever''.
* Sprawl-Mart is a parody of Wal-Mart. Lampshaded with a banner saying it's not a rip-off of Wal-Mart.
** The subplot is also a parody of Wal-Mart's controversies regard its treatment of their employees.
* The family joins together to play "Tijuana Taxi".
!!!Goo Goo Gai Pan
* Being set in Beijing and having a sign reading "Tiananmen Square: Nothing Happened Here in 1989.", there is also a recreation of the famous Tank man picture.
!!!Mobile Homer
!!!The Seven Beer Snitch
!!!Future-Drama
* The title is a pun on ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}''. In addition, Bender makes a cameo.
* Jenda mentions that Mr. Burns stole Christmas, a nod to ''WesternAnimation/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas''.
!!!Don't Fear the Roofer
* The title plays with the Music/BlueOysterCult song "Don't Fear the Reaper."
!!!The Heartbroke Kid
!!!A Star is Torn
!!!Thank God It's Doomsday
!!!Home Away from Homer
* Music/BadCompany's eponymous song plays during Ned's rebellion from Humbleton.
* Humbleton figurines are a parody of Hummel figurines.
* When Ned enters Humbleton, Lara's Theme from ''Film/DoctorZhivago'' plays.
!!!The Father, the Son and the Holy Guest Star
* When Lisa mentions that Latin is "the language of Plutarch", Homer confuses him with [[WesternAnimation/PlutoThePup Mickey Mouse's dog]].
* The "Ministry Machine" is a parody of the Mystery Machine from ''Franchise/ScoobyDoo''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 17]]
!!!Bonfire of the Manatees
* The title references ''Literature/BonfireOfTheVanities.''
* The adult film shot at Homer's house is ''[[Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents Lemony Lick-It's A Series of Horny Events]]''.
* The Santa in the Holiday Village reads Creator/TomClancy's ''Literature/OffCenter.''
* Marge yells "I've got my groove back!", a reference to ''Film/HowStellaGotHerGrooveBack.''
* Music/RoseRoyce's song Car Wash plays at the end.
!!!The Girl Who Slept Too Little
* The title is a reference to ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooLittle'', itself a play on ''Film/TheManWhoKnewTooMuch.''
* The couch gag features Gumby.
* Milton Burkhart is a parody of the late Creator/MauriceSendak, and the Land of the Wild Beasts of his ''Literature/WhereTheWildThingsAre.''
!!!Milhouse of Sand and Fog
* The title is a reference to Literature/HouseOfSandAndFog.
* The opening in the church is a reference to ''Film/TheBluesBrothers.''
* Bart calls his plan a "reverse Film/{{The Parent Trap|1961}}."
* Series/TheOC inspires Bart's plan.
* Milhouse and Bart sing "The Farmer and the Cowman" from ''Theatre/{{Oklahoma}}'' in Milhouse's ImagineSpot.
!!!Treehouse XVI
* Bart-ificial Intelligence is a parody of ''Film/AIArtificialIntelligence.''
* Survival of the Fattest is a parody of Literature/TheMostDangerousGame.
* Maggie at the end parodies the titles for ''Series/{{Bewitched}}''
** Sideshow Mel became Spiderman.
** Moe became Hugh Hefner.
!!!Marge's Son Poisoning
* Marge, Bart, & Homer sing Music/LynyrdSkynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama.
* The Tea House Marge and Bart go to is called the [[Music/LeifGarrett Leaf Garret.]]
* The china store is called Film/TheChinaSyndrome.
!!!See Homer Run
!!!Last of the Red Hat Mamas
!!!The Italian Bob
!!!Simpsons Christmas Stories
!!!Homer's Paternity Coot
!!!We're on the Road to D'ohwhere
!!!My Fair Laddy
!!!The Seemingly Never Ending Story
!!!Bart Has Two Mommies
!!!Homer Simpson, This is Your Wife
!!!Million Dollar Abie
!!!Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore
!!!The Wettest Stories Ever Told
!!!Girls Just Want to Have Sums
* The title is a reference to Music/CyndiLauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun".
* When Lisa takes off her disguise, Dolph complains that "We've been [[Film/{{Yentl}} Yentled]]!"
* Martin sings part of Music/JethroTull's "Thick as a Brick" after he plays the flute, followed by the original playing over the closing credits.
!!!Regarding Margie
!!!The Monkey Suit
* The plot is a parody of the "Monkey Trial" of 1925, as well as the play it inspired, ''Theatre/InheritTheWind''.
* The conservative lawyer is seen feeding a deer and makes an allusion to ''{{WesternAnimation/Bambi}}'' to demonize evolution.
* Marge has a picture of herself with a costumed [[{{ComicStrip/Peanuts}} Snoopy]], which also advertises [=MetLife=].
!!!Homer and Marge Turn a Couple Play
* Grandpa's flashback parodies ''Film/ALeagueOfTheirOwn.''
* Tabitha Vixx (voiced by Mandy Moore) is a spoof of Music/BritneySpears.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 18]]
!!!The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer
* Fat Tony has a ''WesternAnimation/FindingNemo'' bedsheet for his car.
* When Fat Tony asks Milhouse for a three-ring binder, Milhouse asks if he wants the ComicStrip/Garfield or ComicStrip/LoveIs one. Fat Tony picks Garfield.
!!!Jazzy & the Pussycats
!!!Please Homer, Don't Hammer 'Em
!!!Treehouse XVII
!!!G. I. D'oh
!!!Moe N/A Lisa
* While taunting Lisa the authors and Moe play [[Music/TheBlackEyedPeas Let's Get it Started.]]
!!!Ice Cream of Margie (with the Light Blue Hair)
* The title is a parody of the song "Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair".
* ''Opal'' is a parody of ''Series/TheOprahWinfreyShow''.
* Homer's method of getting dressed is based on the opening sequence to ''Series/DaAliGShow''.
* The theme to ''The Streets of San Francisco'' plays when Homer speeds to Marge's art show.
* Homer mistakes the giant Popsicle-stick statue of himself for that of WesternAnimation/MagillaGorilla.
!!!The Haw-Hawed Couple
* The title is a pun on ''Theatre/TheOddCouple''.
* The ''Angelica Button'' books are a parody of the ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' books.
* Bart and Nelson's walk through Springfield Elementary is a direct parody of the scene from "Goodfellas", where Henry Hill escorts his date Karen through a nightclub. Both scenes even feature a song by The Crystals, only using "Then He Kissed Me" in the original and "He's A Rebel" in the homage.
* Nelson breaks his camera in frustration and yells "Look what you made me do!", much like Annie Wilkes in ''Literature/{{Misery}}''.
* The scene of Angelica Button trapped in a giant hourglass resembles the climax of ''{{WesternAnimation/Aladdin}}''.
* In Homer's revised book ending, Wizard Greystache fights like {{ComicStrip/Popeye}}.
* The ending is a parody of ''Film/BrokebackMountain''.
!!!Kill Gil, Volumes 1 & 2
!!!The Wife Aquatic
!!!Revenge is A Dish Best Served Three Times
!!!Little Big Girl
!!!Springfield Up
!!!Yokel Cord
!!!Rome-old and Julie-eh
* The title and plot are reminiscent of ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet''.
* To save gas, Homer drives his car with foot power like on ''WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones''.
* "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" by Joe Jackson plays during Abe and Selma's FallingInLoveMontage.
* The deliveryman who brings Bart the boxes he ordered complains the boxes are for shipping, not [[Film/WillyWonkaAndTheChocolateFactory creating a world of pure imagination]].
* The battle between Bart and Lisa and the deliverymen is based on ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings''.
!!!Homerazzi
* Marge's screenplay ''Mrs. Mom'' (which Rainer Wolfcastle later plagiarizes) is based on ''Film/MrMom''.
!!!Marge Gamer
* Lisa says she liked soccer since she saw ''Film/BendItLikeBeckham''.
!!!The Boys of Bummer
* The title is a pun on ''The Boys of Summer''.
* Bart's ordeal references the public shaming of Bill Buckner and Steve Bartman for their baseball-related mistakes. Bartman would be referenced again when Homer (complete with jersey and headphones) catches one of the balls Bart was supposed to catch.
* Jimbo, Dolph and Kearney sing an anti-Bart rendition of "Love Stinks" by Music/TheJGeilsBand.
* At one point, Bart gets hit by a baseball and all his clothes fly off, much like Charlie Brown from ''{{ComicStrip/Peanuts}}''.
* The voice and appearance of the baseball announcer are modeled after Vin Scully, the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
* The phrase "The Isotots lose the pennant!" is based on the phrase "The Giants win the pennant!" when the New York Giants win the 1951 National League pennant.
* The theme that plays when Bart watches the all fly through the air is based on the score from ''Film/{{Rudy}}''.
* The plot about the game being replayed is based on ''TheBestOfTimes''.
!!!Crook and Ladder
* ''Smothering Mother'' magazine is a Larry Flynt publication.
* Napien is an obvious parody of Ambien. In fact, Lisa was about to call it that before correcting herself.
* While sleepwalking, Homer stacks a bunch of VHS tapes like dominoes, the first one pushed being a copy of ''{{Film/CHUD}}''.
!!!Stop of My Dog Will Shoot
!!!24 Minutes
* The episode is a parody of ''Series/TwentyFour''.
!!!You Kent Always Say What You Want
* The title is a pun on Music/{{The Rolling Stones|Band}} song "You Can't Always Get What You Want".
* The scene where Marge brings Maggie home parodies ''Film/RaisingArizona''.
* Ludacris' video ''Menace Tooth Society'', as well as Lisa's reaction, parodies ''Film/MenaceIISociety''. The "gum disease" monster references HardcoreHipHop trio Naughty By Nature and their 1991 SignatureSong by declaring "I'm down with O.P.P.--ongoing periodontal problems."
* The theme from ''Film/MidnightCowboy'' plays when Kent is fired.
* A highlight of Kent's career is interviewing [[Franchise/StarWars R2-D2]].
* Kent's method of speaking his mind against Fox parodies ''Film/GoodNightAndGoodLuck''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 19]]
!!!He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs
!!!The Homer of Seville
* Julia closing her eyes, revealing "Love You" on her eyelids parodies a similar scene in ''Film/RaidersOfTheLostArk''.
!!!Midnight Towboy
!!!I Don't Wanna Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
!!!Treehouse XVIII
!!!Little Orphan Millie
!!!Husbands & Knives
!!!Funeral For A Fiend:
* Marge Tivo's [[Creator/OprahWinfrey Opal]], [[Series/SexInTheCity Snuggle and the City]], [[Series/TheDogWhisperer The Dog-Talk-To-Er,]] and [[Series/PimpMyRide Pimp My Laundry Room,]] as well as saved Series/{{Lost}}, watched all of Series/{{Rome}} in a day, and got through Series/TwoAndAHalfMen in two and a half minutes, before running out of space and having to choose between ''Film/SophiesChoice'' and ''Film/SchindlersList.''
* The song Krusty sings is a parody of [[Music/EltonJohn Candle In the Wind.]]
!!!Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind
!!!E Pluribus Wiggum
!!!That 90's Show
!!!Love, Springfieldian Style
!!!The Debarted
!!!Dial N For Nerder
!!!Smoke on the Daughter
!!!Papa Don't Leech
!!!Apocalypse Cow
!!!Any Given Sundance
!!!Mona Leaves-A
!!!All About Lisa
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 20]]
!!!Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes
!!!Lost Verizon
!!!Double, Double, Boy In Trouble
!!!Treehouse XIX
!!!Dangerous Curves
* The story structure is inspired by ''Film/TwoForTheRoad'', and some specific parts of the film are also parodied.
!!!Homer & Lisa Exchange Cross Words
!!!MyPods & Broomsticks
* The Genie from ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'' appears in Homer's dream.
!!!The Burns & The Bees
!!!Lisa the Drama Queen
* The plot is reminiscent of the film ''Film/HeavenlyCreatures'', complete with one of the characters in the episode sharing a name with a character in the film.
!!!Take My Life, Please
!!!How the Test Was Won
!!!No Loan Again, Naturally
!!!Gone Maggie Gone
* The plot is basically ''Literature/TheDaVinciCode'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] ''Film/NationalTreasure''.
* The plotline involving the rats is a homage to ''WesternAnimation/{{Ratatouille}}''. Also, at one point a rat can be seen riding an eggbeater, a possible reference to a scene in ''Film/TheMuppetsTakeManhattan'' (which in itself is HilariousInHindsight thanks to ''Ratatouille'').
!!!In the Name of the Grandfather
* There's a gag based on ''Film/{{Once}}'', with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová reprising their roles from the film.
* The scene at Giant's Causeway parodies ''VideoGame/QBert''.
!!!Wedding for Disaster
* Maggie's ImagineSpot involves Marge being a parody of Franchise/{{Godzilla}} and Homer as Film/KingKong. Then Kong!Homer sits down and reads ''Apes'' magazine, a parody of ''People''.
* [[spoiler:Patty and Selma]]'s torture of Homer is based on the ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'' series.
!!!Eeny Meany Maya Moe
!!!The Good, The Sad, & The Druggly
!!!Father Knows Worst
!!!Waverly Hills, 9021D'oh
!!!Four Great Women & A Manicure
!!!Coming to Homerica
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 21]]
!!!Homer the Whopper"
!!!"Bart Gets a 'Z'"
!!!"The Great Wife Hope"
!!!"Treehouse of Horror XX"
!!!"The Devil Wears Nada"
!!!"Pranks and Greens"
!!!"Rednecks and Broomsticks
!!!"O Brother, Where Bart Thou?"
!!!"Thursdays with Abie"
!!!"Once Upon a Time in Springfield"
!!!"Million Dollar Maybe"
!!!"Boy Meets Curl"
!!!"The Color Yellow"
!!!"Postcards from the Wedge"
!!!"Stealing First Base"
!!!"The Greatest Story Ever D'ohed"
!!!"American History X-cellent"
!!!"Chief of Hearts"
!!!"The Squirt and the Whale"
* The chalkboard gag is "Westernanimation/SouthPark – We'd stand beside you if we weren't so scared" in response to that show's controversy regarding the depiction of Muhammad.
!!!"To Surveil with Love"
!!!"Moe Letter Blues"
!!!"The Bob Next Door"
!!! "Judge Me Tender"
* Given the episode aired the same day as the ''Series/{{Lost}}'' finale, the chalkboard gag is "End of "Lost": it was all the dog's dream. Watch us."
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 22]]
!!!"Elementary School Musical"
!!!"Loan-a Lisa"
!!!"MoneyBART"
!!!"Treehouse of Horror XXI"
!!!"Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life"
!!!"The Fool Monty"
!!!"How Munched is That Birdie in the Window?"
!!!"The Fight Before Christmas"
!!!"Donnie Fatso"
!!!"Moms I'd Like to Forget"
!!!"Flaming Moe"
!!!"Homer the Father"
!!!"The Blue and the Gray"
!!!"Angry Dad: The Movie"
!!!"The Scorpion's Tale"
!!!"A Midsummer's Nice Dream"
!!!"Love Is a Many Strangled Thing"
!!!"The Great Simpsina"
!!!The Real Housewives of Fat Tony"
!!!"Homer Scissorhands"
!!!"500 Keys"
!!!The Ned-Liest Catch"
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 23]]
!!!Holidays of Future Passed
* Maggie rides in a broken-down plane based on the ones seen in ''Film/MadMax''.
!!!Them, Robot
* Barney references ''Film/TheFullMonty''.
!!!Lisa Goes Gaga
* Blink and miss - the mirror showing Lady Gaga in the ''{{Comicbook/Vampirella}}'' costume.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 24]]
!!!Moonshine River
* When the Simpsons are in Times Square where we first see them in New York City to find Mary Spuckler there:
-->'''Homer:''' Look at this place! Things have certainly changed since our ancestor [[WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTail Fievel]] came here!
-->'''Lisa:''' [[WesternAnimation/AnAmericanTail Fievel was a mouse in a movie]].
!!!Penny-Wiseguys
* Matt Groening has been cryptic about whether Homer is deliberately named after the character of Homer Simpson in Nathanael West's 1939 novel ''Literature/TheDayOfTheLocust'', but the series still has fun lampshading the connection when Homer is rescuing Dan Gillick from a swarm of grasshoppers:
-->'''Homer:''' I never thought Homer Simpson would be a part of the Day of the Locust!
!!!Pulpit Friction
* The title is a parody of ''Film/PulpFiction''
* The scene where the bedbugs infest Springfield parodies the ending to ''Film/RiseOfThePlanetOfTheApes''. An ape is even seen riding on horseback over a bridge.
* The scene where Moe collects bedbug-infested mattresses while shouting "Bring out your beds!" is a nod to ''Film/MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail''.
* The scene where the frogs cross the river is a reference to ''VideoGame/{{Frogger}}''.
* [[Franchise/TheMuppets Kermit the Frog]] makes a cameo.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 25]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 26]]
!!!Treehouse of Horror XXV
* The many different versions of the Simpson family at the end:
** The anime/manga family, with Homer as Zoro from ''Manga/OnePiece'', Marge as Rangiku from ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', Bart as Naruto from the [[Manga/{{Naruto}} titular manga]], Lisa as Mikasa from ''Manga/AttackOnTitan'', Maggie as Pikachu from ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', and Santa's Little Helper as Haku from ''Anime/SpiritedAway''.
** The ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' family, with Bart as Finn, Marge as Princess Bubblegum, Homer as the Ice King, Lisa as Fiona, and Santa's Little Helper as Jake.
** The ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' family, complete with Bart and Lisa as Stan and Kyle.
** The ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' family.
** The family as Minions from ''Franchise/DespicableMe''.
!!!Waiting for Duffman
* In the scene just prior to Homer taking the Duffman oath, a video briefly plays of a Duff-themed ''Series/GameOfThrones'' opening, complete with music. Homer [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] the absurdity of the situation with "Seems awfully overproduced".
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 27]]
!!!Friend With Benefit
* In place of a CouchGag, the episode starts with a parody of the Disney short film ''Feast'' called ''Fat'' with Santa's Little Helper in place of Winston. It's a DeconstructiveParody version of the story where Santa's Little Helper becomes morbidly obese because of all the table scraps and other people food he's being fed.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 28]]
!!!The Cad and the Hat
* In the episode's CouchGag, the family notices their sailboat painting has gone missing, and Bart says "maybe another animated show stole it?". Cue Homer walking through the animated sets of ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' and ''The California Raisins'' to look for the painting before finding it in the ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' Nerd's room.
!!! The Last Traction Hero
* Homer discovers some sort of torture chamber with a WickedCultured flair in what is supposed to be Burns's bathroom. One curiosity present is the Art/NefertitiBust (or a replica). Homer leaves and does not ask questions.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 29]]
!!!The Serfsons
* The episode is a WholePlotReference to ''Series/GameOfThrones'', even including an appearance from Azzlan.
* The potions sold at Dr. Hibbert's shop include [[VideoGame/{{Minecraft}} a Mundane Potion]], [[Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia Lucy's Cordial]], [[TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds and of Barkskin +2]], [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Red, Green and Blue Potions with prices in rupees]], [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Ent-Draught]], and [[Literature/HarryPotter Polyjuce Potion]].
* [[WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon Toothless]]'s head is mounted inside Moe's Tavern.
* Willie is a ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}''-styled orc.
!!!Lisa Gets the Blues
* Bart is forced to dress like ''ComicStrip/LittleOrphanAnnie'' (down to having his eyes whitened with correction fluid) and to sing a number from the musical ''Annie''.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Season 31]]
!!!The Winter Of Our Monetized Content
* The title is a reference to the John Steinbeck novel, ''The Winter of Our Discontent''.
* In detention, the kids get assigned labels, like in ''Film/TheBreakfastClub''.
* A title card appears that says "Making A Misbehaver", which references ''Series/MakingAMurderer''.
* Homer and Bart end up doing [[VideoGame/{{Fortnite}} the floss, and the captions beg the backpack kid not to sue]].
!!!Bart the Bad Guy
* The fictional superhero Airshot’s logo is the same as the Air Elemental symbol in ‘’WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender’’.
[[/folder]]
!!Media references
* ''Dennis the Menace'':
** The "spoken portrait" made by the police on "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken" resembles Dennis, with Wiggum commenting that it looks like the kid who attacked "that widow Wilson".
** In "Brake My Wife, Please", Homer hits Mr. Wilson with a tree branch.
* ''ComicStrip/{{Peanuts}}'':
** In "Simpsons Roasting On A Open Fire" Bart tells Homer that miracles always happen to poor kids with Christmas: ''It happened to Charlie Brown, Tiny Tim and the Smurfs and it will happen to us.''
** At the start of "Treehouse of Horror II" a group of children in Halloween outfits pass by The Simpsons' house, in reference to ''WesternAnimation/ItsTheGreatPumpkinCharlieBrown''.
** Bart tries to distract the attention in "The Boy Who Knew Too Much" by quickly taking a newspaper: "Hey, look at this: Charlie Brown says "Good Grief". Hahaha, I didn't see THAT one coming."
** The end of "Treehouse Of Horror IV" has the family mimic the end of the ''Peanuts'' Christmas specials, complete with Milhouse playing piano à la Schroeder and Santa's Little Helper doing the Snoopy dance.
** In "Miracle On Evergreen Terrace" The old folks in Springfields' rest home dance just like the children in WesternAnimation/ACharlieBrownChristmas.
** Homer makes a Snoopy puzzle in "Burns Baby Burns".
** Santa's Little Helper imitates Snoopy in his Red Baron outfit in "The Seven-Beer Snitch" and again in the title sequence of "The Scorpion's Tale". He dances like him in the couch gag of "The Computer Wore Menace Shoes".
** Homer is seen sleeping on the dog kennel in "Hungry Hungry Homer" while Bart says: ''Good grief!''
** In "Treehouse Of Horror XIV" Bart and Lisa dress up like Charlie Brown and Lucy for Halloween.
** Bart is knocked upside down during a baseball match in "The Boys of Bummer", much like Charlie Brown used to suffer.
** The final segment of "Treehouse of Horror XIX" is a parody of ''WesternAnimation/ItsTheGreatPumpkinCharlieBrown''.
** Schroeder has a cameo in "The Fight Before Christmas".
** Lisa names Peppermint Patty and Marcie as two of her personal lesbian heroes, though she adds that she suspects that only Patty is lesbian.
* ''Psycho'':
** In "Itchy & Scratchy vs. Marge", the scene of Maggie hitting Homer with a club resembles the infamous "shower scene".
** The episode "Brother from the Same Planet" portrays Principal Skinner as a Norman Bates-style character.
** In "Cape Feare", Sideshow Bob stays at the "Bates Motel".
!!Character references
* Homer Simpson:
** His voice is based on that of Walter Matthau, especially notable in the shorts and the first season. This is acknowledged in "Angry Dad: The Movie".
* Bart Simpson:
** Earlier seasons had him as a modern ''ComicStrip/{{Dennis the Menace|US}}'', with the episode "Two Bad Neighbors" essentially putting former President George H.W. Bush in the role of Mr. Wilson.
* Krusty the Klown
** Krusty was based on Bozo the Clown and Rusty Nails, a local TV clown of the 1950s.
** His Jewish background, charity work and addiction to Percodan were lifted from Creator/JerryLewis.