Beyond Blunderdome/References

Trivia

 * The Electaurus car seen at the start of the episode is a driveable vehicle in The Simpsons Road Rage and The Simpsons Hit & Run.

Cultural references

 * The title is a reference to the movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, in which Mel Gibson starred.
 * When Homer is watching a test screening for Mel Gibson's remake of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, he badmouths it, saying "At least the Jimmy Stewart version had the giant rabbit who ran the savings and loan!". These are references to Harvey and It's a Wonderful Life.
 * Rainier Wolfcastle is seen filming Saving Irene Ryan, a reference to both Saving Private Ryan and the TV sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies.
 * After the studio cart crashes, Mel says to Homer, "I'm getting too old for this crap," paraphrasing what Danny Glover often says to Mel Gibson's Lethal Weapon character.
 * Mel Gibson tossing away his U.S. Senator badge at the end of the Mr. Smith remake is similar to the endings of Dirty Harry and High Noon.
 * Mel Gibson's pilot is John Travolta, who plays a pilot in a number of films including 'Look who's talking', but is also himself a certified pilot who owns five aircraft.
 * The police shoot-out scene with Robert Downey Jr. is a reference to Downey's problems with the law in the 1990's, during which the actor battled drug addiction and was arrested on several occasions.
 * Mel Gibson says to Marge, "I speed all the time, but cops never give me a ticket." This episode aired seven years before Gibson was arrested for speeding and DUI.