Bart Gets an "F"/References

Cultural references

 * Bart gives Treasure Island (whose copy was "published by the good people at McGraw-Hill") a 9 on the Simpson scale of 1 to 10, although it is obvious Bart is just spewing off a number rather than making an informed judgment.


 * The "gorilla-film" that Homer and Bart are watching is an obvious spoof on King Kong.


 * Bart claims that, "As God as my witness, I can pass the fourth grade!" This is a reference to Gone with the Wind when Scarlett O'Hara says, "As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again!"

General Trivia

 * In Bart's fantasy about the snowy 4th of July, Benjamin Franklin's sled says Don't Sled on Me, a play on the famous serpent flag "Don't Tread on Me".
 * Despite passing the fourth grade, Bart, of course, remains in Mrs. Krabappel's class in all subsequent episodes, since virtually no time ever really passes on the show.
 * During the episode Bart writes "I will not fake my way through life" on the chalkboard.
 * The idea behind the grade on the refrigerator would reappear in Bart's Nightmare where a letter grade would appear and the mood of the Simpson family would differ, with a scene similar to the ultimate scene in "Bart Gets an F".
 * Milhouse' voice appears deeper.
 * When Homer askes Lisa what she wants, she says "An absence of moodswings." Since Lisa is only eight years, this should not affect her yet.

First Appearances

 * This is Mayor Quimby's first appearance.
 * This is the first episode with the show opening used between Season 2 to mid-twenty.