Sideshow Bob Roberts/References

Cultural references

 * Much of the episode is based on the and borrows many elements from the film  which focused on the investigation into the incident by  and . These include the meeting with Smithers and the overheard shot of Lisa in the library.
 * Bob's aides are parodies of Richard Nixon's advisors during Watergate, and.
 * Quimby's appearance at the debate mimics Nixon's appearance at the 1960 Presidential debate after he had just recovered from a cold.
 * Birch Barlow is a parody of conservative talk-show host.
 * The title is a reference to the film Bob Roberts, a 1992 film following the eponymous politician, suggesting that success comes from shady deals, hypocrisy and deceit. Bob enters the meeting wrapped in an American flag, a reference to the film's poster.
 * Archie, Jughead and Reggie from the Archie Comics throw Homer out of their car, while Moose says "Duh, stay out of Riverdale!". It is not known how he met them or what he did to offend them.
 * Homer later refers to them again; he is seen reading an Archies comic and comments "Riverdale punks, think they're too good for me!"
 * In court, Bob says,"You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!" A reference to a line from the movie A Few Good Men starring Jack Nicholson.
 * Birch Barlow mentions the cartoon spokesperson Joe Camal.
 * Springwood Minimum Security Prison is a parody of Allenwood Minimum Security Prison

Trivia

 * Sideshow Bob was released by Democratic mayor Joe Quimby after pressure from Republican-inspired protests. In "Black Widower" he claimed he and his prisonmates would be released on the streets once the Democrats were back in power.