Homer's Odyssey/References

Cultural references

 * The title refers to the Greek epic poem Odusseia, more commonly known as Odyssey, or The Odyssey which is traditionally ascribed to a figured called Homer who is believed to have compiled the epic into is current format.
 * The power plant doors that open up in different forms is a homage to the opening sequence in the 1960s show "Get Smart".
 * Bart is forced to sing "John Henry Was a Steel Drivin' Man" because he was being too loud on the bus.

Trivia

 * In the Season 1 DVD commentary, it is found out that the "J" in Homer's full name was inserted by the writers as a tribute to Bullwinkle J. Moose from The Rocky &amp; Bullwinkle Show.
 * The first time we see Mr. Burns office, it was rather differently arranged and smaller compared to later episodes.
 * One of the signs Homer puts up says: "Sign Ahead."
 * On their way to the power plant they pass the toxic waste dump, the tire yard (which is not on fire as of yet), the state prison and the elementary school.
 * The atom mascots' name is "Smilin' Joe Fission" who sweeps left over nuclear waste under the rug where "no one will find it for a billion years."
 * Bart's report card includes an F in Social Studies, an F in Math, a D in Physical Education, a U in Science, a U in Reading, and a U in writing.
 * Homer pens his suicide note on "Dumb Things I Gotta Do Today" stationery.
 * The three-eyed fish, Blinky, swims near the nuclear plant in a pond.
 * A sign at the plant reads, "Our Safety Record: [7] Days Since Last Accident."
 * El Barto is signed on the steps of city hall and Chief Wiggum talks about the graffiti problem in Springfield. He then passes around an artist sketch of the culprit who looks like an older and tougher Bart Simpson.
 * In the Rally against the power plant, Homer's opening line is "Thank You. Unlike most of you, I am not a nut".
 * Homer gets promoted to his current position as a Safety Inspector for the entire plant.
 * The crank call name that Bart gives to Moe's Tavern, I.P. Freely, is reused during Kent Brockman's report on Homer's fight with Tom in "Brother from the Same Planet" (though the ones responsible in that episode were implied to be drunken fraternity boys wanting to pull a prank, as it was stated that this same fight involved a giant lizard a'la "Godzilla". I. P. Freely was also the name used in the prank call in the first ever Futurama).
 * This is the first episode to have Homer's name in the title.
 * Springfield's anti-nuclear group are called "People against People for Nuclear Energy"
 * The Springfield Shopper headlines in the episode were: "Simpson Says Safe!", "Dozens Cheer Homer Simpson", "Homer Simpson Strikes Again!", "Watch Out, Here Comes Homer" and "Enough Already, Homer Simpson!"
 * Bart's report card includes and F in Social Studies and Maths, and a D in Physical Education.
 * Although Mr. Burns and Smithers first appear in the series premiere, this episode was technically their debut appearance, due to the episodes airing out of order as a result of the original first episode of the series being delayed due to huge mistakes in the animation that required it to be redrawn.
 * When the camera moves across to Marge and the kids when Homer delivers his speech at the Power Plant, there is a man standing on the left of the screen who looks like one of the Happy Little Elves but with yellow skin.

Goofs

 * At the very end of the episode, when Homer is being carried off by the crowd, you can see that the crowd carrying Homer, the people are small, so you'll have to look closely, but right before the credits, Marge's necklace changes from red to white, back to red and then finishes with white all in one shot.
 * Just after Mr Smithers says "...so that we have the energy to from your favourite video game to yummy cotton candy machines", all the children start clapping but the sound of clapping starts BEFORE they start clapping.
 * After Bart's prank call with Moe, you can see Bart and Lisa laughing. However the telephone's wire does not connect to the receiver.
 * As Sherri and Terri are walking along talking to Bart, one of the twins' bodies disappears and her head seems to be floating in mid-air.