He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs/References

Episode	References	Gags	Appearances	Gallery	Quotes	Credits

◄ The Simpsons Movie

He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs

The Homer of Seville ►

Cultural references

• The episode title is a pun on "We love to fly, and it shows", an advertising slogan used by Delta Air Lines in the 1980s.
• While in Chicago, Mr. Burns and Homer walk into a salon called "Ferris Bueller's Day of Beauty", a pun on John Hughes' 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. When they exit the salon, they are dressed as Ferris and his friend Cameron, respectively.
• The marquee on the front of Wrigley Field lists the Cubs' World Series championships in 1907 and 1908. This is a reference to the team's notorious title drought, which finally ended in 2016, nine years after this episode aired.
• While walking through Chicago, Homer and Mr. Burns pass a generic-looking baseball stadium labeled "Wherever the White Sox play", an obvious nod to the city's American League franchise and their frequently changing stadium name (originally called Comiskey Park (after their previous stadium), the park was renamed U.S. Cellular Field in 2003 and again to Guaranteed Rate Field in 2016).
• On the plane, Lionel Richie serenades Homer with the song Say You, Say Me (from Taylor Hackford's 1985 movie White Nights), with the lyrics changed to "Hey You, Beer Me". Then, at Homer's request, Richie sings the song with every word as "beer".
• Mr. Burns and Homer catch a show at the real-life Second City Theater. Both Dan Castellaneta and guest star Stephen Colbert were members of Second City early in their careers.

Trivia

• This was the first episode to air after the release of The Simpsons Movie. Also, it is the first post-movie episode. As such, it has a unique Opening Sequence:
  • In the chalkboard gag, Bart writes "I will not wait 20 years to make another movie", a reference to 2007 (the year of the movie's release) marking the 20th anniversary of the Simpsons franchise (when the Ullman Shorts are included).
    • During the skateboarding, the Multi-eyed squirrel jumps onto Bart's shoulder and tries to bite him but gets shoved off by one of "Burns Construction"'s wrecking balls.
  • Bart skateboards through a broken and damaged Springfield, currently under repair.
  • Shards of the destroyed dome and characters from the movie are visible as Bart skateboards through the streets.
  • When Homer pulls into the driveway, the "Pig Crap" silo is strapped to the roof of his car.
  • The Simpson house is being rebuilt, and is only partially done.
  • Plopper the Spider-pig appears in the couch gag, and Homer calls him "My summer love", a reference to The Simpsons Movie having been released in summer between seasons of the show.
• The following names are listed on the Softball Sign-Up sheet on the bulletin board inside the Nuclear Plant:
  • Jim
  • Steve
  • Lance
  • Frank (despite the fact Frank Grimes is deceased and his son, Frank Grimes, Jr. is in jail for trying to murder Homer in "The Great Louse Detective")
  • Jacob
  • Nathan
  • Mindy (despite being fired after "The Last Temptation of Homer")
  • Carl
  • Lenny
  • Kevin
  • Matt

Goofs

• When Lionel Richie appears, Homer's glass of wine disappears.
• When Svetlana says goodbye to Homer by saying "Love you", her mouth doesn't move.
• When Homer emerges from Ferris Bueller's Day of Beauty Salon, he emerges in an off-colored Detroit Red Wings hockey sweater (even though it should be Blackhawks one as he is in Chicago).