Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment/References

Episode	References	Gags	Appearances	Gallery	Quotes	Credits

◄ The Way We Was

Homer vs. Lisa and the 8th Commandment

Principal Charming ►

Trivia

• Bart's mention of the Atlanta Braves as being a cable television mainstay was accurate, as their then-owner Ted Turner would air games nationally on TBS.
• The Flanders' doorbell plays the theme song from the 1960s Christian claymation show Davey and Goliath, which was based on the hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
• The broadcaster who announces during the pre-fight coverage is the same man who announced Todd Flanders and Bart's golf showdown in "Dead Putting Society".
• When introducing the family to their new cable Homer says they have "1600 hours of quality programming a day." A number that if divided by the hours in a day would equal 66.6 (recurring) channels, fitting for the theme of the episode.
• Before the cable salesman comes into the house, Homer briefly watches "Porch Pals", the non-violent episode of Itchy and Scratchy, referencing the episode "Itchy & Scratchy & Marge".
• The blackboard gag refers to "The Bartman", a dance created by a Simpsons 1991 music video Do the Bartman.
• This episode won the Best Animated Program award at the Emmys in 1991.
• Though some Christian denominations do have the 8th commandment as "Thou shalt not steal," others (such as Roman Catholic and Lutheran) have "Thou Shalt Not Steal" as the 7th.
• This is the first time Bart actively swears in an episode.
• This is the first appearance of Troy McClure.
  • For unknown reasons in the Spanish dub, he is named Gregory Perkins.
• Bart shows interest in Hell even though he had actually been there three episodes back and hated it, however he may have forgotten it due to easy memory loss caused from watching television which he would mention in the Season 5 premiere.
• The scene where Homer says, "Why can't she be more like...? Well, not like Bart.", somewhat references Lisa's tomboyish personality from the Tracey Ullman Show shorts.
• Jimbo Jones can be spotted shoplifting twice in this episode - he's stealing oranges in the supermarket, and you can spot him in the security camera in the Kwik-E-Mart.
• Among the boys watching Bart's "Top Hat Entertainment" are Milhouse, Ralph, Wendel, Nelson, Jimbo, Dolph, Kearney, and Martin.

Cultural References

• Bart's reference to the Atlanta Braves as being on regular cable television was
• The opening scene where Moses shatters tablets is similar to Charlton Heston in the film The Ten Commandments.
• Another reference of Davey and Goliath: When Homer is watching television all night, he appears to be watching the show. A character off screen meant to be Davey says, "We could get there quicker if we took my dad's car!" Goliath answers, "I don't know Davey?".
• Homer jumping in the street to get the attention of the corrupt cable workman driving his van is based upon a scene in the film North by Northwest.
• "Top Hat Entertainment" may well reference the Playboy Bunny.
• The title of one of the adult films Bart attempts to show to his fellow students, "Broadcast Nudes", is a play on of the name of James L. Brooks' December 1987 film, Broadcast News. The film was also a Gracie Films production, co-produced with 20th Century Fox, and also referenced Matt Groening's hometown of Portland, Oregon at a time when Groening was still making Simpsons shorts for Brooks' Tracey Ullman Show. A few months before the episode debuted, it was also a part of the title of the Playboy Magazine which young Kevin McAllister read in the 20th Century Fox-distributed classic Home Alone.

Goofs

• Ms. Albright writes "HELL" on the whiteboard in red pen. In the next shot, "HELL" is in black, then a few shots later, "HELL" is in red again.
• When Lou and Eddie are at the door, the two have lines near their mouths which makes them look like the two have beaks.
• This episode's plot revolves around Homer stealing cable television. However, in "Homer's Odyssey" the Simpson family was shown to already have cable television.
• When the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant employees are showering, Lenny is initially standing behind a wall. However, on Mr. Burns' video monitor, Lenny appears to be standing in front of the wall.
• When Lou and Eddie enter, they walk as like they are walking down stairs.