This is the second episode (after season eight's "Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)cious") to be rated TV-G on American television, despite containing content that may be unsuitable for younger and more sensitive viewers (such as the chalkboard punishment about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer's red nose not being "alcohol related"; Homer pretending to be handicapped in order to park in the handicapped space, Bart pretending to stab himself with the spearhead cookie, Bart getting strangled by Homer and Lisa, the town's cruel treatment of The Simpsons following Bart admitting that the burglar story was a lie, and the references to people being high on prescription medication [the old people dancing at the Springfield Retirement Home and when the town loots everything from The Simpsons' house]). The rating has since been changed to TV-PG, for suggestive dialogue (D) and offensive language (L) on cable reruns and Disney+. Amazon Prime Video has the rating down as TV-PG.
Cultural References[]
Rudolph the red nose reindeer is referenced in the Chalkboard Gag
"Jeopardy!" – Alex Trebek's comment that Marge owed the show $5,200 (based on her negative $5,200 score; in reality, contestants ending with a negative score are still given minor payments as part of union regulations) is a spoof of criticisms concerning Trebek's sometimes stern rules enforcement of the shows he hosted, particularly during the early years of "Jeopardy!". Also a likely reference to Alex Trebek's early years of hosting was that he is portrayed on The Simpsons with a mustache. At the time of the episode's airing, Alex Trebek still had his mustache. But on September 21, 2001, he shaved off his mustache for a clean-shaven look, and has remained that way ever since.
It's a Wonderful Life - the scene where everyone rallies around to support the Simpsons is reminiscent of the last scene of the classic holiday movie. The scene where George Bailey tells his child to stop playing the piano is also spoofed by Homer telling Lisa to stop playing the piano.
Goofs and Continuity Errors[]
Lou without his right arm
When the tree burns down, the sides of the two leftmost presents change color a few times.
Apu's jacket missing some green
When Bart gives false information to the family that they were robbed by a burglar and they come to comfort him, Lisa's left arm appears on Bart's shoulder before Lisa actually comes.
When Lou shrugs his shoulders, his right arm goes missing for a frame.
In this episode, the Old Jewish Man has a different voice than usual.
Jasper would not have been able to dance if he claimed he could not feel anything below his chin.
When Homer, Barney, and Moe watch the news at Moe's Tavern, the exterior of the Simpson garage appears green in a faraway shot before switching to its usual tan-brown in the close-up.
First when the Simpsons tried to get more money, they go to the game show, but Maggie isn’t with them, neither when they are leaving, but when the mob happily greets the Simpsons, Maggie is with the family, then disappears in the next scene, and then reappears when they go to the couch area.
It is unknown how the Simpsons got all their stuff back in the next episode.
It could be possible that they did gain 15,000 dollars (off-screen) and were able to return it to the citizens of Springfield and thus they were given their stuff back, the citizens might've apologized and gave them their stuff back, or that Bart had a false awakening after dreaming about water.
Lisa wouldn’t have gone to school right after the 26th, or 27th, though it’s possible that (A) there’s a time-skip between Christmas Eve to early January when students go back to school after Christmas break, or (B) as stated above, the episode is most likely a nightmare Bart is having.
