The Principal and the Pauper/References

Episode	References	Gags	Appearances	Gallery	Quotes	Credits

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The Principal and the Pauper

Lisa's Sax ►

Trivia

• This episode is referenced by Lisa in the episode "I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot".
• This is the last episode written by Ken Keeler, and it was unknown why he hasn't returned writing to the show after the hatred against said episode.
• There has been only one instance of Skinner's real name spoken of after this episode. In the aforementioned episode "I, Doh-Bot", Lisa renames her 5th cat Snowball II to save money on stuff and Skinner walks by and said "Isn't that a cheat?" Lisa then calls him by Armin and Skinner walks off.
• "Armin Tamzarian" is an Armenian name, which is also the name of the Real Estate agent of the writer of the show, who later went on to become a lawyer for Fox.
• In the DVD commentaries for this episode, writer Ken Keeler among others defended this episode against the strong negative reaction from fans and critics due to its heavy continuity snarl over Principal Skinner's life. Matt Groening and Harry Shearer have gone on record to say that this was their least favorite episode.
• Agnes' line, "I have no son", was last mentioned by Rabbi Krustofsky in "Like Father, Like Clown". It was also said by Doris Freedman to the Squeaky Voiced Teen in the episode "Team Homer" and by Abe to Homer in "Old Money."
• Besides respecting the history of the Skinner family, the concept is hated by the majority of the audience. The changing of fan favorite Principal Skinner to Sgt Skinner makes this one of the most unpopular Simpsons episodes, thus making Sgt Skinner one of the most unpopular Simpsons characters, making it one of the few Simpsons episodes to be explicitly dismissed from canon.

Cultural references

• The title of the episode is a reference to the title of the book The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain.
• Although it is widely believed that the episode is based on the movie The Return of Martin Guerre, it is actually based on the real life Tichborne Heir case of the mid-1800s.
• The bridge scene with flashing explosions is like the picture Apocalypse Now.
• The song sung by the Springfield Elementary Chorus in tribute to Skinner is a knock off of the theme song of the popular sitcom Flipper.

Goofs

• Skinner/Tamzarian claims not to know Ned Flanders, despite Ned having briefly replaced Skinner as Principal on "Sweet Seymour Skinner's Baadasssss Song".
• In this episode, Judge Snyder appeared with yellow skin rather than his normal African-American skin.