Introduces Bart's prank calls to Moe's Tavern. The first one used is: I. P. Freely.
Smithers first appears in the episode "Homer's Odyssey" where he is shown being apparently African-American. However, in his second appearance, There's No Disgrace Like Home (1990), he appears as having a yellow complexion, which remains throughout the rest of the series. In "There's No Disgrace Like Home," Lou the policeman is depicted not as African-American (as he later appears), but as Simpson-Caucasian (yellow).
Mr. Burns says his catchphrase "Excellent" for the first time in this episode.
Although elementary and very cartoon-like, Smilin' Joe Fission's explanation of nuclear power is accurate.
The elderly couple that makes fun of Homer when he walks past them with the boulder were suppose to be regular recurring characters who would offer off-kilter comments to what they see. But the idea was quickly dropped.