If KABF10 was our chance to see "Bart Simpson in Lisa the Vegetarian," KABF13 was our chance to see "Lisa Simpson in Bart Gets Famous." In this case, the story felt even closer to the first time we saw it, and it used the approaching-cliche flashback/narration style that I must assume was part of "All About Eve" - but I enjoyed it anyhow. Krusty's show (past and present) has been shown a lot on this show (show show show), but again, fun enough. It's surprising we never heard about these Krusketeers before, or is it just convenient? Well, anyway, overall fine, though with an odd glimpse at Lisa's conniving side. Bart and Homer's numismatic subplot was serviceable I guess... perhaps it would have been too distracting or confusing to even hint at Bart's experience in the biz and how it connects to his being upset about not getting the job. A fairly high note to end the season with... on to 20 in the fall!
DYN: ...Lisa's seen briefly with no necklace? (It's odd to look at; we've seen Marge that way in 1F09/5F08/5F19 [I believe], and current-age Lisa in FABF22, though it was just replaced with a scarf then.) ...a 3D shot as Krusty pulls up to the studio at the end of act 2? ...Mel is married? (Was he ever mentioned to be in a relationship aside from Barbara in 5F06?) ...among others, Lurleen Lumpkin (recently revived in KABF09) and Scott Christian in the award show crowd?
Previous episode references (and other related themes) EABF11: Light pollution in Springfield mentioned 9F19, BABF13, Movie: Arthur Crandall shows up Movie, JABF20: Spider-Pig puts in an appearance 2F12, 2F20: Krusty's been known to steal jokes here 4F14: One sibling auditions to be on Krusty's show, the other winds up getting it 1F11: Fairly similar plot, involving Bart getting famous on Krusty's show, mostly by circumstance 3G03: Andy Griffith Show theme heard JABF13: Nappien 2F20: Mel's full name used 5F15: Lisa breaks into show business (Bart too, sort of) BABF03: Marge has apparently been on Krusty's show (as Sideshow Marge) 2F12: Homer has been Krusty before... the only one left to be officially associated with the Krusty brand is Maggie
Meta-reference corner Mel says the episode's title during his narration. Krusty, during his 4000th episode, wonders how he got past 400 (which OFF did last year at this time). Right before the first act ends and goes to commercial, Mel mentions how we'll notice show business is a business.
This stuff I always talk about
This is episode #420 (in both broadcast and production order); I can't help but think of an upcoming Family Guy episode actually entitled "Episode 420" (6ACX16), though of course I figure that's for a different reason (if you follow me). I can't figure why it's called that exactly, though if FG didn't have an absurdly short season (presumably because of the strike), that episode could have aired about the same time (or same night) as KABF13, and maybe the producers thought of that... maybe not.
And yes, like I said before, this is the shortest (broadcast) season yet, not counting the first, and the ironing is delicious, because once again Fox was promoting the 19th season as "epic" (like with the 21-episode 16th season) and then the strike cut it short.
Finally, the KABF production season is so far on track to be the first broadcast entirely in production order. I doubt it will make it, since holdovers are usually in some wacky order, but if the TOH continues to be low-numbered - perhaps not as low as JABF16 - it might work. We'll see!
Not-a-reference ...but it reminds me of something. The way Homer obtains the Kissing Lincolns penny from Mr. Burns reminds me a bit of the way the bum in the movie UHF finds himself with a rare and valuable penny himself... just a tad. If you've seen the movie, you know what I mean.