... Mona knew enough about Homer to know he'd bring Bart? ... apparently Chief Wiggum has forgotten what Mona did for his asthma in the 60's? ... Lenny's last name is finally revealed to be Leonard? ... Springfield is within driving distance of Anaheim CA in this episode?
"A Beautiful Mind" (movie) - Homer searching for a goof in the newspaper is a parody of this movie
Grandma Simpson's Previous Appearances
[7F16] she tells Abe not to tell Homer about Herb in a flashback [2F07] appears in a flashback telling Abe that Homer could become president [3F06] she's the main focus of this episode [AABF02] she appears in a flashback of Woodstock and her friends are the focus of this episode [CABF17] she gives birth to Paul/Homer and asks for whisky [EABF18] main focus of this episode
References to Frank Grimes' Death
[4F19] Frank Grimes dies [5F18] Homer finds the program for his funeral [BABF10] his untended grave is seen [EABF10] face crossed out on SNPP employee board [EABF18] Homer kicks over his grave
Marge in Labor
[8F10] Bart is born [9F08] Lisa is born [2F10] Maggie is born [BABF10] Homer tapes over footage of Maggie's birth [EABF18] Marge fakes birthing Bart for Mona
[3F06], [3F12] a death is faked [BABF05] a member of OFF teaches Homer how to ride a motorcycle (cf. Grandma teaches Homer how to ride a bike) [DABF18] a member of OFF imitates Marge giving birth to Bart [EABF01] Disney's California Adventure is mentioned [EABF12] all of the headlines of the Springfield Shopper are jokes
Tonight's episode, while not living up to the expectations set by its predecessor, "Mother Simpson", was still a decent showing. There was definitely a bit of Jerkass Homer showing through, but not enough to ruin the episode. The "Beautiful Mind" parody was funny, as were most of the bonding scenes. The ending definately lowers the overall quality more than anything. All that needed to be said was "Homer, your mother loves you". It wasn't a bad episode by any means though, so "My Mother the Carjacker" gets an 8.5/10. (B+)
FOX ran these promos for this episode:
Announcer: On the Simpsons Season premiere... ("The Simpsons Season Premiere" is shown in front of a brick wall with a searchlight moving across it.) Announcer: ...meet the woman that gave birth to Homer! (Mona Simpson is shown with a searchlight scanning across her. Homer is then shown hugging a gray haired person with a brown jacket on.) Homer: Mom, you're back! (Homer's mother walks up, wearing the same jacket.) Mona: Homer, you're hugging a bum! Homer: I know, I'm working my way up to you. Bum: Give me back my wine! (Homer removes a bottle of wine from his jacket.) Announcer: But when she's thrown in jail, it's Homer and Bart to the rescue. (Eddie the cop is shown hanging up a wanted sign with Mother Simpson's mugshot on it on the window of a restaurant, which she is sitting in. She is then shown being arrested by a park ranger and an FBI officer with Mr. Burns in the background. Homer is shown pleading in court on the stand and Bart is shown standing in the audience. Homer is then shown trying to wake Bart, who appears to be in bed.) Homer: Wanna go on an adventure with your old man? Bart: No. (The camera reveals Bart to be in the car laying down on the seat.) Homer: You have no choice. Announcer: Get ready for the escape of the century! (Homer is shown sneaking onto a prison bus.) Homer: I'm gonna hide you where there's nobody around for miles: Disney's California Adventure! Announcer: Glenn Close guest stars! (Homer looks in the bus's rear-view mirror and sees the cops chasing them. Homer & Mona: D'oh! Announcer: On the Simpson's season premiere! Part of a full hour at 8, FOX Sunday! (Homer, Bart and Mona are seen in the family car, crashing into the police station.)
Announcer: It's the mother of all season premieres! ("MOTHER" is shown on screen in large silver letters) Announcer: ...When Grandma Simpson returns! (Homer is shown lying on the ground screaming as his mother steps out of the darkness. It cuts to Mona Simpson at Moe's) Moe: You left a hole in Homer's heart that he's been trying to fill with alcohol for 20 years! (Homer is shown sitting at a table in a store with his lips quivering. It then cuts back to Moe) Moe: God bless you! Announcer: Will Homer ever bond with his mom? (Scenes of Grandma and Homer in a restaurant, Grandma bathing Homer and Grandma kissing Homer good night are shown. It the cuts to a scene with Grandma running alongside Homer on his bike) Homer: Look! I'm riding by myself! (He rolls onto the interstate and screams. Grandma Simpson is shown frowning in a courtroom) Announcer: Glenn Close guest stars! The Simpsons Season Premiere: part of a full hour at 8/7c FOX Sunday! (Homer is shown trying on a wig that his mother knits for him. Then a scene of Homer in bed sleeping with his mother by his side in a recliner is shown)
Disney's California Adventure is the latest addition to Anaheim California's Disneyland Resort. The theme of the park is the wonder that is know as "The Golden State". It features rides such as California Screamin', a rather generic roller coaster, and Soarin' Over California, a ride in which you view movies of locations in California and...smell pine trees. There's not much that you can do there that you can't do at any of the many other theme parks in California and most people opt to visit Disneyland or one of the other amusement parks in the state, hence Homer's comment about it being virtually empty.