Homer says, "I would like to go back to Brazil but I hear the monkey problem has gotten even worse." This is a reference to complaints received from Brazilian tourist officials after the episode "Blame it on Lisa" (2002) was aired, citing that it made Brazil look crime-ridden and monkey-infested.
Tony Blair is the first head of state or government to guest voice on the show, as well as the first elected official or person holding a government office of any kind. Almost every former US President has been asked to guest voice on the show but either declined or never responded.
During Bart and Lisa's sugar rush the song 'Lust for Life' by Iggy Pop is playing and Maggie is seen crawling along the ceiling before rotating her head 180 degrees. This is a nod to the British movie Trainspotting (1996).
While on their candy jag, Bart and Lisa are shown entering Carnaby Street and emerge wearing Mod fashion. In the 1960s, the shops on Carnaby Street were at the center of the Mod fashion trend.
Sir Ian McKellen appears, touting tickets for his performance as Macbeth. In fact McKellen played Macbeth in a classic Royal Shakespeare Company production in 1976, alongside Judi Dench as Lady Macbeth. Dame Judi also appears in this episode, though only as a character rather than in person.