The Professor's error with the bomb timer is a reference to a botched terrorist attack on the Thomas Jefferson Cultural Center in Makati during early 1991. Like the Professor, the terrorists attached their timer upside down and consequently ended up setting it for two seconds instead of five minutes, resulting in the death of one would-be bomber and the second being severely injured.
With the presence of Bart Simpson merchandise, this episode establishes that 'The Simpsons' exists as fiction in the 'Futurama' universe. This is confirmed several years later when Matt Groening appears as himself (as a head in a jar, of course), and a reference is made to 'The Simpsons Movie.'
When Professor Farnsworth offers to locate Uranus ("Urectum") on the Smeloscope for Fry to smell, Fry hastily declines, which in real life, would also be a wise move. According to a study published in the journal Nature Astronomy, scientists have discovered the presence of the chemical signature of hydrogen sulfide in the planet's clouds. This is the same compound that gives rotten eggs their distinctive stench. It is therefore safe to assume that, although the planet's odor may not resemble exactly what Fry is implying, it would still be fairly unpleasant.
Ron Popeil (likeness and voice) appears and reveals that he invented the technology to keep disembodied human heads alive.
First appearance of Professor Wernstrom.