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Most obscure Boston reference on the Simpsons Boston episode?

The writers know their Boston. One scene featured a Cumbie's, Lechmere and an old 'BCN billboard. Even one local pol got a shoutout, indirectly, when Marge marveled over one of City Councilor Matt O'Malley's free sunscreen dispensers: "So progressive!"

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Comments

I probably missed the most obscure references (well Adam just confirmed that I did).

Was too busy laughing my ass off to catch it all.

Completely accurate too. Right down to cheating football team.

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We won 12 division titles in 10 years fair and square!

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

P.S. In case anyone wants to accuse me of anything, that's a line from the show.

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Yes, there actually is a boston.com article worth reading:

The "Baby Whale" sunfish (Khed!)

"Menino Panini" cart.

so many more....lol

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I don't have high [any?] expectations for Boston.com, but really -- misspelling "NECCO" and getting the full company name wrong (referenced as "New England Candy Company" instead of "New England Confectionery Company" in point 13) -- shame.

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-----

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I think you've lost your sense of humor. Boston.com didn't "misspell" the candy company's name....that is what the company was named on the Simpson's show. Like many other Boston names, they changed it ever so slightly, but the locals got the reference.

"Homer gets a job as a safety inspector at NEKCO, the New England Candy Company."

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Yes, but Boston.com could've gotten the name of the company correct in their write-up.

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They reported on the episode, so they spelled it the same way as aired in the episode.

Now, don't have an episode.

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The show used NECKO because NECCO is trademarked.

Just like Legal Seafood (not Lawful Seafood) and Dunkin Donuts (Duncan's Doughnuts).

Boston.com went with the parody names used in the show.

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Dukakis' eyebrows in the Faneuil Hall scene...

A bowling alley, "The Lanes of Eddie Coyle" which works in a direct reference to the book (Higgins) and movie (Mitchum) while working in a side ref to the Affleck's The Town, when the bank manager is forced to walk blindfolded towards the ocean.

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I missed Fred the Baker.

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Standing behind Fred to the right, is David McCullough. Elizabeth Warren, the whole Cheers cast, Elizabeth Warren, the Bosstones, Mike Dukakis in a tank costume, Barney Frank and Bobby Orr also make cameos in the parade crowd.

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And also Elizabeth Warren!

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I see what I did there! One of those Liz Warrens was supposed to be Conan O'Brien! I guess I was too quick to hit post.

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To David McCullough's right: the waistcoat-clad ghost of Paul Revere, holding a silver teapot in his left hand, with his right hand up to his chin, just as in the Copley painting.

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In one of the very fleeting backgrounds at the Americans' victory parade, the "Time to make the donuts" guy was in the crowd.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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Adam just beat me to it. He gets extra points for knowing the actual character name.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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Thrown at them in traffic as they arrive in town.

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Duncan's Donuts.. lol

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I see marvelous Marvin Hagler and ric ocasek in the background of that shot.

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Thx for pointing that out.!

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Hawk from Spenser for Hire!

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In boxing trunks. Hawk is in another group.

Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com

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Behind Officer Mike and the ducklings are the kids from ZOOM. THAT'S one that wasn't in the Boston.com article.

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...the church with Robert Parish as pastor made me laugh....as did about 1,000 other things from the show.

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Work on Drydock Ave and would have to say the South Boston dock workers with the veggie drinks.

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Ted made it in, along with Johnnie (Mark Wahlberg).

The ducklings, RIc Ocasek, an Aimee Mann reference, Bit Warren, Lechmere, Duncan's Donuts, Fribbles (but spelled Fribels, I think), Conan O'Brien, having locals as guest voices (including Rachel Dratch).

Negative was ... ugh, my constant beef that "Boston" means "Greater Boston" to everyone who doesn't live here. There wouldn't be sunscreen dispensers on Memorial Drive, MIT isn't in Boston, and Brandeis University is in (gasp) Waltham and the Peabody Essex is in .. I dunno, New Hampshire?

Some felt the "hidden racism" line was out of line but, eh.

EDIT: I posted 7 stills from the episode to my Twitter feed (not an attempt to promote myself) https://twitter.com/JohnAKeith

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PEM is in Salem, MA

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was the reference there I think. Building looks the same.

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As someone who grew up and lives in the Merrimack Valley I have long understood anything north of 128 was NH. I guess now it is anything north of the Charles. It's ok though because it's been a while since I have met anyone who lives in Boston that is from Boston. :)

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A lot of the writers for The Simpsons went to Harvard, and, for all we know, knew the twins during their time there.

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Thank you for posting the stills John! I missed so many of the details when watching it live. Did you notice the character standing between Conan and the cast of Cheers? I was puzzled by him but realized it's Johnny Tremain, from one of my favorite books from elementary school.

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But I lost it at "It's your cousin... Marvin!"

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Boston proper is irrelevant. Harvard Square is as "Boston" as anything to a lot of people. If you live in Davis Square, you basically live in Boston.

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Speaking as a Brandeis alumna, we're just glad to be included.

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The boston.com article showed a frame with a Dana Hersey - Movie Loft poster

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Glad I wasn't the only one to catch the "It's a Baby Whale, Kid!" sunfish in there!! I also thought it was amazingly awesome how spot-on Faneuil Hall Marketplace was, right down to the carts selling cheesy tourist stuff in that little plaza across the street from Long Wharf. Can't say I've ever seen bobbleheads there, but I digress. The Cheers-esque riff anytime they did a wide shot of the area was a nice little touch as well.

edit: Just remembered, Homer was drinking a beer called "Brockton's Best" that featured Rocky Marciano on the label.

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Storefront in the background near Faneuil Hall.

Also, a cop with a bunch of ducklings in the parade.

And Howard Stern--who famously got his radio start at WBUR back when it was a student-run radio station.

The Jordan's commercial that was a pastiche on the show's opening credits and couch gag was a nice touch. (If it's old hat for the show, please be kind--I haven't watched the show in many, many years.)

Also, one scene with the theme music to St. Elsewhere.

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I'm wondering if it's the same long-haired guy I thought was Ric Ocasek.

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Pretty sure the sign said Frappes rather than Smoothies. And I didn't see howard stern.

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Dana Hersey and The Movie Loft poster?

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And have Hulu: the episode is available to watch today.

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$1.99 to buy. Enjoying it now! Hilarious!

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but my favorite part was the street lined with Newbury Comcs Toothface stickers.

I recorded the show on my computer, so I can go through and see what I missed in the backgrounds (and to make screen shots).

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Now THAT's obscure!

What a great episode! Have they done that for other cities? Is it weird that I'm proud? :-)

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Was great. Also thought the punks littering their Fribble cups was spot on.
Good stuff all around.

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other than wishing they had swapped out the modern lovers for aerosmith, this was great.

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...did anyone pronounce Bart's named BAHT at all? If not...good for the writers. Would've been too easy!

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