Chalkboard: I will not cut corners

Couch Gag: The couch tips backwards, and Maggie pops out from behind

This episode marks the first appearance of Akira.

Homer: Ahem. This is a videotape for my daughter Maggie. Hi, Maggie! I'm speaking to you from beyond the grave. Woooooooo! Hee hee hee, hope that didn't scare you. Well, Maggie, you're grown-up now, and unless you taped over this, you're probably wondering what kind of man your father was. He was a simple man, a kind man, a gentle man who loved his children and- (Phone rings) D'oh! Hello! Yeah, he's here, who is this? (Scratches butt) Bart's friend Milhouse? Bart! Get your butt down here!

Homer: I just want you to know that I love you, Dad.
Grampa: You do?
Homer: Uh-huh.
Grampa: Oh, son, I love you too. Hey, how about a hug?
(Homer and Abe hug)
Homer: Dad!
Grampa: Sonny boy!
Homer: Papa!
Grampa: Junior!
Homer: My old man.
(Homer crosses "Make peace with Dad" on his list.)

Dr. Hibbert: Now, a little death anxiety is normal. You can expect to go through five stages. The first is denial.
Homer: No way! Because I'm not dying!
Dr. Hibbert: The second is anger.
Homer: Why you little!
Dr. Hibbert: After that comes fear.
Homer: What's after fear? What's after fear?
Dr. Hibbert: Bargaining.
Homer: Doc, you gotta get me out of this! I'll make it worth your while!
Dr. Hibbert: Finally, acceptance.
Homer: Well, we all gotta go sometime.
Dr. Hibbert: Mr. Simpson, your progress astounds me.

(While Marge appears to be tossing a salad Homer watches the microwave.)
Homer: Is it done yet? Is it done yet?
Marge: Your meatloaf will be ready in eight seconds, Homer.
Homer: D'oh! Isn't there anything faster than a microwave?
(Homer watches dinner cook)
Homer: Four… three… two… one… Bing! We have meatloaf!

Homer: If I said `no' the first time, what makes you think I'm going to say `yes' the second time?
Lisa: Nothing, but you may say `yes' the ninety-ninth time.
Homer: Oh? Try me.
Lisa: Please, Dad.
Homer: No.
Lisa: Please, Dad.
Homer: No.
Lisa: Please, Dad.
Homer: No.
Lisa: Please, Dad.
Homer: No.
Lisa: Please, Dad.
Homer: No.
Lisa: Please, Dad.
Homer: Oh, okay, okay.

When Homer is given his plate of sushi, there are four pieces on his plate. Moments later, before he begins to eat, he has six pieces on his plate.

Just after Homer says, "This fish is delish!" One of the pieces of sushi keeps reappearing even though Homer has already eaten it several times seemingly.

In this episode, Homer makes a tape for Maggie since he believes that he is going to die. However the speech is horribly out of sync with Homer's mouth movements.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue fish

The title is a play on the famous Dr. Suess book.

The Graduate

When Homer runs from the broken down car, it is similar to Benjamin Braddock's (Dustin Hoffman) run to the church at the last minute. Homer then bangs on a glass window shouting Marge's name exactly as Benjamin Braddock's banging on the window yelling Elaine Robinson's name in the 1967 film, The Graduate.

D.O.A.

The main idea of the episode is taken from the film D.O.A., where a man learns he has been poisoned and will soon die.