Cultural References
In the beginning of the episode Homer is watching a program called Do Shut Up, described as "a delicious British sitcom about a hard-drinking yet loving family of soccer hooligans". The program seems similar in style to early nineties BBC show Bottom. British English expressions terms used in the sitcom include "noggin" and "soddin". The song playing when the program starts is "No Feelings" by the Sex Pistols. When Homer defaults on his financial pledge of support to PBS, references seen to characters from other programs that pursue him through the town include Yo-Yo Ma, Big Bird, the Teletubbies, and Garrison Keillor. In addition, there is a scene where Homer is licking toads, and he sees the toad reciting the lyrics to "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd in Marge's voice. The theme that Homer's attempts at giving the islanders what he considers "civilization" leads only to the demise of their peaceful innocence parallels the theories of 18th century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Read more about this topic: Missionary: Impossible
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“The primary function of myth is to validate an existing social order. Myth enshrines conservative social values, raising tradition on a pedestal. It expresses and confirms, rather than explains or questions, the sources of cultural attitudes and values.... Because myth anchors the present in the past it is a sociological charter for a future society which is an exact replica of the present one.”
—Ann Oakley (b. 1944)