Mr. Burns brainwashing Santa's Little Helper references a part of the movie "A Clockwork Orange". Nathan Ditum from "Total Film" thought that it is one of "The Simpsons" best references to movies. Colin Jacobson from DVD Movie Guide said it is "possibly the funniest "Clockwork Orange" parody I've ever seen". Nate Meyers from Digitally Obsessed thought that the reference is "brilliant".