A Star Is Burns play in the opening moments of the episode is a parody of "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer. The opening of Bart's film "The Eternal Struggle" is a reference to The Amazing Criswell's narration in "Plan 9 from Outer Space". Barney's film contains references to "Koyaanisqatsi", and the music of the film, which was composed by Philip Glass. Barney's film also features musical selections from the aria "Un bel di vedremo" from Act II, pt. 1 of Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly". In its original broadcast, "A Star Is Burns" finished 57th in the ratings for the week of February
Julianna Di Giacomo and Hasmik Papian as Norma. In 2008 she made her debut with Opera Grand Rapids as Countess Almaviva in "The Marriage of Figaro". In 2009 she made her first appearance at La Scala as Lucrezia Contarini in "I due Foscari" under the baton of Stefano Ranzani. In 2010 Di Giacomo returned to the Met as Lina in "Stiffelio" and Leonora in "Il trovatore" in 2010. In December 2010 she performed the world premiere of Thomas Pasatieri's "Bel Canto Songs" for the George London Foundation Recital Series at the Morgan Library. In 2011 he returned to the Caramoor Festival to perform