While making the episode, the Simpsons writers decided to compile a list of Springfield's fat residents.

The sequence was based on a news story that the Simpsons writers were "really obsessed with."

Typically these references are derogatory since most of the Simpsons writers studied at Harvard.

The Simpsons writers often parody this phrase and its implications.

Even though the episode portrays genetic modifications in a negative light, none of The Simpsons writers were actually against the technique.

Rodney Dangerfield guest stars in this episode and was a huge favorite of many of the Simpsons writers.

Prince disliked the Simpsons writers' script and demanded the other one be made into an episode, but the writers refused.

At the time, the Simpsons writers thought the word "usurper" was funny, hence its numerous appearances in the episode.

The Simpsons writers considered trying to make the episode plot resemble that of the film, but in the end decided against it.

They then decided on 60, an idea that could have come from Ron Hauge, one of the Simpsons writers.