For this episode, Harry Shearer won his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance.
The episode is dedicated in memory of Marcia Wallace (the voice of Edna Krabappel) who died on October 25, 2013.
[2] In addition, the chalkboard gag in the opening sequence was changed to read a single "We'll really miss you Mrs. K" as Bart looks on solemnly.
[3] Springfield resident Chip Davis (a man who never appeared on the show yet apparently greatly impacted everyone in some way) dies, prompting some of the people he knew to reflect on their own lives and choices.
Marge worries that her listening to Kiss albums while pregnant with Bart made him what he is today as she watches him acting out during Chip Davis' funeral with Milhouse, including removing the church's pew kneelers, hurting everyone's knees when everyone kneels to pray, stealing the collection plates and using them as swords, and stealing Reverend Lovejoy's gown, mocking him.
Burns regrets breaking up with a French woman Lila who became a Buddhist nun after rejecting his engagement proposal due to his selfishness.
Following the death of recurring guest star Marcia Wallace, the episode acknowledged her passing during the chalkboard gag.
[5][6][7] Television news program host Rachel Maddow guest starred as a fictionalized version herself who used to work with Kent Brockman.
"[9] Tony Sokol of Den of Geek gave the episode four out of five stars, saying, "The Simpsons mean to subvert all that is accepted as entertainment.
They play with the media frenzy by teasing with the death of a beloved character and make someone up who fits the bill for the episode.