The episode contains references to The Wizard of Oz, Planet of the Apes, George Burns, Charles Lindbergh, The Rolling Stones and Adolf Hitler.

After the Ramones perform a disdainful rendition of "Happy Birthday To You", and employee Homer Simpson performs a loutish, derisive stand-up routine, Burns becomes infuriated, ordering Smithers to have the Ramones killed (mistakenly calling them the Rolling Stones) and has his security guards break up the party.

Bart buys a bag of ice to heal a head injury Homer received at the party.

After several failed attempts to steal the bear, Burns subjects Homer to harsh work at the nuclear power plant.

"Rosebud" was written by John Swartzwelder and was the first episode to be executive produced and run by David Mirkin.

[4] Guest stars the Ramones were "gigantic, obsessive Simpsons fans" and their characters were designed by Wes Archer.

The teddy bear Bobo is a substitute for Rosebud in this episode; the young Burns discards it in the snow when offered a new life of riches and power.

[7] Smithers fantasising about Mr. Burns singing "Happy Birthday" to him is a reference to Marilyn Monroe, who famously sang the song to John F. Kennedy shortly before their deaths.

Smithers reminds Burns of his possessions: "King Arthur's Excalibur, the only existing nude photo of Mark Twain, that rare first draft of the Constitution with the word 'suckers' in it..." Burns and Smithers' attempt to steal Bobo from the Simpsons mirrors Mission: Impossible, and their sitcom is similar to The Honeymooners.

[7] The last scene where Mr. Burns's robotic body runs off with Bobo is a reference to the film Planet of the Apes.

[8] In 2003, Entertainment Weekly's placed "Rosebud" second on their top 25 The Simpsons episode list, writing that "It begins with 'Citizen Kane,' ends somewhere near the 'Planet of the Apes,' and in between, manages to find time to include Hitler, the Ramones, and 64 slices of American cheese.

At once a satire and a tribute, the episode manages to both humanize Mr. Burns and delve deep into Homer's love for his oft-forgotten second daughter, Maggie.

"[12] David Silverman and Matt Groening describe the sequence where Homer eats 64 slices of American cheese as "one of the most hilarious segments ever done".

A horrible man gets what he wants and instead of $1 million and a big chunk of Hawaii, the Simpsons end up with nothing but the satisfaction of doing the right thing... 'Rosebud' is as much an homage to Citizen Kane as a spoof.