When Bones premiered in 2005, it transformed the landscape of modern police procedurals. With its distinctive case-of-the-week format, it balanced intriguing mysteries with the strong chemistry between its lead characters, Bones and Booth. This formula resonated with audiences, and even in the 2020s, many fans are still hoping for a reboot.
Though Bones often seemed similar to other popular shows—boasting a partner dynamic akin to The X-Files’ Mulder and Scully and the procedural intricacies of CSI—it also included surprising nods to pop culture. In a completely unexpected twist, Bones paid tribute to The Simpsons in a Season 5 episode titled “The Dwarf in the Dirt.”
Easter Eggs in “The Dwarf in the Dirt”
The episode begins with Booth at a shooting range, struggling to pass his FBI marksmanship test after undergoing brain surgery. However, he and Bones are soon called to investigate a sinkhole disaster in which they discover the body of a little person, along with a gold coin and a 1920s pistol. They learn that the deceased was a wrestler known as the Iron Leprechaun, and further investigation reveals that his many enemies could be linked to his murder.
On the surface, the episode seems like a typical Bones case. But keen-eyed fans can spot a number of references to The Simpsons, most notably during Vincent’s examination of the victim’s body. In the background, an X-ray of Homer Simpson’s head is visible, complete with a walnut-sized brain. Later, when Vincent is explaining the victim’s injuries, he’s interrupted by three men with clipboards. These men, though seemingly part of the comic relief, are actually voice actors from The Simpsons.
Another major nod comes when Officer Novarro, who directs Booth and Bones to the sinkhole, is voiced by Dan Castellaneta, the actor behind Homer Simpson. If you listen carefully, you can even hear a snippet of The Simpsons theme music whenever Novarro appears. Additionally, in a wrestling scene, the rival of the Iron Leprechaun is a character called Bumblebee Man, another homage to the iconic animated show.
Fox’s Tribute to The Simpsons’ 20th Anniversary
The abundance of The Simpsons references in this episode wasn’t just a coincidence. In 2009, Fox was celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Simpsons, and to mark the occasion, they launched a scavenger hunt across various shows on the network. Each program hid Easter eggs related to The Simpsons, and fans were encouraged to find them based on clues provided by Fox. For Bones, one such clue asked viewers to identify the actor who voiced Homer Simpson and played Officer Novarro. Those who found all the references were rewarded with exclusive perks, such as wallpapers, and were entered into contests to create couch gags or show posters for The Simpsons.
Other Fox shows also participated in the scavenger hunt. Dr. House, for instance, had Gregory House call Cuddy’s breasts “Patty and Selma,” while Lie to Me featured a prisoner wearing a yellow jumpsuit resembling the cast’s skin tones. Glee even dedicated a musical number to The Simpsons with a tribute to the episode “Bart Gets Hit by a Car.”
A Lost Chapter of The Simpsons History
While these playful references were an exciting way to celebrate The Simpsons’ anniversary, the scavenger hunt and associated content have since vanished. The scavenger hunt website, which hosted clues and allowed fans to participate, is no longer accessible, and even the special The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!, a documentary directed by Morgan Spurlock, has become difficult to find. The documentary, which aired in 2009, explored the cultural impact of The Simpsons and featured notable guests from the animation world. Despite its initial success, it has since faded into obscurity, and even DVD box sets do not contain the special.
The disappearance of these pieces of The Simpsons history raises questions. Why did Fox remove such a significant part of the show’s celebration from public access? Fans who remember the anniversary event continue to lament the loss of these special tributes, leaving them to wonder about the decision to erase such a milestone from the archives.
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