does not trust him and will not go in the water. When Homer takes Maggie to the beach, he gets caught in a rip current and nearly drowns. Maggie swims out and pulls him to shore. For saving him, Homer treats Maggie to a game of bowling—and she bowls a perfect game, but Homer penalizes her for going over the foul line. Production The episode was written by Al Jean and directed Mike B. Anderson as part of the eleventh season of The Simpsons (1999–2000). Penn & Teller, Ron Howard, Pat O'Brien, Nancy O'Dell guest starred in the episode as themselves. Howard had previously guest starred on The Simpsons as himself in the season ten episode "When You Dish Upon a Star" (1998). Howard was set to appear in "Children of a Lesser Clod" (2001), but dropped out for unknown reasons. The author of the 2003 book Ron Howard: From Mayberry to the Moon… and Beyond, Beverly Gray, noted that by playing himself in these episodes, "Howard showed once again that he could laugh at his own public persona. His appearances on The Simpsons also suggest how much he remains an American icon, long after the end of his acting career. It's rare indeed for a director or producer to be as instantly recognizable as most Hollywood stars." Cultural references Several references to popular culture are featured in the episode. The title is an allusion to the novelty song "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh" by comedian Allan Sherman. The song was previously used in "Marge Be Not Proud". Springfield Squares is a parody of the show Hollywood Squares. The scene in which Homer bowls the strike that wins him the perfect game takes many elements from the Robert Redford film The Natural (1984), including the camera flashes, music and slow-motion. Homer sings The Doors song "The End" when he walks through the streets considering suicide. Homer plays a Where's Waldo? game on the back of the cereal box he eats his breakfast from. While he is doing this, Waldo walks past the window behind him. After Homer bowls his perfect game, he pulls out a "Before I Die I want To-" list and checks off the item "Bowl a Perfect Game". Below that is listed "See Stevie Nicks Naked", which has been checked three times. Stevie Nicks is a singer and member of the group Fleetwood Mac. Mrs. Krabappel reads a