 The episode was directed by Mark Kirkland and written by John Swartzwelder . The writing staff had thought about an episode in which Mr. Burns would lose his money and would have to interact with the outside world . In DVD commentary the writers explained that while Mr. Burns tried to change he " couldn 't help being himself " . Professional wrestler Bret Hart made a cameo as himself , animated in his pink wrestling outfit . " The Old Man and the Lisa " contains cultural references to the television series That Girl and the film Invasion of the Body Snatchers . It was positively received by critics and won the Environmental Media Award for " TV Episodic Comedy " . 
