Writer Ian Maxtone-Graham was interested in making an episode where the Simpson family travels to New York to retrieve their lost car . Executive producers Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein suggested that the car be found in Austin J. Tobin Plaza at the World Trade Center , as they wanted a location that would be widely known . Great lengths were taken to make a detailed replica of the borough of Manhattan . The episode received generally positive reviews , and has since been on accolade lists of '' The Simpsons '' episodes . The " You 're Checkin ' In " musical sequence won two awards . Because of the World Trade Center 's main role , the episode was taken off syndication in many areas following the September 11 attacks , but had come back into syndication by 2006
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson