According to Al Jean, it took them two days to convince the Fox censors to allow the scene of Bart and Lisa singing the Shaft (1971) theme song be aired because they thought the lyrics were too obscene to appear on television. In order to prove the censors wrong and show that it could appear on television, the staff dug up footage from an old Academy Awards ceremony at which the song was performed by Isaac Hayes.
The ending with Homer sitting on the couch eating pork rinds after saying he'd live life to the fullest is not the original ending. The original ending has Homer over at the Flanders' house barbecuing steaks as he promised he'd come only because he thought he'd be dead by then. Homer's father is also there still constantly telling Homer that he loves him and of course it's getting on Homer's nerves. Homer receives a phone call from the nuclear plant that he is to report to Mr. Burns' office at 9 am sharp tomorrow morning because he's in big trouble (for telling Burns to eat his shorts). Homer is now miserable. Marge walks up to Homer and says, "Homer, you are happy to be alive, aren't you? Aren't you?" Homer doesn't answer. This ending was said to be very good and fitting. However, it was deleted because it made the episode run too long.
Fugu is in fact a poisonous fish if cut improperly. Sushi chefs must work for several years before being allowed to take tough tests in order to become certified to prepare it. The Emperor of Japan is also prohibited by law from eating fugu. Also, fugu is prohibited in the European Union, due to its toxicity.
Bart's Message: "I will not cut corners" after six repetitions he starts using ditto marks in place of words.
The ending involving Homer eating pork rinds is actually recycled animation from Season 1. Moaning Lisa (1990) has the same animation except to the point, where he chokes.