Okay, there are lots of Harvard references in the Simpsons, as everyone knows, because many of the show's writers are Harvard alums. However, what a lot of people don't know are the legends told at Harvard about the origins of certain characters. Here's what Harvard legend says:
Mr. Burns -- Based on
government professor
Michael J. Sandel, who teaches a huge (700+) lecture class called
Justice. The resemblance is uncanny. Sandel looks like a spry 50ish Burns, and even tents his hands (though without saying "Eeehxcellent!"). Campus legend also says
economics teacher
Marty Feldstein might be the model for Burns, but Sandel is the more likely man, for reasons including...
Smithers -- Based on
Joel Johnson, the head teaching assistant for Sandel's Justice class for years. Always wears suits, glasses, has a haircut just like Smithers, and it is often suspected that he worships Sandel-- though perhaps not in the same way Smithers worships Mr. Burns.
Apu -- Based on Louie of
Louie's Superette, a campus
convenience store. Both are
asian, have extremely distinctive
accents, and have a well known
catchphrase: Apu's "
Thank you, come again!" and Louie's "Okay, see you!"