James Gandolfini had a problem with the way Tony spoke to his mother. Gandolfini absolutely idolized and adored Nancy Marchand, and had nothing but the utmost respect for the veteran actress. He would film his scenes with her, then apologize profusely for the way his character had to speak. Marchand took it all in her stride and believed Gandolfini was a powerhouse of acting (which he truly was), and told him that the apologies weren't necessary and that she was amazed by the differences between Gandolfini and Tony Soprano. To her, Soprano was a mobbed up thug, but Gandolfini was a kitten.
Tony threatens Christopher by telling him "are you gonna go Henry Hill on me!?". Michael Imperioli, who plays Christopher, also played Spider in Goodfellas, based on Henry Hill's life.
The name of the U.S. Attorney character Gene Conigliaro is an inside joke by David Chase since Eugene Conigliaro was also a character on one episode of The Jersey Bounce (1978) Chase also wrote back in 1980.
The tune heard during the sit-down at Satriale's in this show's opening scene is "Inside of Me" by Little Steven & The Disciples of Soul. Little Steven is the musical pseudonym of Steven Van Zandt who plays Silvio Dante.