Al Pacino tells Albert S. Ruddy that when he learned wouldn't be cast in The Godfather (1972), he accepted the lead in The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971). The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight was based on the life of "Crazy" Joe Gallo, who also appears in this episode.
Francis Ford Coppola wants Carmine Caridi for the role of Sonny Corleone. Coincidentally, Caridi appeared in The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (1971), which is the film Al Pacino signed on for that wouldn't let him appear in The Godfather (1972). Caridi eventually appeared in The Godfather Part II (1974) and The Godfather Part III (1990).
Irv Goldstein's voice is provided by Adam Arkin who directed the episode.
The date on the Variety paper that Ruddy reads is March 25, 1971.
Playing in the background when Evans tells Ruddy he has Al Pacino in the movie, is music from the cult movie, Harold and Maude (1971)