In one scene, a windmill can be seen in the background. This is a reference to Terry Gilliam's unfilmed Don Quixote, a story in which the hero mistakes windmills for giants. Due to setbacks and going over budget, the movie took decades to complete. The documentary Lost in La Mancha (2002) details the film's initial failures.
Leonard says he's "thinking about breaking into the TV game, since it's apparently sticking around." Richard Erdman, the actor who plays Leonard, has been acting in television and movies since 1944 (67 years when this episode aired)
Wilhelm Scream: The scream can be heard from Dean Pelton's computer when he shows his commercial to Luis Guzmán.
The Gazette Journal Mirror headlines: GREENDALE COMMERCIAL HEADED FOR DEAN-SASTER Sources say Pelton's big budget blunder has no script, no schedule, no end in sight. / DEAN-SASTER?: Classes Cancelled In-dean-finitely "I just want to see my hair again." Jeff Winger, Student / PELTON'S METHODS UNSOUND? Reports of the Dean's on-set antics and rumored energy drink addiction have many doubting he can finish the thirty-second ad. / DEAN FIRES BACK: "STOP QUOTING ME" CRAIG PELTON: Who Is He? This man holds your tuition dollars.
IMDb is mentioned in this episode.