Michael Cera, who is Canadian, had problems with his work visa and was almost unable to complete work on the pilot episode. Cera had to go to Tijuana, Mexico in order to obtain another visa. Michael Angarano was on standby to replace Cera in case he was deported.
Ron Howard's role as the narrator was accidental. He was merely filling in on the Pilot (2003), but his voice just "worked."
The episode won 3 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series, Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.