This episode was part of NBC's "Blackout Thursday". On Friends that night, "The One with the Blackout", the six friends deal with the sudden power outage. On Madman of the People, the newspaper columnist is busted for looting. Seinfeld was the only show that didn't participate in the event, with George getting caught eating an eclair from his girlfriend's mother's garbage can.
Ursula mentions that she has her brother's car keys. This is the first time Ursula's brother (and Phoebe's brother from Friends (1994)) is mentioned in either show. Phoebe wouldn't learn she had a brother until The One with the Bullies (1996)
Jerry Adler plays the part of Mr Wicker in this episode, along with eight others. Previously, in episode 2.1, Murray's Tale (1993), he played the role of Sgt. Panino.