Venus is offered $35,000 at WREQ, the equivalent to over $100,000 in 2018.
Venus says he "turned thirty last week". Assuming the show takes place in present day, he would have been born in 1950. In reality, Tim Reid, who portrays Venus, was born in 1944.
WREQ's "Max" automation system is based on broadcast automation systems that grew in popularity in the 1970's. The Schafer 900 series, one of the most popular at the time, was named "Fred" in an effort to humanize the system. "Otto" was another common name (short for automation).
The song playing on WREQ's "Max" system is "The Same Thing (Makes You Laugh)" by Sly and the Family Stone.
The title refers to the painting "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli which shows Venus in a clam shell rising from the sea at the time of her birth.