Neville Poppenbacher is based on popcorn mascot Orville Redenbacher.
There are three scenes that show Fred's cowardice opposed to his usual brave, headstrong demeanor; the first time when Farmer P. comes out from the shadows to greet them in the Mystery Machine, the second time when the puppies catch him by surprise and jump on him, and the third time when he did want the glass of warm milk that Farmer P. offered him and the girls before telling them the story of how Farmer Terwilliger became the Demon Farmer.