The original cold open was a spoof of the opening of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977). Aaron McGruder is a major fan of the franchise and contacted George Lucas to ask his permission. Lucas gave his permission but the opening was not used because McGruder was dissatisfied with the animation.
According to McGruder, the scene in which Ruckus is jealous of Granddad was inspired by the scene between Brian and Ben in Life of Brian (1979).
Before Riley shoots Ed out the window, he said, "Say hello to my little friend." Which is a reference to the line said by Tony Montana in Scarface (1983).