The basket and bridge scene parallels the 1958 movie classic The Long, Hot Summer (1958) starring Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward.
Lorelai says to Rory that Jess seems cool because he has a problem with authority and he's seen a lot of Sylvester Stallone movies. 4 years later Milo Ventimiglia does appear in a movie with Stallone: Rocky Balboa (2006), as his son.
The title of this episode is more than likely a reference to the Stevie Ray Vaughan song "Mary Had a Little Lamb"; which includes the line: Tisket, tasket, A green and yellow basket.
Jess mentions comedian Lenny Bruce when talking to Dean. Lenny Bruce would later be portrayed in the creators' future show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Lorelai tells Sookie about a man Miss Patty had found for her - one who had seen "Ghostbusters" 124 times. As it happens, Melissa McCarthy starred in the remake of "Ghostbusters".