During the making of the episode, Helen Hunt and Hank Azaria were dating. In an interview with People Magazine in 1998, Mike Scully stated: "Hank and Helen got along so well it's hard to believe they are a real couple." In July 1999, the couple married, but divorced in December 2000, after a long separation.
The episode was going to add to the development of Moe's character in the show, though the staff did not think they were able to develop him more until later episodes.
Director Dominic Polcino and the animators of the episode were praised for their efforts by the other staff members, especially during the scene where Homer is driving down the cliff and attempts to escape Moe's car. Polcino and his animators went to great lengths to correctly time Homer's rolling and create a vivid and detailed lake, as well as animate Homer sinking to the bottom of the lake. Mike Scully commented that, "It's hard enough for us to come up with the ideas, but when Dominic and the animators can make it, it's really fantastic".
Mike Scully greatly enjoyed the scene where Homer attempts to escape Moe's car when it is going down the cliff, and has said that it is one of his favorite scenes from the show.