The robot cowboy chasing the robot dancer around in a circle on the bar's balcony is a reference to a scene in the original Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, where the pirates chased women in a similar fashion.
Although the episode was written by John Swartzwelder, the idea for the episode was pitched by former staff writer George Meyer. Nevertheless, the episode still contains several "classic Swartzwelder moments" according to executive producer Ian Maxtone-Graham, including Homer escaping on a handcart and the line "this is everybody's fault but mine".
The design and voice of the tuxedo-wearing man in the "Ship of lost souls" were based on Austrian-American actor Peter Lorre.
Homer mentions not wanting to miss Inside the Actors Studio (1994). The "Simpsons" cast themselves appeared on the show as guests in 2003; after brief recaps of their histories in show business and how they came together, they entertained host James Lipton and the audience by answering questions in character (Julie Kavner insisted on having stills of Marge on screen while doing Marge's voice, as she didn't want the television audience to view her facial expressions while she was in character).
Couch: The Simpsons are frogs, with Maggie as a tadpole.