The entire episode is based on the classic "The War of the Worlds" radio broadcast from 1938 by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre, which caused many listeners to believe that Martians had really invaded Earth. The character of Douglas Cain in this episode is based on Welles and has a name similar to that of the protagonist of Welles' most famous film, Citizen Kane (1941). Ironically, the Orson Welles stand-in in this episode is one of the many convinced of the alien invasion.
The costume and makeup selected by the kids for their hoax are similar to that of the Talosians from Star Trek: The Cage (#1.0) (1966).