This episode mentions that Homer's Vegas wife Amber has died.
The title comes from the mystery solving, rock and roll playing trio Josie and the Pussycats.
This is the first episode to confirm that Marge's father, Clancy Bouvier, is deceased. This had been strongly implied, though never outright stated, given that Marge's mother Jacqueline is portrayed as being unmarried in Lady Bouvier's Lover (1994).
Couch gag: Homer is King Kong, and he takes Marge off the couch as he's climbing the Empire State Building.
When Lisa begins waking down the street with the rescued dogs and bird, it is reminiscent of the cover art of Red Hot Chili Peppers' album The Getaway, and they guest starred on the last episode of season 4, Krusty Gets Cancelled.