Roger's character in this show is based on Fletcher, played by J.K. Simmons, in the movie "Whiplash.'
Emmett Kelly was an American circus performer who is credited with creating the familiar image of "Weary Willy" the original "hobo clown" character.
Hayley's altar ego is called Dr. Monte Cristo, after the famous novel of revenge and assumed identities The Count of Monte Cristo (1908) by Alexandre Dumas.
The poster of a hand in Hayley's room has only 4 fingers just like all the characters in the series.
The clown college is named after Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837), widely considered to be history's first clown.