The "plastic" spoon stuck to Nicolas Cage's lapel was actually a metal spoon that had been painted to appear plastic and which was held in place with a magnet.
Nicolas Cage recorded all of the inner monologue at a local recording studio before shooting began. He was fed the audio on-set.
Despite Paramount Pictures suggesting that the production be shot in Canada, to substitute for Chicago, Gore Verbinski and Nicolas Cage both insisted that this movie be shot in Chicago for authenticity.
Nicolas Cage revealed that Dave Spritz is a reflection of his real-life character, his relationship with his father, changing his last name, his divorce and his public precipitation (the fast food thrown at him is the negative reviews and criticism).
Tom Skilling: WGN and Chicago Tribune Chief Meteorologist is a technical advisor, and plays the television station floor director.