The "important TV critics" Roger & Jean are inspired by famous Chicago-based film critics Roger Ebert (of the Chicago Sun-Times) and Gene Siskel (of the Chicago Tribune), famously known as the duo Siskel & Ebert, popular co-hosts of national television shows Sneak Previews (1975), At the Movies (1982), and Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (1986), and originators of the thumbs-up/thumbs-down movie rating metric.
At the time this episode as broadcast, Lickety-Splat (1961) had not yet been released on DVD or Blu-ray by Warner Bros., though a restored print was available to watch on the HBO Max streaming service.
This episode introduces three new characters: Roger Shaddup & Jean Showacartoon (aka Shaddup & Showacartoon - "Important TV Critics", played by Kevin Fleming and Leila Gorstein, respectively), and Chicago-region mime Imena Bocks ("Despised Street Performer", portrayed by Gorstein). Also appearing is recurring MeTV cop Det. Abouttoretire (Fleming).
Svengoolie (1995) sidekick Kerwyn drops in for a brief cameo, taunting his MeTV rival Toony when the latter muses about finding a co-host to share the work while Bill is unable to speak.
Series regulars Goldie Fisher and Mr. Quizzer do not appear in this episode.