Rory calls Lorelai to tell her that she is stuck at her grandparents' house and says that it is Iran in '79 and Lorelai is Jimmy Carter. This is a reference to the Iran hostage crisis that lasted 444 days in 1979-1981 during the Carter administration, during which 52 Americans were taken hostage from the US Embassy in Tehran.
Milo Ventimiglia removed from open credits
When Emily and Rory are watching the ballroom dancing competition, Emily tells Rory about Corky and Shirley Ballas. She mentions their son Corky Jr. Their son is actually Mark Ballas, who is a past champion on the TV show Dancing with the Stars (2005). Technically, Mark Ballas is Mark Ballas, Jr. "Corky" is Mark Ballas, Sr.'s nickname.
First episode of the series submitted in HDTV.
Despite the major selling of Yale being close enough for Rory to live at home, she still moves into a dorm when she goes to Yale.