This episode marks Ted McGinley's first appearance in the show, as "Norman Jablonsky". He would later assume the regular role of Jefferson D'Arcy, Marcy's second husband.
Sam Kinison jokes about having vanity plates that read, "HIT ME". A drunk teenager killed Kinison in a head-on crash about three years later.
This episode was taped on December 8, 1989.
The episode title is a reference to the classic Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life".