Michael J. Fox's final episode contained numerous references to his earlier series, "Family Ties (1982)," including a cameo appearance by Michael Gross (who played Fox's father in the earlier series), the doctor he played has a secretary named Mallory, which was Fox's sister's name on the show, a reference to a Republican Senator named "Alex P. Keaton" (Fox's earlier character). Also, Meredith Baxter appeared as his mother in earlier episodes, and also was his mother in "Family Ties (1982)."
Because he suffered from Parkinson's Disease, Michael J. Fox would often hide his left hand in his pocket.
Mayor Randall Winston (Barry Bostwick) was frequently seen wearing an "I Survived Rocky Horror" pin. Bostwick starred in "The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)" as Brad Majors.
In one episode, Carter Haywood (Michael Boatman) and Stuart Bondek (Alan Ruck) go to a Rangers game and get a chance to compete in a shot from center contest. Stuart is the only person wearing a Detroit Red Wings jersey, a reference to Ruck's role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986).
The concept for the show was set in motion after the writers had seen Michael J. Fox in "The American President (1995)," playing one of the President's political aides. They wanted him to play a similar character for television.