Kim Fields auditioned for the part of Francine, the girl with a crush on Arnold, but she was rejected because she was too tall in relation to Gary Coleman.
Betty Bridges (who portrays Mrs. Brooks in this episode) is the real-life mother of Todd Bridges.
This episode aired nearly two months after actor Brian Salmon (Tiny) passed away. He died on 21 February 1979 at the age of 17.
Kim Fields and Charlotte Rae both appeared on The Facts of Life.