The episode opens with an introduction by Orson Welles. It was his last time in front of a camera; he died 5 days before the episode was broadcast. His name didn't appear in the opening or end credits, but a caption card at the beginning read "This program is dedicated to the memory of Orson Welles 1915-1985".
Cost $2 million to produce, making it the most expensive episode in the series.
Orson Welles provides the narration, and Welles was once best friends with Cybil Shepard's former boyfriend, director Peter Bogdanovich. Welles and Bogdanovich had a falling out... when, ironically, Shepard suggested her husband direct the 1979 movie Saint Jack instead of Welles. Because of this, Welles and Bogdanovich had a falling out, until around this time, the last year of Welles's life.
This is the highest rated episode of the series.
Orson Welles was a house guest of Cybill Shepherd and Peter Bogdanovich for a short time in the 1970s.