This is the first episode in which Stewie does not make an appearance. This made Brian the only character to appear in every episode until Into Harmony's Way (2013).
The wind joke "I've only seen that word written" was previously done on The Simpsons, Treehouse of Horror XIV.
The cutaway gag where Carter is upset about two parter episodes and wonders whether "Tootie" will drink alcohol, is from Growing Pains (1981) but it's actually a commercial break not a separate episode that hides Tootie's choice.