In a conversation with Lorelai, Kirk mentions installing DSL lines as one of his odd jobs. The writer is making fun of the fact that when Sean Gunn appeared for the first time in The Lorelais' First Day at Chilton (2000) (S1E2), he portrayed a DSL installer named Mick. Later on he became a regular guest and the name of his character became Kirk in Cinnamon's Wake (2000) (S1E5).
Kirk's film is heavily influenced by Eraserhead, specifically when Henry is invited over to dinner.
The book that Jess is reading throughout the episode is "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut.
Kirk tells Lorelei that directing movies is his passion. In real life; Sean Gunn is the brother of James Gunn, who has directed such films as Guardians of the Galaxy vol 1,2, & 3, Super, and Slither. Sean has even appeared in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies
In the hospital, Lorelai refers to the doctor as George Clooney who played Doug Ross on ER. Gilmore Girls and ER used the same hospital set. Alexis Bledel would appear in the final season of ER.