Columbo questions Eileen and Neal in Chasen's Restaurant and provides horrified amusement to everyone by ordering chili. Chasen's, which closed in 1995, was renowned for its chili.
When Columbo receives the bill for his bowl of chili at the fancy restaurant, he is astounded that it costs $6.00. While this may not sound like an outrageous amount, that would be equivalent to $33.00 in 2021 after adjusting for inflation.
Columbo reviews the key plot points from a previous episode, Candidate for Crime (1973). Riley Greenleaf responds, "Lieutenant, very frankly, I don't give a damn about your senator or your story."
Jack Cassidy starred in the first official episode in the series, Murder by the Book (1971) which also dealt with writing and publishing.
Columbo enthusiastically refers to Bette Davis' acting abilities. Peter Falk won an Oscar nomination co-starring with Davis in Pocketful of Miracles (1961).