Michael Dukakis was the 65th Governor of Massachusetts, from 1975 to 1979 and again from 1983 to 1991. He is the longest-serving governor in Massachusetts history. He was nominated by the Democratic Party for president in the 1988 election, losing to the Republican candidate, Vice President George H. W. Bush. He left office in January of 1991, one month prior to when this episode aired.
It is mentioned Sam never missed a Valentine's Day with Lauren, but he was in a serious relationship with Diane on Valentine's Day and was also married before Diane.
The original Broadway production of "Same Time, Next Year" on which the title is based is by Bernard Slade and opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theater on March 14, 1975, ran for 1453 performances and was nominated for the 1975 Tony Award for Best Play. Ellen Burstyn reprises her role in the movie Same Time, Next Year (1978) for she won the 1975 Tony Award (New York City) for Actress in a Drama. Bernard Slade also wrote the screenplay based upon his stage play.