Harold Weir tells Nick that Neil Peart couldn't drum his way out of a paper bag, and plays him some Buddy Rich to show him real drumming. In real life, Neil Peart has played on several Buddy Rich tribute albums and has used Buddy as an influence for reinventing his drumming style.
When Sam is going through his closet trying to find an outfit for the party, one of the outfits he rejects is the blue disco suit he wore in Looks & Books.