The character "Snake" first appeared in episode 3 of the second season, "A Man Called Snake," played by Rob Reiner. When the character returned, Reiner had debuted as Michael 'Meathead' Stivic in All in the Family, and the Snake role was recast.
One of the very few episodes of "The Partridge Family" where an actual Partridge Family album is seen. The group's latest album "Shopping Bag" is on a sales rack inside the store where Snake's girlfriend Penny works.
When Snake makes a comment about his Native American girlfriend taking Alcatraz this is referring to The Occupation of Alcatraz (November 20, 1969 - June 11, 1971.) It was a 19-month long protest when 89 Native Americans and their supporters occupied Alcatraz Island.