When the episode was being written, many writers' contracts had just expired, so there was a small number of writers at the annual story retreat. Al Jean was very nervous about how they could write a whole new season with such a small crew. In addition, there were several scenes added after the animatic, making the schedule even tighter. However, Jon Vitti was very committed to this episode and pitched almost the entire plot by himself.
It was Jon Vitti's idea to have Adam West guest star. The other writers agreed because they were all big fans of Batman (1966) when they were children and also wanted to meet him. Matt Groening said that West was one of the most popular people to ever come to the studio.
Troy McClure mentions that the viewer may remember him from The Erotic Adventures of Hercules, the film Marge and Homer were watching in the episode Selma's Choice (1993).
The company that calls Homer about his delinquent payments is Kumatsu Motors (the company that bought out Herb Powell's car company in Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? (1991)).
The crew encountered trouble with the network censors in the scene where Homer answers the phone and pretends to be Tony Dow from Leave It to Beaver (1957). After a brief pause Homer replies to an inquiry by the person on the phone with "Yeah, they were gay." The censors refused to allow the line to be aired fearing legal recourse for libel. The Simpsons crew protested, arguing that no one in particular was being implied, and that the "they" could be anybody. After numerous phone calls and arguments, the censors allowed the joke to air.