Billy Campbell, who played Okona, was a contender for the role of Commander Riker. Campbell was Gene Roddenberry's preferred choice, but the studio insisted on Jonathan Frakes instead.
According to some sources, Jerry Lewis was invited to play the holodeck comic. The role eventually went to Joe Piscopo who included a Lewis impersonation.
When Data scans the list of potential holographic comedians, the names are all members of the show's crew and production staff.
Guinan's "You're a droid and I'm a noid" joke may be the only time that 'droid' (as an abbreviation for 'android') has been used in the Star Trek universe. This word is much more common in the Star Wars universe.