The Traveling Wilburys was a supergroup founded in the late 1980s, consisting of George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan.
The painting Todd (Danny Strong) stands in front of when talking to Bobby (Damian Lewis) is "The Music Lesson", by the dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. The painting is also known as Woman Seated at a Virginal or A Lady at the Virginals with a Gentleman.
Wags makes a reference to Charles Van Doren. In the movie Quiz Show, Rob Morrow plays the person investigating Charles Van Doren. Rob Morrow also has a role in this show.