This movie of the week was intended to be the television response to Murder by Death (1976), spoofing TV detectives as opposed to crime novel detectives.
At one point while trapped on the balloon, John Byner who plays Len 'Hatch' Hatchington looks down and sees a cruise ship. The ship is The Love Boat from that TV series, on which Byner made several guest appearances and also which Gavin Macleod, whom plays Lt. Lojack played Captain Merril Stubing.
Each detective is introduced with the theme music of the real detective shows whose characters are being spoofed.
When Chief Ironbottom engages the engine on his wheelchair, the sound effect used is the same one that was used in the 60's series Batman when the Batmobile took off. Chief Ironbottom was played by Victor Buono who also portrayed by Batman villain King Tut.