The title is based on the 1954 song "Mr. Sandman" written by Pat Ballard and first recorded by The Chordettes.
The dance-off between Cliff and Howard 'Sandman' Sims is based on an old tap dance tradition of one tap dancer challenging another. According to the journal Jump Cut, "'challenge dancing,' in which each performer tries to outdo the other, is part of tap dancing's heritage, something like the jazz solos in which musicians try to outshine one another."
After suggesting Vanessa read a book instead of going to the mall, Cliff and Vanessa discuss the following plays: "Rhinoceros" by Eugene Ionesco, and "Medea," "Electra," and "The Trojan Women" by Euripides.