This episode was created as not just as a parody, but a less-than-subtle dig because the network gave away the prime time slot that Murder She Wrote occupied on Sunday and moved her show to Thursday against the rival network show FRIENDS. Much to the chagrin of Angela Lansbury herself.
The theme song for the fictitious show "Buds" (playing after Murder She Wrote intro) is very similar the theme song for the sitcom Friends (1994) which is a similar show to "Buds"
While "Murder, She Wrote" was filmed at Universal Studios, the red-brick studio used here was the former Monogram Pictures studio, the oldest continuously-operating studio in Hollywood. At the time, it was the home of the L.A. PBS affiliate KCET.
There is a blooper on the outside marquee. It says Buds airing at 8 p.m. on Wednesday's. There should be no apostrophe.