Dan Harmon's "story circle" can be seen on the chalkboard behind Pierce as he's work-shopping Kick Puncher jokes. The "story circle" is used by the writers to outline every episode of Community. Harmon even uses it for the throwaway jokes. The circle consists of eight steps: 1) A character is in a zone of comfort, 2) but they want something. 3) They enter an unfamiliar situation. 4) Adapt to it. 5) Get what they wanted. 6) Pay a heavy price for it. 7) Then return to their familiar situation, 8) having changed.
The writing team that help Pierce (Chevy Chase) have worked with Donald Glover (Troy) in their college sketch group Derrick Comedy, which produced the movie Mystery Team.
WILHELM SCREAM: Heard as Abed, Prof. Chang, Pierce, Shirley, and Troy watch the movie "Kick Puncher".
Chang is drinking a can of Olde English 800 that has been changed to Olde British 800.
Jeff says Annie is 18. Alison Brie was 27 at the airing of this episode.