This was the first episode of the series with no scenes taking place inside the Bunkers' house.
Series creator Norman Lear and Carroll O'Connor were often at odds, and according to Lear, this episode was one of the worst times. O'Connor was dead against doing this story, finding it "repulsive" and "unplayable," gave many reasons why it wouldn't work, and walked out of a table reading. He later confronted CBS brass with his attorney and agent, and in a heated argument, began to cry that this was all too much for him. CBS then began threatening legal action if there was no new episode to air. After missing the first few rehearsals, O'Connor finally showed up for a rehearsal. When the show was filmed, the studio audience erupted, and due to the cast (top-notch guest stars especially), O'Connor's performance, the direction, and emotion, everyone involved thought it was perhaps the best episode of the show up to that point.
As of July 2023, Hector Elizondo is the only surviving cast member stuck in the elevator. In order, O'Connor, Browne, Diaz and Brennan have died.