The episode was created as a showcase for Jerry Lanning. Son of singer Roberta Sherwood, this episode marked one of many television appearances Lanning did in the sixties. Seen as a talent waiting for his big break, Lanning would appear also on The Lucy Show and play Joe Hardy on a television remake of Damn Yankees. Lanning, however, never caught in with audiences and never received any appreciable stardom. Likewise the cast did not care for this episode as it only existed to showcase Lanning's talent.
Sally's discovery of Randy Twizzle reflects Rose Marie's real life breaks she gave to other performers. She helped Tim Conway land his first major network TV job on "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show."
According to Vince Waldron's book about the Dick Van Dyke Show, the cast didn't much care for this episode. Jerry Lanning was cast for much the same reason as his character was: to give him his big break in show business.
This show was distinguished by the fact that almost everyone in the cast had made a record: Dick Van Dyke, both as a solo artist and cast member of Mary Poppins Rose Marie, as Baby Rose Marie in the 1930's Morey Amsterdam was a songwriter and he also released comedy albums Richard Deacon appeared on a Morey Amsterdam album, "Funny You Should Ask" Fred Blassie released a record called "King of Men", which featured the Dr. Demento favorite, "Pencil-Neck Geek" Jerry Lanning had an album called, "Jerry Lanning Sings". Jack Albertson appears on the soundtrack of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" singing, "I've Got a Golden Ticket". Mary Tyler Moore WAS in the musical version of Breakfast At Tiffany's, which was on Broadway and did release an original cast recording, though the showed closed almost immediately, and the album is rare. Prior to working in television, Ms. Moore was a model for several record album covers before she became famous. You can see her on the cover of Steve Philips - "Organ Favorites", Miguel Lopez - "Organ Favorites" and (in the same dress as the Lopez LP) "Cha Cha Cha" by Raoul Martinez.
While the gang is at the bowling alley seeing the twizzle live, you clearly hear Buddy counting 3-4-5-6-7-8 however his mouth is not moving.