Although this episode was scheduled to air on February 22, 1964, it apparently never did, and NBC refused to pay for the episode, forcing MGM to shoulder the full cost of it. Gene Roddenberry said this happened because NBC did not want to broadcast material that overtly dealt with racial prejudice against African Americans for fear of angering any viewers, affiliates or advertisers. This was during the months that the U.S. Senate was actively filibustering the legislation that would eventually become the successfully-passed Civil Rights Act of 1964. The episode was finally broadcast for the first time on TNT in the early 1990s. Roddenberry supposedly used this experience as his motivation for writing "metaphorical" stories on Star Trek (1966) to sneak controversial topics (including racism) past the network censors.
Nichelle Nichols guest starred on this segment of Gene Roddenberry's series, and he would remember her when it came to the casting of Lt. Uhura for Star Trek (1966) two years later.
Three episodes in a row has creator Gene Roddenberry's STAR TREK actors (before STAR TREK existed) in guest roles: Nichelle Nichols (TO SET IT RIGHT), Leonard Nimoy (IN THE HIGHEST TRADITION), and Ricardo Montalban (TOUR OF DUTY).