Other than Sam, Miss Melanie was the first character on the series who was able to hear Al.
This episode has the same leap date as a subsequent one, Trilogy: Part 1 - August 8, 1955 (1992). This is the only time in the series' history that two episodes have the same leap date.
The episode is often said to have been inspired by the 1989 movie Driving Miss Daisy. However, the episode first aired several months prior to the release of the movie. The movie was based on a theatrical play of the same name, so it's likely the latter was what inspired the episode.
This leap takes place on Sam's 2nd birthday.
This is the first time that Sam says his trademark - "Oh, boy!" - at the end of the show and after leaping. The first time he says it, however, was in the first episode after seeing his reflection in the mirror as the baseball player Tim Fox.