The Cognac Dewey steals from the Lucky Aide is a Leopold Gourmel Cognac Aged Du Fruit.
In the cold open, Hal (Bryan Cranston) reads a crossword clue "My Mother the blank". The answer is "My Mother the Car (1965)" which commonly appears on lists of the worst television shows ever made.
Among the items on the kitchen table donated to Malcolm's family during the food drive are some prominently placed Korean "Strawberry Pie" cake snacks.
Julie Houlerman is likely a play on the name Julie Houlihan, the music supervisor for the pilot episode