While reading an unspecified comic book, Perkins mutters a reference to Gyro Gearloose, who was the eccentric inventor featured in Donald Duck comic books. Gearloose was created for Walt Disney by Carl Barks (who also created Uncle Scrooge McDuck).
This was basically a comedic remake of "The Man With The Golden Hat." A similar plot line from the series MCCLOUD starring Dennis Weaver.