This show shares a universe with both Friends (1994) and Frasier (1993). In Caroline and the Folks (1995), Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) crosses over from Friends (1994) while Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) and Niles Crane (David Hyde Pierce) crossed over from Frasier (1993) in the episode Caroline and the Bad Back (1995). In addition, Caroline Duffy (Lea Thompson) crossed over on Friends (1994) in the episode The One with the Baby on the Bus (1995).
On Caroline and the Office (1998), Caroline and Del joke about the movie Howard the Duck (1986), a film in which Lea Thompson (Caroline) starred nearly a decade earlier.
Jon Favreau, Craig Bierko, and Greg Kinnear were considered for the role of Richard Karinsky before Malcolm Gets was cast.
At one point, Judith Light, Brooke Shields, and Catherine Lloyd Burns were all considered for the role of Caroline Duffy before Lea Thompson was cast in the role.