At one point Alex suggests that Bill go to a James Bond film festival. Michael J. Fox would later co-star with future James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan in Mars Attacks! (1996).
Per the title, the hot line was the Cold War phone line between the President of the United States and the Premier of the Soviet Union to help prevent a misunderstanding that could escalate into a nuclear conflict. Hot Lines are also established for people who are in crisis or need immediate help.