Brian mocks Mark the waiter's inarticulateness by mentioning the Algonquin Round Table. In the 1920s a group of New York writers, newspapermen and thespians (who thought themselves ever so clever) met regularly at the Algonquin Hotel. Because so many of them were self-applauding newspaper columnists, their every witticism was published nationwide. This group of professional amusers became famous for being famous.
Roy's ex-wife Sylvia makes her second and final appearance.