To spoof the title which no longer matches the content of the series, in the second season the producers started adding self-deprecating jokes to the show's title card. The one for this episode reads: welcome to "Cougar Town"If you want to option Travelers, call our agents.
While Ellie and Tom are writing the book, Ellie asks Tom if he is going to break her kneecaps. This is the main plot of the movie Misery (1990), starring James Caan and Kathy Bates.
Jules is upset about how better Laurie and Travis are as a couple and is competitive. In Friends, Courtney Cox's character was extremely competitive with everything from being a better couple to playing catch.