The episode was written by Jonathan Collier and directed by Mike B. Anderson. It was Anderson's first directing role and the story was inspired by the 1991 exhumation of President Zachary Taylor. Donald Sutherland guest-starred as the voice of Hollis Hurlbut, a part that was written specifically for him. The episode includes several references to Colonial and Revolutionary America. It contains a scene of dialogue between George Washington and Lisa in which he makes a reference to “Kentuckians”. It also features Gilbert Stuart's unfinished 1796 painting of George Washington. In its original airing, it contains an extended scene of Jebediah’s “confession”. After he finishes narrating it and laughs we see that he wrote the laughs in the confession and Lisa is now reading the laughs. This is followed by a final confession he has diphtheria which Lisa then reacts to.