In the film's overseas releases, the celebrity that Will Smith names as an alien was changed from Dennis Rodman to Michael Jackson because Rodman wasn't as well known in countries like France and Spain. We'd explain Rodman for our overseas Shmoopers, but that would require us to dredge up memories of Simon Sez, and we just don't have the mental courage. (Source)

Men in Black starts right away with the paranormal conspiracy theory shout-outs. The van smuggling the undocumented immigrants drives along Highway 375, a reference to Nevada State Road 375, known as the "Extraterrestrial Highway" due to its proximity to alleged UFO crash site Area 51. Rick's excuse to the INS officer that he was "fishing in Cuernavaca" is a nod to UFOlogist Gordon Creighton's theory that a UFO crash landed near there in 1951. And, oh yeah, Paul is dead, which is obvious to anyone who's ever played "A Day in the Life" backwards. (Source)

Director Barry Sonnenfeld said he chose designer Isaac Mizrahi to be on the alien Big Board because he looked like one the of the Blue Meanies from the "Yellow Submarine" video. We report, you decide. (Source)

The film's credits changed the "No Animals Were Harmed" disclaimer in the credits to read, "The animals and aliens used in this film were in no way mistreated and all scenes in which they appeared were under strict supervision with the utmost concern for their handling." Because the last thing you want as a science fiction filmmaker is for the Alien Actors Guild to lawyer up on you. (Source)