It was an homage to Fats Domino who was popular at the time. Obvious, I guess, but I didn't know it until someone pointed it out to me.

When you get overwhelmed, your autonomic nervous system forces your glottis wide open to take in more oxygen in case you need to react.

The "lump" sensation is just your swallowing muscles fighting against that reflex to keep your throat closed so you do not choke on saliva.

Russia sold Alaska to the U.S for $7.2 million then, which now is the equivalent of $132 million.

For comparison, Supergirl was received less than "well" and still earned nearly $130 million.