!!The radio show
* {{Defictionalization}}:
** Powdermilk Biscuit mix were sold at the Lake Wobegon store at the Mall of America[[note]]Look for them in the brown paper bag with the stains that indicate freshness[[/note]], until the store closed in January 2009.
** Catchup Advisory Board approved ketchup is also sold on the website.
* HarpoDoesSomethingFunny: The Lake Wobegon monologues are totally unscripted.
* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: ''Prairie Home Companion'' is one of the few public radio shows not archived in its entirety online. Originally, this was primarily due to music licensing issues. Then after Keillor retired from the show, in November 2017, amidst the [=MeToo=] Movement, Keillor was outed for his own sexual misconduct behind the scenes. Minnesota Public Radio not only [[http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2017/11/29/garrison_keillor_fired_from_minnesota_public_radio_amid_allegations_of_improper.html fired Keillor]], they also ended distribution of all ''PHC'' episodes [[UnPerson featuring Keillor]], up to and including his retirement show that aired in 2016. In order to further distance themselves from Keillor, the name of the show was changed to "Live from Here" on December 16, 2017; and is effectively being treated by MPR as an entirely separate show.[[note]]If you dig into the show's online page, on the About page, hidden under the fold, you'll find a statement that the show used to be called A Prarie Home Companion.[[/note]]
* RealSongThemeTune: "Tishomingo Blues", but with lyrics rewritten for the show:
-->"''Oh, hear that old piano, from down the avenue.\\
I smell the [[[CouchGag insert city-related objects]]], I look around for you\\
My sweet, sweet old someone, comin' through that door\\
It's Saturday an' \\
The band is playin',\\
Honey, could we ask for more?"''
** Prior to that, it had been "Hello, Love," by Hank Snow
-->"''Well, look who's coming through the door\\
I think we've met somewhere before\\
Hello love, hello love\\
Where in the world have you been so long?\\
I've missed you so since you've been gone\\
Hello love, hello love"''
* UnCanceled: The show was officially set to end in the late 80's, and they had a big, very memorable farewell show. But then they had a reunion show a year later, and another one the year after that, and eventually it came back as if it had never left.

!!The movie
* AllStarCast: The movie stars Creator/KevinKline, Creator/MerylStreep, Creator/LilyTomlin, Creator/JohnCReilly, Creator/WoodyHarrelson, Creator/LindsayLohan, Creator/MayaRudolph, and Creator/VirginiaMadsen.
* RealitySubtext:
** During the production of the film, Robert Altman's condition was fading and he announced that he had a pacemaker in his heart. For insurance purposes, Creator/PaulThomasAnderson was an overseer who would step in as director if anything happened to Altman. As such, the film's themes of "death" can be seen as Altman's own reflection of his mortality.
** The fact that he died after production only adds to this.
---> ''"The death of an old man is not a tragedy."''
* ThrowItIn: When Guy Noir pops the champange bottle, the person who he accidentally hit (offscreen) was director Creator/RobertAltman.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
** Lyle Lovett and Music/TomWaits were originally cast as Dusty and Lefty.
** Creator/GeorgeClooney was offered the role of Guy Noir, but regretfully turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. Keillor jokes in the screenplay that he actually wanted Clooney to play ''him''.
----