* DuelingShows: Was released at the same time as ''Series/{{Wonderfalls}}'', which had a very similar premise. But Fox didn't even try to put up a fight before cancelling in defeat.
* ExecutiveMeddling: The show's second season suffered from massive amounts to make it more marketable to teens. Among the bigger issues were that Joan's missions from {{God}} were no longer about making the world around her a better place, but simply to learn a lesson about herself (derided by fans as "God is Joan's life coach"), the casting of both Duff sisters (albeit in separate episodes - [[Music/HilaryDuff Hilary]] in one, Haylie in three), and Adam cheating on Joan shortly after they finally started dating to introduce cheap teen melodrama at the expense of one of the most popular characters. Unfortunately, all this did was anger the fans the show already had, and it didn't survive to a third season.
* TheOtherDarrin: Subverted with second season Sammy, who is best friends with first season Sammy and takes over the store while first season Sammy takes care of his mentally ill wife. Also averts the OneSteveLimit.
* RealLifeRelative: "Dog Walker God" was played by Creator/RussTamblyn, Amber Tamblyn's father.
* RealitySubtext: Creator/AmberTamblyn, the actress who plays Joan, is an agnostic.
* RealSongThemeTune: "One of Us" by Joan Osborne.
* StuntCasting: Both Haylie and Music/HilaryDuff. Also Creator/AdamWylie, for those who fondly remembered ''Series/PicketFences''.
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