The award banquet Fletch interrupts is in honor of Fred Dorfman. Fred Dorfman the name of Kent "Flounder" Dorfman's brother in Animal House (1978), which was originally going to feature Chevy Chase as Eric "Otter" Stratton. Otter was eventually played by Tim Matheson, who also appears in this movie as Alan Stanwyk.
When Mr. Underhill comes to collect the money for his lunch bill, Fletch searches for the time on his non watch-wearing wrist. This is a trademark of Chevy Chase.
Harold Faltermeyer replaced Tom Scott as the film's composer. However, Scott's name is visible on the early poster releases for the movie as well as the trailer included on the DVD.
Fletch tells beach drifter in one scene that he "feels like a hundred dollars". This line is also said by Ty Webb in Caddyshack (1980), a role also played by Chevy Chase.