The TV series Cover Up (1984) that Nicky talks about, is a real show that ran from 1984-85 with 21 episodes. The story she tells about a lead actor who accidentally killed himself with a prop gun was also true: On October 12, 1984, actor Jon-Erik Hexum was outfitted with a working gun loaded with blanks. Shooting was delayed, and while waiting, Hexum started to occupy himself by playing "Russian Roulette" with what he thought was a harmless prop. Wadding from a blank penetrated his skull and caused a hemorrhage. He was rushed into brain surgery but died six days later; his organs were donated to transplant patients. The showrunners replaced him with Antony Hamilton, an Australian former ballet dancer and model, but the show was still canceled at the end of its first season.