The three competitors, Xangelix, Morgio Zoroger, and Carla Wendos, are parodies of Vangelis, Giorgio Moroder, and Wendy Carlos, respectively.
The title of the film is a pun of Yanni's 1994 live film: Yanni: Live at the Acropolis (1994). Also, the film features a parody of Public Broadcasting Service, the company that promoted the Yanni film.
The broadcasters are named Edgar Tangram and Zedd Centauri. "Tangram", "Zeit", and "Alpha Centauri" are albums by the synth band Tangerine Dream, founded by Edgar Froese.