The film _Mildred Pierce_ (1945) is seen on the TV in a number of scenes, is mentioned in another scene, and is referenced in the final scene of the series.
It was rumored that co-creator George Clooney revealed he feared HBO would not renew the series during a round of golf with Mark Wahlberg. Shortly thereafter Wahlberg pitched his series Entourage to HBO which replaced K Street the following year.