Ben and Zane needed an expert to explain the changes they were noticing in their bodies. Zane was able to turn his bones into cheese, and Ben had rat sneezes. They called in Josh to explain some lore about mutations, and the X-gene, and Legends of the Hidden Temple for some reason. When we asked how genetic mutations could let someone create full rats from their nose, Josh just directed them toward 70 years worth of comic books. Could be worse, though. Could be Wolverine Origins.
Storm's Toad one-liner was a payoff to a bigger gag (It's Joss Whedon's fault)
I cannot find evidence that Danny Kaye is related to David Kaye… but you can imagine