18. They Couldn’t Figure Out George’s Career
The character of George, the patriarch of the family, had several professions before the ink settled on the script. Originally he was to be a construction worker. That was how his part read in the pilot. Then they hired Bob Uecker to play the role. He would be a sports reporter, but what kind? First, they made him a sports journalist, then settled on an anchor when it made sense to keep him in the role people associated with Uecker. Brilliant.
17. Mr. Belvedere’s Name Was Odd
The show, often shortened by fans to simply “Belvedere,” was a reference to the main character’s name. The dad on the show, George Owens, never called him Belvedere. He called him “big guy,” per Christopher Hewett’s stature. Belvedere’s actual name, a quite British-sounding name at that, was Mr. Lynn Aloysius Belvedere.