Casting Issues
In an odd casting snafu, the character of Jennifer Malone, Suzanne's secretary, was played by two different actresses. The producers' original choice, Julie Hagerty was unavailable when production began, so Valerie Mahaffey took the role until Hagerty was available. Hagerty quit after taping two episodes, and Mahaffey returned to the role for one more show. In the following episode, Lisa Rieffel was introduced as intern Veda. Malone's sudden departure was never explained on-screen, though when last seen, she was embarrassed for having asked Suzanne if she could accept the invitation for a date with Ms. Sugarbaker's ex-husband, Dash Goff (Gerald McRaney).
Similarly, the character of Suzanne's brother Jim (Jonathan Banks) was quickly phased out of the show, though Suzanne did continue to refer to him in later episodes. Strangely, Banks got a "Special Guest Star" credit in the opening segment of the first eight episodes, though he only appeared in three.
One of the first people attached to star in the series was then-renowned self-help guru Susan Powter. Powter eventually appeared in the twelfth episode, "Dear Diary," and it was left open for her character to have a heavy recurring role if the series had continued.
Read more about this topic: Women Of The House
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