Originally Telma Hopkins was cast as Ruth, but Bill Cosby gave the role to Phylicia Rashad. Some believe it was in hopes of recapturing the magic The Cosby Show (1984) had, but it was because Hopkins didn't react well to Cosby's tendency to ad-lib.
Unlike its predecessor The Cosby Show (1984), Bill Cosby tends to ad-lib dialogue and actions to get a genuine reaction from his co-stars.
Madeline Kahn, who played Pauline, died in 1999. A special episode was written devoted to her, where the entire cast talked about her and her character. Selected clips of Madeline's character on the show were played, as well, including the famous scene where she talks to Hilton about death.
The sitcom is considered to be an American version of the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave (1990).
This was the last new sitcom to premiere on CBS that was recorded on video tape.