ABC initially passed on the pilot for "Off the Rack." When the network aired the unsold pilot during the summer, a common practice in those days, the wife of ABC's president saw it, loved it, and berated her husband for not picking it up. Suddenly, an order came down for six more episodes. The critics were kind to the show, lauding the comic chemistry between Ed Asner and Eileen Brennan. But after seven episodes had aired on Friday night opposite the second half of "Dallas", "Off the Rack" died a quick death.
Because of her commitment to the series, Claudia Wells initially had to turn down the part of Marty McFly's girlfriend Jennifer in Back to the Future (1985). She was able to accept the role following the series' cancellation.