It has been said that the unfortunate addition of Roddy McDowall brought the series caliber down and, eventually, led to its premature cancellation. Indeed, much like the other Jonathan (Harris aka Dr. Zachary) in Lost in Space, the addition of Roddy's Jonathan Willoway sent the series into a different direction and diverted attention from the rest of the characters, as the actor tended to monopolize the spotlight. In fact, Fran Drescher commented that she'd refused to hire him when Roddy auditioned for the part of Niles, the butler. She candidly stated that "it would have turned her sitcom into the Roddy McDowall show, and this is Fran show!"
In the closing credits Brian Patrick Clarke is credited as "Brain Patrick Clarke".