During the series' 3rd season in 1987, NBC toyed with the idea of a backdoor pilot in an episode titled "Empty Nest" which neighboring couple George and Renee

Coliss

(Paul Dooley, Rita Moreno) are dealing with their last child leaving the home. The premise was poorly received, but creator Susan Harris persisted and retooled the premise and created a new spinoff in the fall of 1988. Never-before-mentioned pediatrician neighbor, Dr. Harry Weston (Richard Mulligan, of Soap fame) became the central focus of the series. His grown daughters, divorcee Carol (Dinah

Manoff

, also of Soap fame) and police officer Barbara (Kristy McNichol, Family) moved home with Harry, centering the focus on

his home

and private practice. The family's larger than life pooch, Dreyfus, was also frequently featured.