Trivia / Midnight Caller

• Author's Saving Throw: The third episode, "After It Happened," was heavily criticized by both LGBT and HIV/AIDS advocacy groups for its portrayal of a bisexual man who knowingly infects people with HIV. While researching the follow-up episode, "Someone to Love," writer Stephen Zito talked to some of the people who protested "After it Happened." He and guest star Kay Lenz also met with a support group for women with AIDS, and some of their stories were used in the episode. As a result, "Someone to Love" was much better received, and was praised by many of the people who had criticized "After it Happened."
• The Danza: Bartender Jerado is played by Jerado Carmona.
• Development Gag: In "Blues for Mr. Charlie," a snippet of a song by Bobby and the Bonemasters is played. Bobby and the Bonemasters was a band consisting of executive producer Robert Singer on vocals, unit production manager Jim Behnke on guitar, assistant director Kenny Collins on bass, and Gary Cole himself on drums.
• Evolving Credits: Wendy Kilbourne is replaced by Lisa Eilbacher early in season three.
• Friday Night Death Slot: The show was moved here in its third season, since its rival thirtysomething was beating it in demographics. It never recovered, and wasn't renewed for a fourth.
• Keep Circulating the Tapes: The show still hasn't been released on DVD, and tapes of episodes can sell for over a hundred dollars. Thankfully most episodes can be found online.
• Real-Life Relative: The father of Devon's child is played by Wendy Kilbourne's husband James Read.
• Separated-at-Birth Casting: Scott Valentine, who plays Jack's younger brother Frankie, bears an uncanny resemblance to Gary Cole.
• Star-Making Role: For Gary Cole.
• Throw It In!: Done occasionally when a guest star mangled a line in an amusing way, such as when the villain of "Kid Salinas" tells Jack he has "brass cannolis."
• Written-In Infirmity: When Wendy Kilbourne gets pregnant, so does Devon.

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