Inspiration for the Work: T.K. Ryan claimed to have been inspired to do Tumbleweeds after reading Zane Grey novels while sick.
Real Award, Fictional Character: Grimy Gulch’s undertaker, Claude Clay, was actually voted an honorary member of the Arizona Funeral Directors, Inc., in April 1977.
What Could Have Been: Tumbleweeds did appear in the first episode only of the 1978 Filmation series Fabulous Funnies but continued to be features in the opening and closing credits. When producing the show, Filmation wrongly assumed they had the approval of Tom K. Ryan to make the show. They didn't but Ryan offered not to sue as long as they didn't use Tumbleweeds in any more episodes.
