Steve Kampmann, the actor who portrayed "Kirk Devane", was Emmy-nominated for his writing for "WKRP in Cincinnati".
Since Tom Poston was married to Suzanne Pleshette and a close friend of Bob Newhart, he may have had an advantage when it came to casting "George Utley".
I always thought the stand-out acting talent in the show was Julia Duffy and Peter Scolari.