Terry Farrell joined Becker shortly after being written out of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, where she had played Jadzia Dax, following the expiration of her contract without renegotiation.

The original plan for the show was for Becker and Reggie to develop romantic tension over the series, with the finale intended to show them going on their first date.

Producers abandoned the planned Becker-Reggie romance because they worried it would draw comparisons to the Sam and Diane relationship on Cheers.

Nancy Travis was introduced at the end of season four as Chris, Becker's new neighbor, intended to serve as a romantic rival to Reggie and a cheerful counterpart to Becker's misanthropy.

Terry Farrell was dropped from the show at the end of season four despite the season ending on a cliffhanger with Reggie kissing Becker, which came as a shock to her.

Creator Dave Hackel stated that Farrell's departure had nothing to do with her supporting the cast in a lawsuit and walkout over a promised pay raise after season three.

After being moved from its successful Monday night slot (as a lead-out for Everybody Loves Raymond, where it ranked in the top 20) to lead off Sunday nights, Becker's ratings unexpectedly fell out of the top 50.

CBS initially planned to cancel Becker after its ratings decline, then agreed only to a shortened 13-episode sixth season, before reversing course again to launch the final season in the fall lineup.