Over the span of a year, CBS ordered two pilot episodes. The network ultimately opted not to pick up the show, but they broadcast the pilots as filler during the summer of 1982. To their surprise, the broadcasts topped the Neilsen Ratings. Sure that they had a hit on their hands, the network scrambled to find a place on the fall schedule for the show. Ultimately, they bumped Mama Malone (1984) off the schedule altogether (it would be another two years before that series finally debuted). Initially airing opposite a new series called Sacrée famille (1982), ratings for the subsequent episodes of "Filthy Rich" were dismal.
Although it was intended to be a half-hour show, the first pilot was double-length to fully establish the characters and plot. When it was finally broadcast, it was split into two episodes and several brief scenes (most notably, Marshall's proclamation of his bisexuality) were dropped to accommodate a recap and an additional set of credits. The original edit found its way into fandom and has surfaced on the internet.
When the show didn't make it onto the 1981 fall TV schedule, Delta Burke began auditioning for other projects. She landed a regular role on 'Private Benjamin' and the part of Katherine Wentworth on 'Dallas,' but she was forced to turn both down because she was still locked into a contract for this series. In a 1982 AP story, Burke remarked that ultimately she was content to remain with this show "because it's as if you were doing 'Dallas' with the cast of 'Soap.'"
The pilot "Filthy Rich" originally taped at The Burbank Studios (Warner Brothers Studio) with a studio audience. The sets were placed into storage at the studio. The set dressings (furniture, window treatments/drapery, rugs, dressing props) were "tagged HOLD for Hub Braden" in the Warner Brothers property department. Braden's tags became an issue with other outside decorators wanting to use the furniture. WB Property House Rules would not allow the furniture to be rented! After the pilot finally sold, the sets and set dressing/props were set up at the ABC TV (Prospect and Talmadge, Hollywood Studio lot) where more shows were taped, with a live audience.
Dixie Carter auditioned for the role of Bootsie Westchester, but she gave such an impressive audition that she was given the role of series heavy Carlotta Beck.