During the second and third seasons, the opening credits were again accompanied by the Malvina Reynolds song "Little Boxes", but sung instead by a different individual or group each time. Artists who provided covers for openers included Elvis Costello, Death Cab for Cutie, Engelbert Humperdinck, Kate McGarrigle and Anna McGarrigle (who sang the song in French), Regina Spektor, Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice, Randy Newman, Angélique Kidjo, Donovan, Billy Bob Thornton, The Shins, Joan Baez, The Decemberists, Linkin Park, and Rise Against.
The character of Doug was only supposed to be in the pilot, but the producers liked Kevin Nealon's performance, and the comedic aspect of the character so much, that he was kept on the show.
During seasons four and five, writers noticed the chemistry and enjoyment on-screen between Mary-Louise Parker and Justin Kirk, so they decided to increase the Nancy and Andy dynamic, by writing them more scenes together.
For most of season seven, Jennifer Jason Leigh was doing a play in New York City, and wasn't available, so the writers came up with the idea of having her character appear in video chat sessions. She filmed those at her house, during breaks from the play.