The plot is loosely based on Lawrence Block's Burglar novels, with major changes to two principal characters. Bernard "Bernie" Rhodenbarr, a white male bookstore owner/burglar, became Bernice "Bernie" Rhodenbarr. Gay dog groomer Carolyn Kaiser, Bernie's best friend, became straight dog groomer Carl Heller.
In an interview, Whoopi Goldberg explained how they changed the main character from a man to a woman, "We just took out all the sex!"
Bruce Willis was originally offered the role of Bernie before the screenplay changed the character to a woman.
In one bar scene, WKRP in Cincinnati (1978) plays on a television in the background. Hugh Wilson created the series.