He reportedly fought to have top billing, or at least shared top billing with Light, in response to his Knots Landing fame. Both the producers and ABC refused to move Devane's billing, believing that Judith Light having sole first billing would draw in more of the female 18-49 demographic that is attractive to advertisers and would bring back ABC viewers who had made Light's previous series, Who's the Boss?, a success.
He argued for top billing or shared billing with Light due to his Knots Landing fame. Both the producers and ABC declined to move Devane's position, believing that having Judith Light as sole first billing would attract more female 18-49 viewers interested in advertisers and would encourage ABC viewers who liked Light's previous series, Who's the Boss, which was a hit.