9 to 5 (film) be a drama, but "any way we did it, it seemed too preachy, too much of a feminist line. I'd wanted to work with Lily [Tomlin] for some time, and it suddenly occurred to [her producing partner] Bruce and me that we should make it a comedy." Patricia Resnick wrote the first draft drama, and Fonda cast herself, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton in the leads, the latter in her first film role. Then Colin Higgins came on board to direct and rewrite the script. Part of his job was to make room for all three in the script. Higgins
9 to 5 (TV series) replaced him in that role. He would remain throughout the rest of "9 to 5"'s ABC run. In another key element straight from the movie, resident flunky to Mr. Hart, office snoop Roz Keith (portrayed in the original film by Elizabeth Wilson), was played by British actress Jean Marsh (of "Upstairs, Downstairs" fame). Roz was responsible for digging up the personal dirt on the secretaries and to help Hart scheme his way to the very top. Season 2 also saw the addition of Herb Edelman as fatherly salesman Harry Nussbaum, who became an ally to Violet, Judy and Doralee in