Varney's Emmy win occurred shortly after the show was canceled. In a Chicago Tribune interview conducted at the time, he spoke of his hope that the Emmy recognition (as well as a letter campaign from the Ernest fan club) would convince CBS to reconsider.
Jim Varney reprises his Sergeant Glory advertising character (which predates his Ernest character). Sergeant Glory promoted Purity dairy products in 1972.
Due to Jim Varney's popularity in commercials, both John R. Cherry III and Andy Heyward talked to CBS and wanted Varney to star in a live-action series, which, he accepted the offer.
Launched the career of Debi Derryberry.
While working on this show, Jim Varney was also busy doing the movie Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), at the same time.