 According to John Astin (qv), during his first meeting with  Filmways executives concerning his possible participation in the  show (with executive producer David Levy (III) (qv) in  attendance), he was originally offered the role of the Butler  (Lurch), being told that the show would be centered around this  character. Astin left this initial meeting with many reservations,  wondering if he would have to wear stilts/lifts to portray this  character, etc., and finally convinced himself that this part was  just not going to work for him. The very next day, he received a  call directly from Levy (who, according to Astin, had said little  during the previous days meeting), inviting him to lunch at a  popular Hollywood restaurant. Over lunch, after expressing his  doubts about playing the butler to Levy, Levy then offered him the  role of Gomez; Astin accepted, and the focus of the show was  changed.