I thought that I heard Steve Douglas call Ernie by his real name.
It was in an episode in one of the later seasons, with Beverly Garland in the cast.
Did anyone else hear this?
Which episode was that?

I thought I heard something odd in the dialog Friday (in a scene between them)...maybe I can recheck that.

Obviously somebody is supposed to catch stuff like that...the director or a dialogue coach (if there is one).

Judging by the lack of responses, I have to wonder if maybe I used bad judgement in titling this thread.
I wasn't passing judgement on Fred McMurray's character.
Perhaps I should have titled it "Fred McMurray's error"

I'm sorry that i could not give more information as I only saw that happen in passing and did not think to note which episode it was from.

I was shocked that a seasoned pro like him could make a mistake like that.
It went by so quick that I would like confirmation that I heard correctly what was spoken.

In today's season 12 episode, Four For The Road, Fred MacMurray calls one of the triplets "Mike" (that's one of the triplets' real name). That happens as they're entering an office lobby of one of Steve's clients.

Maybe Steve was longing for his long-lost firstborn.