This show is based on the true childhood story of its author, Tim Doyle, who grew up in Glendale, California during the 1970s and indeed has seven brothers, the oldest of whom was a seminarian who decided not to become a priest.
The father Mike Cleary mentions fighting Nazis in World War II. Michael Cudlitz who played Mike Cleary famously fought the German Army in World War II as Bull Randleman in the HBO mini-series "Band of Brothers."
The recreation of "Hollyweird" Boulevard in 1972 was done on the actual Hollywood side street of Ivar Avenue. The historic Ivar Theater marquee appears prominently as the strip club next door to the Children's Theater. And the interior of the Ivar Theater was used to shoot Timmy's audition.
All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena was used as the Catholic church in this program. The production could not get permission to shoot in an actual Catholic church so they added statues and other elements to make an Episcopal church look more authentic. And then the bingo scene was shot in the auditorium of a nearby Baptist church.