It had been preceded by their screenwriting for John Landis"" independently-produced underground hitThe Kentucky Fried Movie (1977)- a comic anthology of TV shows and commercials.""Toots,"" the man in the hat from the lobby, was handed a drink for delivery, ignoring the female""s offer to bring the beer to the hotel guest: ("When he wants you, he""ll send for you").The subtle film""s slogan proclaimed:"Getting there is half he fun.Being there is all of it."The film was directed by Hal Ashby (already known forHarold and Maude (1971),The Last Detail (1973),Shampoo (1975),Bound for Glory (1976),and the acclaimed Vietnam war filmComing Home (1978)).It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director, Best Screenplay (Paul Osborn), and two acting nominations: Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress.