Minnelli's godparents were Kay Thompson and her husband William Spier. That same weekend they did a show at Spier Gardens in Stellenbosch. Kristy's best friend is Marry-Anne Spier. It builds on historical research by Gould, Biagioli, Spier, and Rip. Nick Robinson narrates the series in addition to reprising his role as Simon Spier. The project as a labor of love for writer William Spier. It was designed by the Detroit architectural firm of Spier & Rohns. The series was largely overseen by producer/director William Spier. Lewis took over directorship of Suspense from William Spier in 1950. Carol Spier would be a production designer. William Spier, Norman Macdonnell and Anton M. Leader were among the producers and directors. In 2008, Mohnish Pabrai and Guy Spier won the auction for $650,100. Among the "Prominents" who appeared were Jo Spier, Max Friediger, Paul Eppstein, and Leo Baeck. It was named for Captain Spier Spencer, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. In 1996, Fred Spier wrote "The Structure of Big History".