If Gavin MacLeod got the first role he auditioned for as Lou Grant, do you think the show would've still worked?

http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/img/slaughter1218.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xc2Qw7PFvBc/R7upmKx-_II/AAAAAAAAAFw/q6Lb8Qt_QeY/s320/250px-LouGrant.jpg

Ummm, Maybe

Just for the record I think everyone was great as they ended up being


[QUOTE=Brian Damage]If Gavin MacLeod got the first role he auditioned for as Lou Grant, do you think the show would've still worked?

I think it would have worked.

Afterwards MacLeod went right into the authorative roll of Captain Stubing- a far cry from Murray- and was very good. Hard to believe it's the same actor.

I think MacLeod would have had the chops to pull it off as Lou, but I don't think it would have been as memorable. It was more suited for Ed Asner.

I don't think it would have worked, because if you have Gavin as Lou, you also don't have Gavin as Murray.
So in this scenario you're not just losing Lou Grant, you're losing Murray Slaughter, too...TWO characters we loved.

Gavin certainly is a fine actor and COULD have played Lou Grant, but I'm not sure he could have been gruff enough. And anybody they brought in wouldn't have been as sharp-witted and as loyal as Murray.

These things are fun to think about, of course, but the reality is we are lucky it all came together the way it did.

I agree that Gavin MacLeod was capable of playing Lou. However if he had played Lou than the relationship between Lou and Mary would have been different which would have had an effect on the entire show since the Lou/Mary relationship is so central to the show.

It's too hard for me to say. To me, Ed IS Lou, and Gavin IS Murray. I can't imagine anyone else in those roles!!

Yeah, what Monika said. :) I think Gavin knew from the start he wasn't right for Lou, and I'm glad he got Murray instead.

Yes, I agree. I can't see Ed or Gavin playing anyone else but the characters they ended up portraying.

And yes, even after Gavin read for "Lou" right when he was gonna walk out, he turned back and asked if he could read "Murray".

I think he and Ed even passed each other somewhere in auditions.

My first guess is "no, it wouldn't have worked as well." But you never know.

I will say that it seems fated that these guys ended up with the roles they did. The show's incredible success seems to bear this out. :)