AVC: When it comes to doing sitcoms, you’ve been around the block a few times. In fact, you’ve been doing them since your very first full-time TV gig, when you played Jeffrey P. Brookes III on The Ropers.

JT: That’s true. It was my first time as a part of a series, and I didn’t know what being part of a series was all about. That was the same year I did … And Justice For All, so… It was just an odd, odd thing, really. I made $6,000 per week, which I thought was a million dollars. I learned a lot. I loved Norman [Fell] and Audra [Lindley], and Patty [McCormack], and I had a great time. It was wonderful. It’s interesting, but… the great thing about acting is that you kind of do what’s there and do it the best you can. But I loved it. It was a great experience.

AVC: Presumably there was a bit of a learning curve for you, given that you were just getting your feet wet on television.

JT: A huge learning curve. Huge.

AVC: Were Norman Fell and Audra Lindley helpful in steering you in the right direction?

JT: Oh, well, I loved Norman. Norman was an intellectual, and he had this sad-sack dog face—and I mean that in a totally honorific way—and yet when he would come to my house, I would always find him in my library, reading a book. Audra was great. Patty and I clicked. And I loved [executive producers Don] Nicholl, [Michael] Ross, and [Bernard] West. They were so kind to me. They were paternal, in a way. I felt sorry for them, because here was this actor who’d come from Broadway, and I just… I didn’t know how you made a show. When they gave you a note, you had to stand up and do it, and I thought that was just ridiculous. [Laughs.] But I remember the first time I had to do that. Audra just kind of looked at me, winked, and was, like, “Come on, let’s go.” It was good for me. Taught me a lot.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/jeffrey-tambor,71134/

http://media.avclub.com/images/articles/article/71/71134/JeffreyTamborbig_jpg_627x325_crop_upscale_q85.jpg

There's long been evidence of the affection Jeffrey speaks of, such as his guest stint on Threes Company as Cindy's would-be suitor and Patricia McCormick's appearance on Mr. Sunshine--in the role of Jeffrey's character's ex-wife!

There's long been evidence of the affection Jeffrey speaks of, such as his guest stint on Threes Company as Cindy's would-be suitor and Patricia McCormick's appearance on Mr. Sunshine--in the role of Jeffrey's character's ex-wife!


"STARRING" not guesting

What the eff kind of post is that?

"STARRING" not guesting


LOL, exactly, And on top of that when he guest starred as Cindy's husband that was in 1981, 2 years AFTER the Ropers.

The stuff people post I swear is mind boggling-lol

Maybe you'd like to explain exactly what your buddy the moderator meant by what he posted? Oh that's right, you don't know either. You just piled on to stir up ****.

******* ******.

Maybe you'd like to explain exactly what your buddy the moderator meant by what he posted? Oh that's right, you don't know either. You just piled on to stir up ****.

******* ******.


It was simple, the Ropers was Jeffrey Tambor's first starring role in 1979, everything you mentioned was a guest spot

the end

Jeffrey was the star of Mr. Sunshine (1986 sitcom) and Patty McCormack guest starred on it, Solomon. Not sure what Brian means because what TV_on_the_Porch posted was ALL true, he "guested" on Three's Company (three times AFTER The Ropers), so NRW loved him and Jeffrey shows his affection of his past with NRW shows and stars.

Oh that's terrific--if all you care about was the title of the post and not text of the article, in which Jeffrey Tambor spoke of the mutual affection for his producers as well as his costars.

EDIT: Thank you Pavan, you said all I was going to...and a lot more nicely.

It was simple, the Ropers was Jeffrey Tambor's first starring role in 1979, everything you mentioned was a guest spot

the end


Exactly Thank you Sol, TV porch has a thing for me I think. LOL

Exactly Thank you Sol, TV porch has a thing for me I think. LOL

What did he exactly do that was wrong? I'm not seeing anything wrong in what he posted. He made good points of Jeffrey's affection for The Ropers and its stars/producers even after the show ended. Jeffrey doesn't talk ill-will about that series at all to this day.

You posted something about STARRING and not guesting, which I didn't understand at all because what he posted about those shows were true and I explained it in post #8: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showpost.php?p=4661554&postcount=8

Jeffrey was the star of Mr. Sunshine (1986 sitcom) and Patty McCormack guest starred on it, Solomon. Not sure what Brian means because what TV_on_the_Porch posted was ALL true, he "guested" on Three's Company (three times AFTER The Ropers), so NRW loved him and Jeffrey shows his affection of his past with NRW shows and stars.

I was clearing up Brian's statement which was connected to the title

What did he exactly do that was wrong? I'm not seeing anything wrong in what he posted. He made good points of Jeffrey's affection for The Ropers and its stars/producers even after the show ended. Jeffrey doesn't talk ill-will about that series at all to this day.

You posted something about STARRING and not guesting, which I didn't understand at all because what he posted about those shows were true and I explained it in post #8: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showpost.php?p=4661554&postcount=8


Pav, this dude Porch has been on my jock for a while now. I don't know why nor do I care.

Pav, this dude Porch has been on my jock for a while now. I don't know why nor do I care.

That I don't know anything about. I'm just saying what he posted in the second post here is true about Jeffrey's tie-ins with the Ropers stars/producers even after the show ended. I think you misunderstood what he posted on that post.

That I don't know anything about. I'm just saying what he posted in the second post here is true about Jeffrey's tie-ins with the Ropers stars/producers even after the show ended.

I wish I can see the episode of Sushine when Patricia McCormick made an appearance.

I wish I can see the episode of Sushine when Patricia McCormick made an appearance.

Yeah, I'm dying to see that, too. On my wishlist.

Yeah, I'm dying to see that, too. On my wishlist.


Sol has got a thing for Patricia McCormack :lol:

Sol has got a thing for Patricia McCormack :lol:


She was hotter than Suzanne Somers-lol

She was hotter than Suzanne Somers-lol


Now let's not get crazy Sol! LOL

Now let's not get crazy Sol! LOL

When she stood next to Chrissy on the Ropers, she looked better

Actually Ann and the young neighbor on the Ropers were better looking than all the female roomates on Three's Company-lol

I respectfully disagree

Great article Brian. :) I did used to watch Mr. Sunshine and I always thought it was an underrated show. Jeffrey Tambor was good in everything he ever did.

Nothing about Evan Cohen.

His hatred for that little kid must burn with the heat of a thousand suns.

Nothing about Evan Cohen.

His hatred for that little kid must burn with the heat of a thousand suns.


Why is that?

Nothing about Evan Cohen.

His hatred for that little kid must burn with the heat of a thousand suns.


He was 7 at the time and was a SMALL PART of the show so why would he mention Evan Cohen???????????????????????

He was 7 at the time and was a SMALL PART of the show so why would he mention Evan Cohen???????????????????????


I don't think Evan Cohen is even in show biz anymore. lol

I don't think Evan Cohen is even in show biz anymore. lol


His last acting role was 1999. he also made a guest appearance on Alice a year after the Ropers ended in 1981

What did he do in '99?

What did he do in '99?


he played in the 1999 movie.."Summer of Sam" which was about the 1977 murders in NYC by the Son of Sam

He was 7 at the time and was a SMALL PART of the show so why would he mention Evan Cohen???????????????????????

I guess their relationship on the set was extremely frosty. It's sad to read about this.

I guess their relationship on the set was extremely frosty. It's sad to read about this.


Walter, nobody is saying that their relationship was frosty. It wasn't even mentioned in the article. All Solomon was saying is that Evan Cohen played a bit part on The Ropers and probably wasn't even thought of one way or the other.

I love Jeffrey Tambor - one of the great underrated character actors of our time. :cool:

Walter, nobody is saying that their relationship was frosty. It wasn't even mentioned in the article.

That's an excellent point. Nobody is coming out and admitting the frosty relationship, and it's apparently gotten to the point at which interviewers won't even broach the topic in an interview with Jeff Tambor.

Pretty scary that a professional relationship could be that bad with a 7-year-old kid who had a starring credit in the opening credits. Maybe he had bad stage parents or something?

If there's an Arrested Development movie, Jeff Tambor is going to be doing a lot of media interviews for promotion. I would be shocked if some reporters didn't force him to comment on this. This story's not going to go away, unfortunately.

Are you serious? There is no story between Tambor and Cohen. Just because he didn't mention him in one print interview?

Are you serious? There is no story between Tambor and Cohen. Just because he didn't mention him in one print interview?

How often did he really talk to a 7 year old on the set? I mean come on Pav, LOL

How often did he really talk to a 7 year old on the set? I mean come on Pav, LOL


You do have a point Sol LOL

Are you serious? There is no story between Tambor and Cohen. Just because he didn't mention him in one print interview?
ITA with Pav! It is so easy for people to pass judgement on something that has absolutely no life to it. This is what the media does. I don't think anything happened significant. We ought not make an issue of it.

ITA with Pav! It is so easy for people to pass judgement on something that has absolutely no life to it. This is what the media does. I don't think anything happened significant. We ought not make an issue of it.
Has the media reported that were problems between the 2 of them?

ITA with Pav! It is so easy for people to pass judgement on something that has absolutely no life to it. This is what the media does. I don't think anything happened significant. We ought not make an issue of it.


I agree, this is the 1st time I ever heard of any thing like this. lol

I agree, this is the 1st time I ever heard of any thing like this. lol


I know, right? It's so easy to be creative. LOL.

@ Stuck in the 70's: As far as I know, there has been no stories and if there were, how significant would they be IMO?

I know, right? It's so easy to be creative. LOL.

@ Stuck in the 70's: As far as I know, there has been no stories and if there were, how significant would they be IMO?
I didn't think there were. lol Evan was just a kid then so I don't understand all the fuss. lol

I didn't think there were. lol Evan was just a kid then so I don't understand all the fuss. lol

Exactly! We make up the fuss. One person says something and then some one else says something and then they create an alleged, speculated theory. However, it is what it is and what it is, is absolutely nothing.

I don't think anything happened significant. We ought not make an issue of it.

Good post. I really hope you're right that whatever happened between Tambor and Cohen wasn't significant.

And I think your proposed strategy is a sensible one. If we don't make a big issue of it, maybe Tambor and Cohen will realize how foolish it is and bury the hatchet or whatever.

"Life's too short," as they say...

Good post. I really hope you're right that whatever happened between Tambor and Cohen wasn't significant.



If there ever was a problem it woulda been between Tambor and the parents or handlers of Evan not between Tambor and a 7 year old. Give me a Break.

If there ever was a problem it woulda been between Tambor and the parents or handlers of Evan not between Tambor and a 7 year old. Give me a Break.

Ha! Ha! Ha! That is funny!

I can just see it.

Evan Cohen: Your a poo poo head!
Jeffrey Tambor: I know you are but what am I, I know you are but what am I.

I can just see it.

Evan Cohen: Your a poo poo head!
Jeffrey Tambor: I know you are but what am I, I know you are but what am I.

I LOVE IT!!!

I don't know why he would even mention the kid, he probably forgot all about him. :lol: It's not like he was working with a young Ron Howard or Gary Coleman. I don't recall too many scenes with Jeffrey and Evan. In fact, I think Norman Fell had more scenes with the kid than anyone else did.

If there ever was a problem it woulda been between Tambor and the parents or handlers of Evan not between Tambor and a 7 year old. Give me a Break.

That's very interesting inside information that any problems between them were due to parents and handlers. I always appreciate when someone can weigh in with something they know or heard. Thank you.

But it makes it even more strange that Jeffrey Tambor would hold it against Evan Cohen, wouldn't it?