James Cromwell Unhappy With His Character - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 06-09-2005, 11:33 AM

http://entertainment.excite.com/cele...09_2005_3.html

TV GUIDE

Six Feet Star: Mad as Hell?

Viewers aren't the only ones shocked by Six Feet Under's plot twists. Sometimes the actors are, too.

Take James Cromwell, who's not crazy about George's recent descent into madness. "They didn't tell me what was going to happen to this guy — all of a sudden, he started to fall to pieces, and I had no idea," gripes Cromwell, whose character undergoes electroshock therapy this season. "I'm not used to working this way. I like to know when I'm being led somewhere."

Cromwell thinks he's earned the right to be warned of such a sudden switcheroo. "S---, I've been doing this for 40 years," he says. "I'm not a goof. I understand if you've got a 19-year-old kid who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, but people spend their lives doing this. It doesn't add any more life to keep actors out of the loop.

"I have quibbles with writers running shows," Cromwell adds, pointedly referring to SFU creator Alan Ball. "Writers are belittled in this industry, and when they get in a position of authority, they tend to be very secretive of the process. No writer who's busted his b---s to come up with a script likes some actor to say, 'I don't think [my character would] say that.' They just want to punch your teeth. On the other hand, when you assemble a group of people who I believe are peers, it's nice to create an atmosphere in which there is feedback."

In his own defense, Ball pleads ignorance, claiming that even the writers don't know what's coming up for the characters. "It's funny that he has a problem with it, because I think he's done some of his best work and he should be proud of that," Ball says. "But a lot of times, actors tend to confuse their characters with themselves and don't want to be weak or infirm or unlikable." By George, we think he's got it.

TripperFan · 06-09-2005, 11:46 AM

This reminds me of when they had Joey, on Days Of Our Lives fall down the elevator shaft.

Maybe James has been taking liberty with the scripts and telling the press he punches up the lines himself!!

I wouldn't put it past the writers to have him meet the same fate!!

(Actually I stopped watching Six Feet Under last season.....just not enough interesting going on to hold my attention. Maybe the writers felt the same thing and that's why James is going to the funny farm).

Jrnygrl · 06-13-2005, 11:41 AM

To be honest I never liked the character of George, but I have to agree with Cromwell, I thought that they were headed in one direction with this guy, but they went into another. I think they could have explained a lot more about him, but since this is the last season I think they needed to rush a story for him and this is what happened.

I also think a lot of last season was really sloppy writing, and then it picked up at the end.

I you want to see how writers treat actors you should watch "The Comeback" on HBO. Really great show.

TripperFan · 06-13-2005, 12:00 PM

Yeah - Janice was saying that The Comeback is good. I'm going to tune it in for sure.

TVQuack · 06-21-2005, 11:36 PM

I liked George's character before his electroshock sessions. It's gonna be weird to see how he's gonna do the rest of this final season.

06-09-2005, 11:33 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,389	James Cromwell Unhappy With His Character http://entertainment.excite.com/cele...09_2005_3.html TV GUIDE Six Feet Star: Mad as Hell? Viewers aren't the only ones shocked by Six Feet Under's plot twists. Sometimes the actors are, too. Take James Cromwell, who's not crazy about George's recent descent into madness. "They didn't tell me what was going to happen to this guy — all of a sudden, he started to fall to pieces, and I had no idea," gripes Cromwell, whose character undergoes electroshock therapy this season. "I'm not used to working this way. I like to know when I'm being led somewhere." Cromwell thinks he's earned the right to be warned of such a sudden switcheroo. "S---, I've been doing this for 40 years," he says. "I'm not a goof. I understand if you've got a 19-year-old kid who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground, but people spend their lives doing this. It doesn't add any more life to keep actors out of the loop. "I have quibbles with writers running shows," Cromwell adds, pointedly referring to SFU creator Alan Ball. "Writers are belittled in this industry, and when they get in a position of authority, they tend to be very secretive of the process. No writer who's busted his b---s to come up with a script likes some actor to say, 'I don't think [my character would] say that.' They just want to punch your teeth. On the other hand, when you assemble a group of people who I believe are peers, it's nice to create an atmosphere in which there is feedback." In his own defense, Ball pleads ignorance, claiming that even the writers don't know what's coming up for the characters. "It's funny that he has a problem with it, because I think he's done some of his best work and he should be proud of that," Ball says. "But a lot of times, actors tend to confuse their characters with themselves and don't want to be weak or infirm or unlikable." By George, we think he's got it.

06-09-2005, 11:46 AM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	This reminds me of when they had Joey, on Days Of Our Lives fall down the elevator shaft. Maybe James has been taking liberty with the scripts and telling the press he punches up the lines himself!! I wouldn't put it past the writers to have him meet the same fate!! (Actually I stopped watching Six Feet Under last season.....just not enough interesting going on to hold my attention. Maybe the writers felt the same thing and that's why James is going to the funny farm).
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

06-21-2005, 11:36 PM	#5
TVQuack Watching Ed! Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 22, 2004 Location: Rexford, NY Posts: 461	I liked George's character before his electroshock sessions. It's gonna be weird to see how he's gonna do the rest of this final season.
	__________________ Bite my shiny metal ass! -- Bender TV DVD's....it's a way of life.

06-13-2005, 11:41 AM	#3
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	To be honest I never liked the character of George, but I have to agree with Cromwell, I thought that they were headed in one direction with this guy, but they went into another. I think they could have explained a lot more about him, but since this is the last season I think they needed to rush a story for him and this is what happened. I also think a lot of last season was really sloppy writing, and then it picked up at the end. I you want to see how writers treat actors you should watch "The Comeback" on HBO. Really great show.

06-13-2005, 12:00 PM	#4
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	Yeah - Janice was saying that The Comeback is good. I'm going to tune it in for sure.