Could Freddie have carried the show on his own? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Heidelberg · 06-01-2006, 10:26 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm a long time reader who felt like jumping in and throwing out a 'what if' question. Knowing that Jack Albertson left us only a few years after Freddie do you think CATM could have survived if it was Jack who died first? Personally as much as I love Freddie I don't think that the show could have made it without their chemistry.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts

Danisel331 · 06-02-2006, 04:00 AM

Hello there

Could the show have survived if 'The Man' had left first?
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Well, No, I think I would have to agree with you. The show was never the same without Freddie and it would have been just as awkward without Jack, if not more so. I also feel like Freddie wouldn't have wanted to continue the show had Jack passed away first. He probably would have went on to the next project.

hue_mee · 06-02-2006, 04:45 AM

I agree. I think the show wouldn't have been the same if Jack Albertson passed away before Freddie did. There chemistry was one of a kind. I believe Freddie would wanted to find a way to find the show respectfully in Jack's honor and go on to other projects

Prince · 06-02-2006, 10:11 PM

I would have to agree with Dani and Suz. I can't picture Freddie even wanting to go on alone. He would have been like Jack...who had to carry on completely heartbroken..but probably under contract. I have never watched the 4th season of CATM because without Freddie the show was never the same...but I have heard that the viewers could tell that Jack's heart just wasn't in it anymore. The chemistry was gone...and Jack had lost someone that was as close to him as a son...it had to be tough. So, I agree that as talented as Freddie was..he would have probably went on to make movies or pursue a singing career or something in the music field he loved so much and of course continued on with his stand up routine or a completely different show. BTW thanks for asking such a great question...welcome to the boards...we love hearing from new people...join us anytime.

tv star collector · 06-03-2006, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heidelberg

Hello everyone,

I'm a long time reader who felt like jumping in and throwing out a 'what if' question. Knowing that Jack Albertson left us only a few years after Freddie do you think CATM could have survived if it was Jack who died first? Personally as much as I love Freddie I don't think that the show could have made it without their chemistry.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts

Not CHICO & THE MAN. But Freddie would have been perfect as the host of a
comedy-variety show, like Flip Wilson had just finished doing (1970-1974).

TVFactFan · 06-03-2006, 12:04 PM

Yes I think he could have carried it without Jack because Jack's character was boring. He was the only CRANKY TV Character who wasn't funny

Cheryl Harrell · 06-04-2006, 03:48 AM

Welcome! This is a fun place to hang out & oogle over Freddie. I think he woyuld've bee devastate if Jack had passes & wouldn't not have wanted to carry on the show. He would've been great with his own sitcom however...

mstewart · 06-04-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Yes I think he could have carried it without Jack because Jack's character was boring. He was the only CRANKY TV Character who wasn't funny

I think Freddie could not have carried the show without Jack Albertson. Their chemistry and timing together was great. Jack Albertson was underrated as an actor. He was a great actor and was quite good in the role of Ed Brown. The show was running out of steam fast before Freddie passed away. Jack was a good straight man for Freddie. Here is an example of a show that could not carry on without its star. Petticoat Junction after Bea Benaderet passed away. Edgar Buchanan could not carry the show without her because Kate Bradley was a good straight man to Uncle Joe's get rich schemes antic and his laziness. Edgar was a good comic actor but the character of Uncle Joe was a supporting player not a lead character.

Luckymama58 · 06-04-2006, 09:16 AM

I think Freddie had enough love and respect for Jack to tell the networks that they should not try to replace him.

I have always held the belief that Freddie would have shined in late night, if not taking Johnny's place on the Tonight Show (which Freddie's friend Jay got) then on his own show. I believe it would have been a combination of not only interviews, but some skit comedy, sorta what Johnny used to do more of when he was younger on the Tonight Show. The few times Freddie filled in for Johnny as guest host showed a lot of promise for Freddie in this arena.

Freddie also made no bones about wanting to do more movies.... he wasn't happy with the Million Dollar Rip off and knew he could find better scripts.... but I think the show might have been keeping that from happening fast enough for Freddie. We all know how hard it is for TV actors to break free of their roles on their shows. And if we all know one thing about Freddie, he sure wanted everything in his life fast! LOL I sometimes wonder if he wasn't more suited for this current generation in that regards than his own...

Heidelberg · 06-04-2006, 10:46 AM

I thought of the question after watching season 3. It seems that Freddie scenes with Della weren't as much fun as his scenes with Jack. Nothing against Della but the best episodes were when it was just Jack, Freddie, and Scatman. I was too young to see him on late night but I could see him doing a successful morning show right now.

TVFactFan · 06-04-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

I think Freddie could not have carried the show without Jack Albertson. Their chemistry and timing together was great. Jack Albertson was underrated as an actor. He was a great actor and was quite good in the role of Ed Brown. The show was running out of steam fast before Freddie passed away. Jack was a good straight man for Freddie. Here is an example of a show that could not carry on without its star. Petticoat Junction after Bea Benaderet passed away. Edgar Buchanan could not carry the show without her because Kate Bradley was a good straight man to Uncle Joe's get rich schemes antic and his laziness. Edgar was a good comic actor but the character of Uncle Joe was a supporting player not a lead character.

ED was unlikable because most straight men are PLEASANT. If you are Grouchy you are supposed to be funny and Ed was not funny ike the Grouchy TV characters below

Archie Bunker
George Jefferson
Stanley Roper

Brian Damage · 06-04-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

ED was unlikable because most straight men are PLEASANT. If you are Grouchy you are supposed to be funny and Ed was not funny ike the Grouchy TV characters below

Archie Bunker
George Jefferson
Stanley Roper

I would have to agree with that statement.

Prince · 06-05-2006, 09:00 PM

I loved Jack Albertson and I thought he was very funny. And then pair him with Freddie Prinze...it's a win win all the way around.

Joy · 06-14-2006, 11:06 PM

i don't think it would have gone on if Jack had passed first because the two just worked so well together, and i really believe that they were more like a family they were so close

06-01-2006, 10:26 PM	#1
Heidelberg Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 01, 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 39	Could Freddie have carried the show on his own? Hello everyone, I'm a long time reader who felt like jumping in and throwing out a 'what if' question. Knowing that Jack Albertson left us only a few years after Freddie do you think CATM could have survived if it was Jack who died first? Personally as much as I love Freddie I don't think that the show could have made it without their chemistry. Can't wait to hear your thoughts

06-02-2006, 04:00 AM	#2
Danisel331 Kisses for my fans! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 11, 2002 Posts: 1,475	Hello there Could the show have survived if 'The Man' had left first? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Well, No, I think I would have to agree with you. The show was never the same without Freddie and it would have been just as awkward without Jack, if not more so. I also feel like Freddie wouldn't have wanted to continue the show had Jack passed away first. He probably would have went on to the next project.
	__________________ Please Drop by! Wallpapers By Dani RIP Kelsi Ilyssa You gave us Heaven on Earth for a week

06-02-2006, 04:45 AM	#3
hue_mee Remembering Freddie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 28, 2001 Location: Grateful for a voice from our angel's friend Posts: 2,266	I agree. I think the show wouldn't have been the same if Jack Albertson passed away before Freddie did. There chemistry was one of a kind. I believe Freddie would wanted to find a way to find the show respectfully in Jack's honor and go on to other projects
	__________________ Freddie Prinze Sr Thank you David Brenner! "...and when he shall die, take him and cut him into little stars, and he shall make the face of heaven so fine that all the earth will be in love with night..."

06-02-2006, 10:11 PM	#4
Prince Prince of Peace Senior Member Join Date: Jan 26, 2001 Posts: 1,137	Freddie solo I would have to agree with Dani and Suz. I can't picture Freddie even wanting to go on alone. He would have been like Jack...who had to carry on completely heartbroken..but probably under contract. I have never watched the 4th season of CATM because without Freddie the show was never the same...but I have heard that the viewers could tell that Jack's heart just wasn't in it anymore. The chemistry was gone...and Jack had lost someone that was as close to him as a son...it had to be tough. So, I agree that as talented as Freddie was..he would have probably went on to make movies or pursue a singing career or something in the music field he loved so much and of course continued on with his stand up routine or a completely different show. BTW thanks for asking such a great question...welcome to the boards...we love hearing from new people...join us anytime.
	__________________ A friend is faithful, trusting and helpful…someone that realizes your imperfections and stands by you--Freddie Prinze "Come here to me" --- Freddie Prinze "Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful...Beautiful Boy" When I watched Freddie Prinze perform...his future was so bright that it burned my eyes. Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly and Leave the rest to God. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

06-04-2006, 03:48 AM	#7
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	Welcome! This is a fun place to hang out & oogle over Freddie. I think he woyuld've bee devastate if Jack had passes & wouldn't not have wanted to carry on the show. He would've been great with his own sitcom however...
	__________________ RIP darling Mike. I love you forever... You are with Freddie Prinze & Jesus now. 1951-2009 "Make it your way, who can beat the Lord, the Son of God. Dear Lord, help me be strong where I am weak, if it be your will"-- The Late Freddie Prinze Sr

06-03-2006, 12:04 PM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,949	Yes I think he could have carried it without Jack because Jack's character was boring. He was the only CRANKY TV Character who wasn't funny

06-04-2006, 09:16 AM	#9
Luckymama58 Math Geeks Unite! Senior Member Join Date: Mar 18, 2001 Location: In my rock and roll fantasy Posts: 2,553	I think Freddie had enough love and respect for Jack to tell the networks that they should not try to replace him. I have always held the belief that Freddie would have shined in late night, if not taking Johnny's place on the Tonight Show (which Freddie's friend Jay got) then on his own show. I believe it would have been a combination of not only interviews, but some skit comedy, sorta what Johnny used to do more of when he was younger on the Tonight Show. The few times Freddie filled in for Johnny as guest host showed a lot of promise for Freddie in this arena. Freddie also made no bones about wanting to do more movies.... he wasn't happy with the Million Dollar Rip off and knew he could find better scripts.... but I think the show might have been keeping that from happening fast enough for Freddie. We all know how hard it is for TV actors to break free of their roles on their shows. And if we all know one thing about Freddie, he sure wanted everything in his life fast! LOL I sometimes wonder if he wasn't more suited for this current generation in that regards than his own...
	__________________ We All Use Math Every Day! Everything is Numb3rs! Capt. Jack: Drink up, me hardies, Yo Ho! I reject your reality and substitute my own!-Adam Savage, Mythbuster A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds... With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do. -Ralph Waldo Emerson RIP Freddie Prinze 1954-1977 You have your star now.

06-04-2006, 10:46 AM	#10
Heidelberg Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 01, 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 39	I thought of the question after watching season 3. It seems that Freddie scenes with Della weren't as much fun as his scenes with Jack. Nothing against Della but the best episodes were when it was just Jack, Freddie, and Scatman. I was too young to see him on late night but I could see him doing a successful morning show right now.

06-05-2006, 09:00 PM	#13
Prince Prince of Peace Senior Member Join Date: Jan 26, 2001 Posts: 1,137	CATM.. I loved Jack Albertson and I thought he was very funny. And then pair him with Freddie Prinze...it's a win win all the way around.

06-14-2006, 11:06 PM	#14
Joy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2001 Location: In Mn lovin my DVD and the Prinze of comedy!!! Posts: 3,247	i don't think it would have gone on if Jack had passed first because the two just worked so well together, and i really believe that they were more like a family they were so close
	__________________ <img src="http://www.quia.com/files/quia/users/crimscience/Avatars/angiesigbar.jpg">