Which character did you prefer? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Peppermint Patty · 09-23-2016, 03:28 PM

I much preferred Sebastian Cabot because he seemed to have a much warmer side to him as Mr. French than John Williams. Williams just seems way too straight laced. Even though Cabot was very proper he was down to earth and seemed to relate on the kids level many times.

ToeKnee · 12-20-2016, 11:35 PM

John Williams only portrayed Niles French in 9 episodes so I hardly think it is is even fair to compare him and Sebastian Cabot who played Giles French in 130 episodes. Both actors were great character actors, but regular viewers of the show grew to love Sebastian I suppose.

icecream · 12-21-2016, 07:59 PM

Until I saw this thread I had assumed Sebastian Cabot played Mr. French in every episode. I didn't know he had needed a replacement.

ToeKnee · 12-21-2016, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

Until I saw this thread I had assumed Sebastian Cabot played Mr. French in every episode. I didn't know he had needed a replacement.

Well it wasn't the same character that John Williams was playing. He was playing Niles French and Sebastian Cabot was Giles French. It was written I believe that Cabot's character had to go back to England for a short time.

Nurse Sully · 01-17-2017, 10:25 PM

Mr. French is Sebastian Cabot to me. He was wonderful and very memorable in the role as Giles French. John Williams may have been a great actor but because he was short lived as the other Mr. French(Brother I think)I don't remember him much at all in the role.

Schmoopie · 04-21-2020, 02:20 PM

So this thread is kind of confusing to me. I watched a couple of episodes this morning and was surprised to see John Williams playing Mr. French. But when I googled it, I saw that he was playing a Mr. French with a different first name. I couldn't figure out what was going on b/c just last week I saw episodes with Sabastian Cabot ("The Thursday Man" in particular). I'm pretty sure that that particular episode was from the first season, but so were the eps I watched today with John Williams.

Can anyone UN-confuse me???

Schmoopie · 04-21-2020, 02:33 PM

I answered my own question. I found this from Wikipedia.

When Sebastian Cabot became ill, Giles's brother, Nigel"]When Sebastian Cabot became ill, Giles's brother, Nigel "Niles" French (John Williams) was introduced. He worked for the Davis family for nine episodes in 1967, while Giles was said to be touring with the Queen in the Commonwealth countries. In the final season, Bill hired a part-time housekeeper, Emily Turner (Nancy Walker), to assist Mr. French

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Affair

12-20-2016, 11:35 PM	#17
ToeKnee Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 20, 2016 Location: In a Black & White TV Town Posts: 40	John Williams only portrayed Niles French in 9 episodes so I hardly think it is is even fair to compare him and Sebastian Cabot who played Giles French in 130 episodes. Both actors were great character actors, but regular viewers of the show grew to love Sebastian I suppose.
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12-21-2016, 07:59 PM	#18
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,608	Until I saw this thread I had assumed Sebastian Cabot played Mr. French in every episode. I didn't know he had needed a replacement.
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01-17-2017, 10:25 PM	#20
Nurse Sully Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 17, 2017 Location: Falls Church, VA. Posts: 57	Mr. French is Sebastian Cabot to me. He was wonderful and very memorable in the role as Giles French. John Williams may have been a great actor but because he was short lived as the other Mr. French(Brother I think)I don't remember him much at all in the role.
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04-21-2020, 02:20 PM	#21
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	So this thread is kind of confusing to me. I watched a couple of episodes this morning and was surprised to see John Williams playing Mr. French. But when I googled it, I saw that he was playing a Mr. French with a different first name. I couldn't figure out what was going on b/c just last week I saw episodes with Sabastian Cabot ("The Thursday Man" in particular). I'm pretty sure that that particular episode was from the first season, but so were the eps I watched today with John Williams. Can anyone UN-confuse me???
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09-23-2016, 03:28 PM	#16
Peppermint Patty Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 23, 2016 Location: TV Land Posts: 53	I much preferred Sebastian Cabot because he seemed to have a much warmer side to him as Mr. French than John Williams. Williams just seems way too straight laced. Even though Cabot was very proper he was down to earth and seemed to relate on the kids level many times.

04-21-2020, 02:33 PM	#22
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I answered my own question. I found this from Wikipedia. When Sebastian Cabot became ill, Giles's brother, Nigel"]When Sebastian Cabot became ill, Giles's brother, Nigel "Niles" French (John Williams) was introduced. He worked for the Davis family for nine episodes in 1967, while Giles was said to be touring with the Queen in the Commonwealth countries. In the final season, Bill hired a part-time housekeeper, Emily Turner (Nancy Walker), to assist Mr. French https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Affair