Sol Saks' "Funny Business" book - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Arfies · 10-18-2021, 08:52 PM

There's a whole chapter in Sol Saks' book "Funny Business" (you can buy it, borrow it from a library, or from here) about comedy writing, which includes fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits about the writing of the pilot script (plus asides, anecdotes, and scenes that didn't make it into the pilot episode), the "prospectus" of "Bewitched" (a write-up presented to sponsors to help sell the series, showing how it will be relatable to audiences and that there would be enough plot ideas to sustain years of episodes- including characters and plotlines dropped later).

I've read the original pilot script before from bewitched.net where Samantha is named Cassandra (Sol says he doesn't know why it changed; it's because Elizabeth didn't like the name). I've seen the interviews with William Asher where he said he rewrote it to make it less "witchy" (no more cauldrons and other witchy things, and that Sol absolutely HATED the rewrite, refusing to be involved with the show after that yet still demanding full creator credit, which Asher agreed to- the royalties made plenty of money for Saks). Sol says he had a reputation of being a "sensitive" screenwriter which he says isn't a good thing in the business- as Harry Ackerman apologized for either Asher's or Danny Arnold's rewrite about adding the scene where Sheila comes to Darrin's office to invite him to dinner in order to flesh out her character. Sol says he found this scene unnecessary because Darrin tells Samantha about the dinner over the phone).

I also recognized the cut dialogue from the script that still appears in the 1964 ABC promo for the show, such as bits between Samantha, Endora, and Darrin in the bridal suite, and Samantha failing miserably in the kitchen (semi-used in episode 2).

But there are things even in this version of the pilot script that were new to me, namely the neighbor ladies and sons scene with Endora that ended up in "Mother Meets What's-His-Name" (solely credited to Danny Arnold although it appears Sol Saks wrote that scene. Gladys' lines about the boys being tied up were originally June's, as Gladys didn't exist as a character). I'm glad it was split off, though, because that way it allows the Stephens to buy a house, meet the neighbors, etc. with more time.

Some things:

- The scene with Darrin nudging Samantha upstairs at the end while she cleans the kitchen, Sol says, wasn't understood in Denmark, because unlike American husbands at the time, Danish husbands actually helped their wives in the kitchen.

- Much of Sheila's dialogue wasn't in the original script.

- Sol explains that he couldn't figure out how the series could work if Samantha could solve anything with witchcraft, so that's where "I can only do little things" in the pilot came from, but also Darrin's objection to witchcraft- that way Samantha could use her powers only when absolutely necessary.

- If Samantha didn't use her powers enough, she would eventually become mortal, which she wanted. I've heard this was the original idea before from Sol Saks and Danny Arnold, but Harry Ackerman objected, because then there would be no show.

Dropped ideas from the prospectus:

- Darrin was to have a younger teenage sister who "digs Liz" (Montgomery)
- Darrin was also to have an older sister who taught Cass how to fit into Connecticut society
- a "superstitious client's wife who believes in astrology, witchcraft, and fortune telling, forcing Liz to take the opposite side"
- a costume ball where you can't tell the witches from the mortals
- Sam magically gets a spot out of the rug and a client wants to market the spot remover
- a neighbor child who repeats a genuine incantation and summons an angry witch
- Samantha's father was supposed to be a "sweet, absent-minded, confused witch" (pumpkins on the 4th of July) and afraid of meeting people in broad daylight. Sol explains the casting of Maurice Evans changed the character completely, and this character was more like the later Uncle Arthur- but I'd argue it was more like Aunt Clara).
- Darrin's friend Dave was supposed to become a running character, but his role became more of Larry's

A funny bit from the prospectus:

"They [the Stephens] have, added to the usual adjustments every young couple must make, one unusual one- she is a witch. No, that is not a typographical error, it's spelled with a w.

Well! You can imagine the problems that causes. Or perhaps you can't. But that doesn't matter, because we have imaginative writers who can."

Arfies · 11-13-2021, 01:29 AM

It appears Sol Saks didn't write much after "Bewitched." Or compared to the output of other BW writers, didn't write much before it, either. However, considering the royalties, he'd never have to work again!

tcr1701 · 12-02-2021, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arfies

It appears Sol Saks didn't write much after "Bewitched." Or compared to the output of other BW writers, didn't write much before it, either. However, considering the royalties, he'd never have to work again!

Asher said something about Sol Saks hating the changes Asher made to the original concept and wanted nothing to do with the show after that. But Asher gave him producing credit in order to keep him happy (as the actual show creator).

I like the line where Samantha clearly lying (so as not to scare her new husband) said "I can only do little things" - which explains York's (as Darrin) marvelously acted reaction to Samantha changing a client into a dog several episodes later.

Sidney Sheldon must have read Sak's original concept as Jeannie as written in an early episode would become a mortal if she married a human and that's all she really wanted.

10-18-2021, 08:52 PM	#1
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	Sol Saks' "Funny Business" book There's a whole chapter in Sol Saks' book "Funny Business" (you can buy it, borrow it from a library, or from here) about comedy writing, which includes fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits about the writing of the pilot script (plus asides, anecdotes, and scenes that didn't make it into the pilot episode), the "prospectus" of "Bewitched" (a write-up presented to sponsors to help sell the series, showing how it will be relatable to audiences and that there would be enough plot ideas to sustain years of episodes- including characters and plotlines dropped later). I've read the original pilot script before from bewitched.net where Samantha is named Cassandra (Sol says he doesn't know why it changed; it's because Elizabeth didn't like the name). I've seen the interviews with William Asher where he said he rewrote it to make it less "witchy" (no more cauldrons and other witchy things, and that Sol absolutely HATED the rewrite, refusing to be involved with the show after that yet still demanding full creator credit, which Asher agreed to- the royalties made plenty of money for Saks). Sol says he had a reputation of being a "sensitive" screenwriter which he says isn't a good thing in the business- as Harry Ackerman apologized for either Asher's or Danny Arnold's rewrite about adding the scene where Sheila comes to Darrin's office to invite him to dinner in order to flesh out her character. Sol says he found this scene unnecessary because Darrin tells Samantha about the dinner over the phone). I also recognized the cut dialogue from the script that still appears in the 1964 ABC promo for the show, such as bits between Samantha, Endora, and Darrin in the bridal suite, and Samantha failing miserably in the kitchen (semi-used in episode 2). But there are things even in this version of the pilot script that were new to me, namely the neighbor ladies and sons scene with Endora that ended up in "Mother Meets What's-His-Name" (solely credited to Danny Arnold although it appears Sol Saks wrote that scene. Gladys' lines about the boys being tied up were originally June's, as Gladys didn't exist as a character). I'm glad it was split off, though, because that way it allows the Stephens to buy a house, meet the neighbors, etc. with more time. Some things: - The scene with Darrin nudging Samantha upstairs at the end while she cleans the kitchen, Sol says, wasn't understood in Denmark, because unlike American husbands at the time, Danish husbands actually helped their wives in the kitchen. - Much of Sheila's dialogue wasn't in the original script. - Sol explains that he couldn't figure out how the series could work if Samantha could solve anything with witchcraft, so that's where "I can only do little things" in the pilot came from, but also Darrin's objection to witchcraft- that way Samantha could use her powers only when absolutely necessary. - If Samantha didn't use her powers enough, she would eventually become mortal, which she wanted. I've heard this was the original idea before from Sol Saks and Danny Arnold, but Harry Ackerman objected, because then there would be no show. Dropped ideas from the prospectus: - Darrin was to have a younger teenage sister who "digs Liz" (Montgomery) - Darrin was also to have an older sister who taught Cass how to fit into Connecticut society - a "superstitious client's wife who believes in astrology, witchcraft, and fortune telling, forcing Liz to take the opposite side" - a costume ball where you can't tell the witches from the mortals - Sam magically gets a spot out of the rug and a client wants to market the spot remover - a neighbor child who repeats a genuine incantation and summons an angry witch - Samantha's father was supposed to be a "sweet, absent-minded, confused witch" (pumpkins on the 4th of July) and afraid of meeting people in broad daylight. Sol explains the casting of Maurice Evans changed the character completely, and this character was more like the later Uncle Arthur- but I'd argue it was more like Aunt Clara). - Darrin's friend Dave was supposed to become a running character, but his role became more of Larry's A funny bit from the prospectus: "They [the Stephens] have, added to the usual adjustments every young couple must make, one unusual one- she is a witch. No, that is not a typographical error, it's spelled with a w. Well! You can imagine the problems that causes. Or perhaps you can't. But that doesn't matter, because we have imaginative writers who can."

11-13-2021, 01:29 AM	#2
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	It appears Sol Saks didn't write much after "Bewitched." Or compared to the output of other BW writers, didn't write much before it, either. However, considering the royalties, he'd never have to work again!