The Actor Vs the Writer - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

slackermonkey · 10-28-2004, 09:16 PM

The best thing is when an actor's physical appearance or certain quirks get implemented into the character. It helps flesh the character out even more.

For example, on "Will & Grace," Jack always puts down Will's appearance compared to his. But Eric McCormack, who plays Will, is obviously better-looking than Sean Hayes, who plays Jack. In casting Sean Hayes, we get a narcissist who isn't even that attractive. It makes him a little more interesting than simply the pretty boy always dissing the average-looking guys.

Chambers · 10-28-2004, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slackermonkey
The best thing is when an actor's physical appearance or certain quirks get implemented into the character. It helps flesh the character out even more.

For example, on "Will & Grace," Jack always puts down Will's appearance compared to his. But Eric McCormack, who plays Will, is obviously better-looking than Sean Hayes, who plays Jack. In casting Sean Hayes, we get a narcissist who isn't even that attractive. It makes him a little more interesting than simply the pretty boy always dissing the average-looking guys.

Good point. That's pretty much what happens with Diane and Carla only on a more obvious level of irony.

barwars · 10-28-2004, 09:35 PM

George Wendt gained 75 pounds each season to play Norm. (some seasons you can see him weighing relatively less)

He would then work it off.
He's gotten even bigger in recent years, I wonder if he could still work it off.

And Wendt had a professional trainer, and had to follow a strict diet to gain that much weight. Although being overweight is unhealthy, I supposse this was done as healthful (wrong term, I know) as possible.

Chambers · 10-28-2004, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars
George Wendt gained 75 pounds each season to play Norm. (some seasons you can see him weighing relatively less)

He would then work it off.
He's gotten even bigger in recent years, I wonder if he could still work it off.

And Wendt had a professional trainer, and had to follow a strict diet to gain that much weight. Although being overweight is unhealthy, I supposse this was done as healthful (wrong term, I know) as possible.

I guess as long as he remained fit he was ok (kinda like those huge football players). But, yes, that was impressive.

slackermonkey · 10-28-2004, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars
George Wendt gained 75 pounds each season to play Norm. (some seasons you can see him weighing relatively less)

He would then work it off.
He's gotten even bigger in recent years, I wonder if he could still work it off.

And Wendt had a professional trainer, and had to follow a strict diet to gain that much weight. Although being overweight is unhealthy, I supposse this was done as healthful (wrong term, I know) as possible.

Damn... that's impressive.

DianeChambers87 · 11-01-2004, 04:41 PM

Quite Frankly, with the exception of Cliff, I really don't think the actors had anything to do with the writing of their characters. I mean, in several interviews (including season 2 DVD) Ted Danson has said that he isn't as outgoing as Sam Malone, and Shelley Long hinted that the character of Diane was a challenge for her. Not the comedic dimensions of her (long being a Comedy veteran), but she mentions that her vocabulary certainly expanded while on Cheers. Rhea Pearlman seems like the sweetest person in the world in every interview I've seen with her. George Wendt may be the only one that is really like their character, or at least admits it.

barwars · 11-01-2004, 04:52 PM

George is Norm.
Norm is George.
There is no difference.

Other than that, I agree with Maria (DianeChambers87 for the "newer" people, but thats way too damn long to type out, as I sit here wasting my time explaining it)

Kelsey Grammer is the most laid back person in the world, polar opposite of Frasier.

BUT.... Rebecca was a bitch, and Kirstie is a bitch.... so I guess its two out of ten.

DianeChambers87 · 11-01-2004, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars
George is Norm.
Norm is George.
There is no difference.

Other than that, I agree with Maria (DianeChambers87 for the "newer" people, but thats way too damn long to type out, as I sit here wasting my time explaining it)

Kelsey Grammer is the most laid back person in the world, polar opposite of Frasier.

BUT.... Rebecca was a bitch, and Kirstie is a bitch.... so I guess its two out of ten.

Yea for Kelsey, Don't be so hard on Kirstie! lol

Another one is Bebe, she's a freakin' broadway performer! I would say the Antithesis of Lilith

barwars · 11-01-2004, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianeChambers87
Don't be so hard on Kirstie! lol

There's no going back now.
At least last year at this time.... she still had a last minute oppurtunity to go on Frasier, but nope.... now Kirstie Alley is nothing to me.

slackermonkey · 11-01-2004, 08:57 PM

It's against her religion to support psychiatry -- in this case, a TV show where the star is a psychiatrist.

At least she had a reason instead of just being stubborn about it, in which case, yeah, she'd probably be a bitch.

10-28-2004, 09:16 PM	#16
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	The best thing is when an actor's physical appearance or certain quirks get implemented into the character. It helps flesh the character out even more. For example, on "Will & Grace," Jack always puts down Will's appearance compared to his. But Eric McCormack, who plays Will, is obviously better-looking than Sean Hayes, who plays Jack. In casting Sean Hayes, we get a narcissist who isn't even that attractive. It makes him a little more interesting than simply the pretty boy always dissing the average-looking guys.
	__________________ ...Derek TV on DVD Checklist: 05/09 - Scrubs: The Complete Third Season 05/30 - Joey: The Complete First Season 06/13 - Cheers: The Complete Eighth Season 06/13 - Frasier: The Complete Eighth Season 06/20 - Justice League: Season 2 07/25 - Animaniacs: Volume 1 10/?? - Scrubs: The Complete Fourth Season 12/06 - Animaniacs: Volume 2

11-01-2004, 04:41 PM	#21
DianeChambers87 Elizabeth B. Malone Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 16, 2003 Location: Swampland USA Posts: 5,178	Quite Frankly, with the exception of Cliff, I really don't think the actors had anything to do with the writing of their characters. I mean, in several interviews (including season 2 DVD) Ted Danson has said that he isn't as outgoing as Sam Malone, and Shelley Long hinted that the character of Diane was a challenge for her. Not the comedic dimensions of her (long being a Comedy veteran), but she mentions that her vocabulary certainly expanded while on Cheers. Rhea Pearlman seems like the sweetest person in the world in every interview I've seen with her. George Wendt may be the only one that is really like their character, or at least admits it.
	__________________ Strange Fascinations, Fascinating me

10-28-2004, 09:35 PM	#18
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	George Wendt gained 75 pounds each season to play Norm. (some seasons you can see him weighing relatively less) He would then work it off. He's gotten even bigger in recent years, I wonder if he could still work it off. And Wendt had a professional trainer, and had to follow a strict diet to gain that much weight. Although being overweight is unhealthy, I supposse this was done as healthful (wrong term, I know) as possible.

11-01-2004, 04:52 PM	#22
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	George is Norm. Norm is George. There is no difference. Other than that, I agree with Maria (DianeChambers87 for the "newer" people, but thats way too damn long to type out, as I sit here wasting my time explaining it) Kelsey Grammer is the most laid back person in the world, polar opposite of Frasier. BUT.... Rebecca was a bitch, and Kirstie is a bitch.... so I guess its two out of ten.

11-01-2004, 08:57 PM	#25
slackermonkey the big yellow joint Senior Member Join Date: Oct 05, 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,779	It's against her religion to support psychiatry -- in this case, a TV show where the star is a psychiatrist. At least she had a reason instead of just being stubborn about it, in which case, yeah, she'd probably be a bitch.