I wish they would do a book - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Samme · 03-07-2004, 10:58 AM

I know there's been a couple
books on the show, but listening
to the commentaries by Dick Van
Dyke and Carl Reiner it's clear
plenty has been left unsaid. I
also think except for probably
Mary (who might be even prouder
of her own show) everyone else
considers this the highlight of
their careers. It's great to
hear any little comments they
make about anything, no matter
how small, on each show. And
Carl knows more than anyone in
the world about it. Why not do
an episode guide to the show
with unedited oral from anyone
in the cast about anything they
remember about each show. Carl
could pull all this together.
They're all getting older and
why not share it with people
who love the show. They could
all be listed as authors and
share in the profits. Carl has
put the time in on some other
books that truthfully have met
with mixed reviews and probably
not that big of sales. Why not
put out a book on something they
were all proud of and share that
info with us before it's all
gone forever. Us too. Wouldn't
people love if somewhere there
was a book by Laurel & Hardy
or other great comedy performers
about their work. All we get is
books about personal lives when
the reason we really love performers
is because of their work. I wish
Mr. Denoff or someone would bring
this up to Carl. It would be so
great to see. Share all their memories with fans, we're dying
to hear them. It would be time
well spent for us all.

Lolac · 03-07-2004, 04:44 PM

I love that idea. I, too, have truly enjoyed the commentaries and interviews on the dvds and I'm always left wanting more. I love your idea, Samme.

Lolac

SawgrassSteve · 03-07-2004, 07:41 PM

Samme,
I love the idea too, which is why I hate to be a spoil-sport, but...
1) If you listen to the commentaries by Dick, his memory is pretty poor, and he admits it repeatedly. That's the reason he's given for never having done an autobiography. He just can't remember enough to keep it meaningful and interesting.
2) You're right, Mary is more proud of TMTMS, and has been quoted all the way back to the hey day of TDVDS as saying she absolutely does not want to be remebered as Laura Petrie for the rest of her life. Trust me, I know. I collect memorabilia from the show. I have original 1960's TV Guide issues and other magazines with TDVDS cast interviews, and Mary making such statements. Haven't you noticed she's done no commentaries on the DVD's to date?
3) The books written over the years about the show, and especially the one by Vince Waldron, have a considerable amount of input from cast and production members, and I'm sure it was for the reason of finally compiling a concise, detailed, and comprehensive account of what it was really like creating the show and developing it's characters.
In short, I love your idea, but I think they'd basically see it as "Been there, done that."

Steve

Samme · 03-07-2004, 09:59 PM

Thanks, Lolac and Steve. I agree
with everything you've said.
Although I thought Mary not
adding more to the dvds might
have come down to money. Not
that she needs it, but just as
a matter of pride at not being
cut in. I think Carl and Dick
are actually much deeper friends
and still act upon that obligation
and caring for each other. (Although
I think they probably do still have
a cut in everything. Mary probably
still doesn't...but they're all
well off.) Carl could really do
a book by himself but most people
speak in a much more natural way
than when they write. That's why
I love oral biographies. Just so
much more natural to read. And
more than one person can add
their perspective and own thoughts.
And I know it does come down to
"been there and done that." But
I can't help it. It is getting
a little late in their careers
for any more big projects. And
this would be such a sweet one.
Dick really doesn't remember
anywhere near as much as Carl
but he's also just way too private
to ever write about his private
life. Imagine how he must have
loved sitting with Stan Laurel
and asking him questions. And
that's how we feel about him
and the others. Just hearing
that he came up with buttering
both sides of the bread in one
episode is such a fun thing to
hear. Anyway, I know it won't
happen but I just wanted to
share the thought with you all.
I know how much we all love the
show. Just a nice hope.

03-07-2004, 10:58 AM	#1
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 679	I wish they would do a book I know there's been a couple books on the show, but listening to the commentaries by Dick Van Dyke and Carl Reiner it's clear plenty has been left unsaid. I also think except for probably Mary (who might be even prouder of her own show) everyone else considers this the highlight of their careers. It's great to hear any little comments they make about anything, no matter how small, on each show. And Carl knows more than anyone in the world about it. Why not do an episode guide to the show with unedited oral from anyone in the cast about anything they remember about each show. Carl could pull all this together. They're all getting older and why not share it with people who love the show. They could all be listed as authors and share in the profits. Carl has put the time in on some other books that truthfully have met with mixed reviews and probably not that big of sales. Why not put out a book on something they were all proud of and share that info with us before it's all gone forever. Us too. Wouldn't people love if somewhere there was a book by Laurel & Hardy or other great comedy performers about their work. All we get is books about personal lives when the reason we really love performers is because of their work. I wish Mr. Denoff or someone would bring this up to Carl. It would be so great to see. Share all their memories with fans, we're dying to hear them. It would be time well spent for us all.

03-07-2004, 07:41 PM	#3
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Samme, I love the idea too, which is why I hate to be a spoil-sport, but... 1) If you listen to the commentaries by Dick, his memory is pretty poor, and he admits it repeatedly. That's the reason he's given for never having done an autobiography. He just can't remember enough to keep it meaningful and interesting. 2) You're right, Mary is more proud of TMTMS, and has been quoted all the way back to the hey day of TDVDS as saying she absolutely does not want to be remebered as Laura Petrie for the rest of her life. Trust me, I know. I collect memorabilia from the show. I have original 1960's TV Guide issues and other magazines with TDVDS cast interviews, and Mary making such statements. Haven't you noticed she's done no commentaries on the DVD's to date? 3) The books written over the years about the show, and especially the one by Vince Waldron, have a considerable amount of input from cast and production members, and I'm sure it was for the reason of finally compiling a concise, detailed, and comprehensive account of what it was really like creating the show and developing it's characters. In short, I love your idea, but I think they'd basically see it as "Been there, done that." Steve
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

03-07-2004, 04:44 PM	#2
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	I love that idea. I, too, have truly enjoyed the commentaries and interviews on the dvds and I'm always left wanting more. I love your idea, Samme. Lolac

03-07-2004, 09:59 PM	#4
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 679	Thanks, Lolac and Steve. I agree with everything you've said. Although I thought Mary not adding more to the dvds might have come down to money. Not that she needs it, but just as a matter of pride at not being cut in. I think Carl and Dick are actually much deeper friends and still act upon that obligation and caring for each other. (Although I think they probably do still have a cut in everything. Mary probably still doesn't...but they're all well off.) Carl could really do a book by himself but most people speak in a much more natural way than when they write. That's why I love oral biographies. Just so much more natural to read. And more than one person can add their perspective and own thoughts. And I know it does come down to "been there and done that." But I can't help it. It is getting a little late in their careers for any more big projects. And this would be such a sweet one. Dick really doesn't remember anywhere near as much as Carl but he's also just way too private to ever write about his private life. Imagine how he must have loved sitting with Stan Laurel and asking him questions. And that's how we feel about him and the others. Just hearing that he came up with buttering both sides of the bread in one episode is such a fun thing to hear. Anyway, I know it won't happen but I just wanted to share the thought with you all. I know how much we all love the show. Just a nice hope.