I heard that....... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Faceless16 · 04-12-2004, 04:07 PM

The original role of Lamont Sanford was supposed to be played by Richard Pryor. The two do kind of look alike huh? My goodness what a duo that would have been, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx.

glenny · 04-13-2004, 09:51 AM

Orignally the shows characters were to be white, just like the original show S&S came from; Steptoe and Son. Supposidly, Paul Sorvino was to play the Lamont role and i forget who was to play Fred.

marvin g · 04-13-2004, 08:20 PM

Richard Pryor wouldn't have worked IMO. Redd and Richard are both too unpredictable to maintain a sitcom.

Faceless16 · 04-14-2004, 10:35 PM

Does anyone know why Richard Pryor didnt get that part? Anyone know the reasons specifically?

FredFan55 · 04-15-2004, 11:06 AM

The Richard Pryor as a cast member has been explored on some S&S board or another, don't recall which or when.

Richard Pryor was the scriptwriter of a few episodes, though, maybe 2 or 3, possibly 4. There again, I've seen a rundown of the principal writers of all eposides, but don't know where I found that and didn't mark it.

FredFan55

double-t · 04-15-2004, 01:11 PM

Well, that is news to me!

Because , I thought I had read somewhere that Cleavon Little was supposed to get the role of Lamont but didn't due to other responsibilities.

oh well!

magellan333 · 04-15-2004, 02:17 PM

I think we fans of S&S would have heard that before if it were true.

FredFan55 · 04-15-2004, 03:28 PM

Take a look at the summaries of writers for the episodes. Richard Pryor is in there, no doubt.

Paul Sorvino was to be cast in the all white pilot, too, that's a fact. The networks didn't want it, so it was re-cast as an all black show, and ultimately, Redd Foxx was cast, and NBC took it.

What is it that you do not believe?

FredFan55

magellan333 · 04-18-2004, 10:39 PM

I don't believe Richard Pryor was ever offered the role of Lamont. I have heard that Cleavon Little was considered, but I have never heard about Richard Pryor being considered.

FredFan55 · 04-19-2004, 03:24 PM

.....because Richard Pryor was definitely listed as a writer on some episodes. Listings here or elsewhere show that.

I recall reading about Cleavon Little being considered, too, but have no idea where I read it.

FredFan55

04-12-2004, 04:07 PM	#1
Faceless16 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 12, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 7	I heard that....... The original role of Lamont Sanford was supposed to be played by Richard Pryor. The two do kind of look alike huh? My goodness what a duo that would have been, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx.

04-13-2004, 09:51 AM	#2
glenny Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 21, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 951	Another interesting fact. Orignally the shows characters were to be white, just like the original show S&S came from; Steptoe and Son. Supposidly, Paul Sorvino was to play the Lamont role and i forget who was to play Fred.

04-15-2004, 11:06 AM	#5
FredFan55 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 48	Richard Pryor The Richard Pryor as a cast member has been explored on some S&S board or another, don't recall which or when. Richard Pryor was the scriptwriter of a few episodes, though, maybe 2 or 3, possibly 4. There again, I've seen a rundown of the principal writers of all eposides, but don't know where I found that and didn't mark it. FredFan55
	__________________ Hey Negro, bring me some more of that Shangri-La, and hold the garbage.....

04-15-2004, 01:11 PM	#6
double-t Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 29, 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 48	Well, that is news to me! Because , I thought I had read somewhere that Cleavon Little was supposed to get the role of Lamont but didn't due to other responsibilities. oh well!
	__________________ Cousin Emma: Oh, you just wait and see the big breakfast I'm gonna fix you in the morning.

04-15-2004, 02:17 PM	#7
magellan333 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 26, 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 822	Don't think it is true I think we fans of S&S would have heard that before if it were true.

04-13-2004, 08:20 PM	#3
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	Richard Pryor wouldn't have worked IMO. Redd and Richard are both too unpredictable to maintain a sitcom.

04-14-2004, 10:35 PM	#4
Faceless16 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 12, 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 7	Does anyone know why Richard Pryor didnt get that part? Anyone know the reasons specifically?

04-15-2004, 03:28 PM	#8
FredFan55 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 48	That what was true? Take a look at the summaries of writers for the episodes. Richard Pryor is in there, no doubt. Paul Sorvino was to be cast in the all white pilot, too, that's a fact. The networks didn't want it, so it was re-cast as an all black show, and ultimately, Redd Foxx was cast, and NBC took it. What is it that you do not believe? FredFan55

04-18-2004, 10:39 PM	#9
magellan333 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 26, 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 822	I don't believe Richard Pryor was ever offered the role of Lamont. I have heard that Cleavon Little was considered, but I have never heard about Richard Pryor being considered.

04-19-2004, 03:24 PM	#10
FredFan55 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 48	OK, I wondered about the writer deal .....because Richard Pryor was definitely listed as a writer on some episodes. Listings here or elsewhere show that. I recall reading about Cleavon Little being considered, too, but have no idea where I read it. FredFan55