The Actor Vs the Writer - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Chambers · 10-27-2004, 07:16 PM

Some of the Cheers characters were wonderfully written and defined from the very beginning. Others were more of a product of the actor's input. Obviously the entire cast was great, but which actors had more impact in defining their characters? Can you see any other actors playing these characters?

I think the most obvious one is Cliff, since John came up with the idea himself. He truly was the one who breathed life into this character.

barwars · 10-27-2004, 09:09 PM

Sadly, Kirstie Alley's crying "ability" was the reason they made her character whine so much.

I also think George Wendt had a big part in making Norm a prominent character.
Look at early publicity shots, its just Sam, Diane, Coach and Carla.

The character of Norm was only supposed to have on line ("Beer") in the pilot.

From what I understand, the Carla character was custom made for Rhea Perlman.

I've read that the writers would deliberately give Kelsey Grammer bad lines, because he could still make them funny. So in that case its definately the actor.

The writers played a more important role in the characters of Sam, Diane, Coach, Woody, and Lilith.
Although they definately were needed for the other characters.

Chambers · 10-27-2004, 09:39 PM

Agree on all points.

Along the lines of Kirstie's whine, both Rhea and Shelley are responsible for their characters' signature laughs.

Brian Damage · 10-28-2004, 11:11 AM

Kelsey made Frasier what he is today. NOBODY could've pulled him off as good as he did.

barwars · 10-28-2004, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chambers
Along the lines of Kirstie's whine, both Rhea and Shelley are responsible for their characters' signature laughs.

I wonder if they naturally laugh like that.

tiff7 · 10-28-2004, 03:24 PM

Watch any movies w/Shelley & Rhea in them & then see if they laugh like that (the funny movies would work better for this) & then watch Cheers and see if their laughs compare to their characters on the show.

Tiff7

3 days til (~~)! (halloween)

Chambers · 10-28-2004, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars
I wonder if they naturally laugh like that.

I bet both Rhea and Shelley exaggerate it for the part.

But some people really do laugh like Diane (like...my mother...well, she isn't as bad, but it sounds very similar).

dlemond · 10-28-2004, 05:48 PM

In my opinion, Sam Malone is the best written part of the show.

Obviously it takes a talent to deliver the lines as well as Ted Danson did, but how can you dispute that fact that originally he is the most fleshed out character?

That is why it kills me when Rebecca comes along and all of a sudden Sam is a boob.

barwars · 10-28-2004, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
In my opinion, Sam Malone is the best written part of the show.

Obviously it takes a talent to deliver the lines as well as Ted Danson did, but how can you dispute that fact that originally he is the most fleshed out character?

That is why it kills me when Rebecca comes along and all of a sudden Sam is a boob.

I understand what you mean. (especially about him becoming a boob).... but I think Frasier was the best written part of the show. Followed by Diane and maybe Woody.

dlemond · 10-28-2004, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by barwars
I understand what you mean. (especially about him becoming a boob).... but I think Frasier was the best written part of the show. Followed by Diane and maybe Woody.

I did not mean to dismiss Frasier. Frasier is killer.

It's just me, but a show with Sam and Frasier would have been great. Just rewatch all their early scenes alone together.
Great stuff.

Moondance · 10-28-2004, 05:57 PM

Lilith was another well written character - I would imagine that she would be very hard to write for...

ChambersVsMalone · 10-28-2004, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
That is why it kills me when Rebecca comes along and all of a sudden Sam is a boob.

Ugh, I know, I hate that part of Sam.

I'm with you guys on Frasier, though! I often hear Kelsey deliver a line, and it makes me laugh so much, but the line isn't that funny, it's how he says it. (Which is why I'm sure that giving him bad lines to see if he could make them funny thing could be true!) An example that comes to mind is in Tan N Wash when Diane says, "Frasier? Sunburned?" and he says "No, Diane, I'm doing my impression of a blood blister." On any other show, with any other character, I probably wouldn't laugh, but I was DYING when I heard that.

Then, of course, Diane-- I could never picture anyone but Shelley playing her, she had her nailed from the beginning, IMO.

Chambers · 10-28-2004, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChambersVsMalone

Then, of course, Diane-- I could never picture anyone but Shelley playing her, she had her nailed from the beginning, IMO.

I agree. Even Shelley's unique physical look was essential in making Diane a great character. I mean her flatness was a must - and I can't imagine many blonde, good-looking actresses being comfortable with that.

barwars · 10-28-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
I did not mean to dismiss Frasier. Frasier is killer.

It's just me, but a show with Sam and Frasier would have been great. Just rewatch all their early scenes alone together.
Great stuff.

That's when I liked Sam best.... his scenes alone with Frasier.

ThirteenInchEscape · 10-28-2004, 08:22 PM

you know I never would have noticed her breast size if they hadnt made jokes about it on the show.

Oh...and it is kind of ironic that Carla makes fun of her about it, since Rhea Pearlman isnt exactly huge

10-27-2004, 07:16 PM	#1
Chambers The Crane Trinity Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2004 Location: Where everybody knows a Crane. Posts: 5,427	The Actor Vs the Writer Some of the Cheers characters were wonderfully written and defined from the very beginning. Others were more of a product of the actor's input. Obviously the entire cast was great, but which actors had more impact in defining their characters? Can you see any other actors playing these characters? I think the most obvious one is Cliff, since John came up with the idea himself. He truly was the one who breathed life into this character.
	__________________ Member of the "God, Lilith is so ing cool" Fan Club Where everybody knows your tossed salads and scrambled eggs. FREEDOM OF THOUGHT blank

10-28-2004, 08:22 PM	#15
ThirteenInchEscape Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 21, 2004 Location: Palouse, Washington Posts: 1,218	you know I never would have noticed her breast size if they hadnt made jokes about it on the show. Oh...and it is kind of ironic that Carla makes fun of her about it, since Rhea Pearlman isnt exactly huge
	__________________ *Member of the "God Lilith is so ing Cool" Fanclub* Freedom of Thought

10-27-2004, 09:09 PM	#2
barwars .. Forum Star Join Date: May 04, 2002 Posts: 13,273	Sadly, Kirstie Alley's crying "ability" was the reason they made her character whine so much. I also think George Wendt had a big part in making Norm a prominent character. Look at early publicity shots, its just Sam, Diane, Coach and Carla. The character of Norm was only supposed to have on line ("Beer") in the pilot. From what I understand, the Carla character was custom made for Rhea Perlman. I've read that the writers would deliberately give Kelsey Grammer bad lines, because he could still make them funny. So in that case its definately the actor. The writers played a more important role in the characters of Sam, Diane, Coach, Woody, and Lilith. Although they definately were needed for the other characters.

10-27-2004, 09:39 PM	#3
Chambers The Crane Trinity Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2004 Location: Where everybody knows a Crane. Posts: 5,427	Agree on all points. Along the lines of Kirstie's whine, both Rhea and Shelley are responsible for their characters' signature laughs.

10-28-2004, 11:11 AM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Kelsey made Frasier what he is today. NOBODY could've pulled him off as good as he did.

10-28-2004, 03:24 PM	#6
tiff7 wdwdisneylandnut4life Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2001 Location: Erie, IL Posts: 2,012	Watch any movies w/Shelley & Rhea in them & then see if they laugh like that (the funny movies would work better for this) & then watch Cheers and see if their laughs compare to their characters on the show. Tiff7 3 days til (~~)! (halloween)

10-28-2004, 05:48 PM	#8
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	In my opinion, Sam Malone is the best written part of the show. Obviously it takes a talent to deliver the lines as well as Ted Danson did, but how can you dispute that fact that originally he is the most fleshed out character? That is why it kills me when Rebecca comes along and all of a sudden Sam is a boob.

10-28-2004, 05:57 PM	#11
Moondance MCR Moderator Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Posts: 4,008	Lilith was another well written character - I would imagine that she would be very hard to write for...