Realistic Casting - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Madame X · 04-30-2007, 04:56 PM

On television it doesn't seem to matter too much if family members resemble each other; usually they don't.

Some of the best examples I've seen of realistic casting are:

Golden Girls: Nancy Walker as Sophia's sister (hilarious) and Lynnie Greene as young Dorothy

Roseanne: Michael Fishman looks like Roseanne and Ned Beatty could be Dan's dad

Little House on the Prairie: Charles Bloom as Almanzo's brother Perley Day

Frasier: David Hyde Pierce as Niles-perfect brother for Frasier

Everybody Loves Raymond: Jeffrey, Michael and Allie are siblings in real life

Adamantium · 04-30-2007, 05:03 PM

In an episode of "Too Close for Comfort," Robert Mandan (Chester Tate from "Soap") played Ted Knight's brother. They both remind me of each other and I thought it was very realistic casting.

catlover79 · 04-30-2007, 05:18 PM

Life Goes On: Patti LuPone and Kellie Martin certainly looked like mother and daughter, and even starred again as mother and daughter in a 1996 TV movie.

The Brady Bunch: Florence Henderson resembled the actresses playing her daughters and Robert Reed resembled the actors playing his sons. Good casting!

Bewitched: Elizabeth Montgomery and Erin Murphy also looked like they could really be mother and daughter. Erin, as an adult, still looks like Liz!

treky · 05-01-2007, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame X

On television it doesn't seem to matter too much if family members resemble each other; usually they don't.

Some of the best examples I've seen of realistic casting are:

Golden Girls: Nancy Walker as Sophia's sister (hilarious) and Lynnie Greene as young Dorothy

Roseanne: Michael Fishman looks like Roseanne and Ned Beatty could be Dan's dad

Little House on the Prairie: Charles Bloom as Almanzo's brother Perley Day

Frasier: David Hyde Pierce as Niles-perfect brother for Frasier

Everybody Loves Raymond: Jeffrey, Michael and Allie are siblings in real life

David Hyde Pierce was cast as Frasiers brother for his physical resemblance to Kelsey Grammar. Even Davids wife said how much they look alike during an episode of "Cheers" once; and she suggested that he ask to be in some episodes as Frasiers cousin or something.

treky · 05-01-2007, 02:33 AM

David Jansenn was PERFECT for the lead in "The Fugitive".

comedyfreak · 05-01-2007, 03:47 AM

I Love Lucy: Richard Keith was perfectly cast as Little Ricky, he resembled Desi Arnaz.

Dusty's Fan · 05-01-2007, 11:22 AM

Hope & Faith: Faith Ford and Kelly Ripa resemble each other enough to make them believable as sisters.

Ant-Lox · 05-01-2007, 12:38 PM

I agree, Frasier and Niles are very convincing brothers. Thats really the only comparison I can think of. Because sitcoms often do go all out with casting, some kids have blonde hair while both parents have brown hair, etc...

AB · 05-01-2007, 02:57 PM

Jenny favored Helen somewhat in looks on The Jeffersons.

OH Nuts! · 10-17-2007, 12:45 AM

Jean Stapleton was great as Marie Barrone's sister on Everybody Loves Raymond.

Nancy Walker is great as Rhoda Morgenstern.

catlover79 · 10-17-2007, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamantium

In an episode of "Too Close for Comfort," Robert Mandan (Chester Tate from "Soap") played Ted Knight's brother. They both remind me of each other and I thought it was very realistic casting.

Jack Cassidy played Ted's brother on an MTM episode. Good catch, as the two really did look and sound alike.

treky · 10-19-2007, 01:29 AM

Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan & Max Baer were all perfect as THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, and Raymond Bailey was perfectly cast as Milburn Drysdale.

Mikado · 10-19-2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Frasier: David Hyde Pierce as Niles-perfect brother for Frasier

Boy is THAT ever true!

Corner Gas: Janet Wright (Emma) looks SO much like star Brent Butt that she totally looks as if she was his real-life Mom.

Crystalball · 10-19-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant-Lox

I agree, Frasier and Niles are very convincing brothers. Thats really the only comparison I can think of. Because sitcoms often do go all out with casting, some kids have blonde hair while both parents have brown hair, etc...

I agree. They are PERFECT bothers.

tv star collector · 10-19-2007, 06:16 PM

I know that Vicki Lawrence was chosen to appear on THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW because of her uncanny resemblance to Carol Burnett.

04-30-2007, 04:56 PM	#1
Madame X Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,831	Realistic Casting On television it doesn't seem to matter too much if family members resemble each other; usually they don't. Some of the best examples I've seen of realistic casting are: Golden Girls: Nancy Walker as Sophia's sister (hilarious) and Lynnie Greene as young Dorothy Roseanne: Michael Fishman looks like Roseanne and Ned Beatty could be Dan's dad Little House on the Prairie: Charles Bloom as Almanzo's brother Perley Day Frasier: David Hyde Pierce as Niles-perfect brother for Frasier Everybody Loves Raymond: Jeffrey, Michael and Allie are siblings in real life

04-30-2007, 05:18 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Life Goes On: Patti LuPone and Kellie Martin certainly looked like mother and daughter, and even starred again as mother and daughter in a 1996 TV movie. The Brady Bunch: Florence Henderson resembled the actresses playing her daughters and Robert Reed resembled the actors playing his sons. Good casting! Bewitched: Elizabeth Montgomery and Erin Murphy also looked like they could really be mother and daughter. Erin, as an adult, still looks like Liz!
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05-01-2007, 03:47 AM	#6
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I Love Lucy: Richard Keith was perfectly cast as Little Ricky, he resembled Desi Arnaz.
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05-01-2007, 12:38 PM	#8
Ant-Lox Cloud Watcher Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2004 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,824	I agree, Frasier and Niles are very convincing brothers. Thats really the only comparison I can think of. Because sitcoms often do go all out with casting, some kids have blonde hair while both parents have brown hair, etc...
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04-30-2007, 05:03 PM	#2
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,839	In an episode of "Too Close for Comfort," Robert Mandan (Chester Tate from "Soap") played Ted Knight's brother. They both remind me of each other and I thought it was very realistic casting.

05-01-2007, 02:33 AM	#5
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	David Jansenn was PERFECT for the lead in "The Fugitive".

05-01-2007, 11:22 AM	#7
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,092	Hope & Faith: Faith Ford and Kelly Ripa resemble each other enough to make them believable as sisters.

05-01-2007, 02:57 PM	#9
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Jenny favored Helen somewhat in looks on The Jeffersons.

10-17-2007, 12:45 AM	#10
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Jean Stapleton was great as Marie Barrone's sister on Everybody Loves Raymond. Nancy Walker is great as Rhoda Morgenstern.

10-19-2007, 01:29 AM	#12
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan & Max Baer were all perfect as THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES, and Raymond Bailey was perfectly cast as Milburn Drysdale.

10-19-2007, 06:16 PM	#15
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,487	I know that Vicki Lawrence was chosen to appear on THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW because of her uncanny resemblance to Carol Burnett.