"Inside Stories" about TV - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 03-31-2009, 01:22 AM

post some that you know. I'll start.
Procter & Gamble who sponsored "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" cancelled it after the first season. (back then sponsors of TV shows had a lot of say in determining the shows fate) But then Carl Riener flew to the P & G headquarters and begged them to give the show another chance. They said they would, but only if they could get another sponsor. So, CBS got Kent cigarettes.

Jerry Van Dyke was originally considered for Gilligan on "GILLIGANS ISLAND" but he read the pilot script and called it "the worst piece of crap I ever saw".
Carroll O'Connor was first considered for the skipper, but they thought people would feel sorry fo Gilligan whenever the skipper yelled at him.

Mickey Rooney was first considered for the lead in "ALL IN THE FAMILY" but after reading the script he realized how controversial it would become and "I didn't want any part of that".

They decided to make "MASH" because; they first wanted to make a sequel to the movie but decided to make a TV show instead. They figured they could keep the costs down since the movies outdoor set was still standing, and they already owned the rights to the story.

janet42 · 03-31-2009, 08:50 PM

Sharon Tate was originally picked to play Billie Jo on Petticoat Junction, but because of some photos she posed on playboy, she was let go.

Robert Foxworth was offered the role of JR on "Dallas" but turned it down.

Bea Benaderet was the original choice to play Ethel Mertz but had to turn it down, because she was already playing Blanche Morton on "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show."

MrRetro_08 · 04-01-2009, 04:43 AM

David Duchovny suggested Jennifer Beals, his classmate from Yale for the part of Scully.

CBS wanted Jane Sibbett for the part of Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, but the producers and Ray Romano preferred Patricia Heaton.

treky · 04-01-2009, 04:41 PM

on "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" Andy was originally going to be the funny one, and Don Knotts the "straight man". But Andy realized that it'd be funnier the other way.

When they were having trouble finding someone to play Laura Petrie on "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" Danny Thomas remembered an actress who had auditioned for his oldest daughter on his TV show, but had been turned down. So he suggested "that girl with the nose and the three names". That actress was, of course, Mary Tyler Moore.

Marvo301 · 04-01-2009, 06:04 PM

Just to correct your story about the Dick Van Dyke Show. It was actually executive producer Sheldon Leonard who flew across the country to convince Procter and Gamble to renew their sponsorship not Carl Reiner. Reiner,like the rest of the cast and crew, thought the Van Dyke Show was done and was busy trying to line up other work for himself in the movies. Sheldon Leonard was the only one who refused to give up on the show. So he boarded a plane for Cincinnati and met with Proctor and Gamble. After some nervous minutes P&G agreed to pick up the show for another year and so Sheldon boarded a plane back to L.A. No sooner had Sheldon Leonard arrived back in L.A. then he received a message that P&G had changed their mind and was only willing to sponsor half the show. So It was back onto an airplane for Sheldon Leonard. This time his destination was New York to seek a sponsor for the other half of the show. His first pitch was at P. Lorillard Tobacco Co.(makers of Kent cigarettes). After this he moved on to the Alberto-Culver Co. and once again began his pitch. It was in the middle of this pitch that he received word that Kent Cigarettes had decided to pick up the second half of the Dick Van Dyke Show. And that is how Sheldon Leonard single handedly saved The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Dusty's Fan · 04-05-2009, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRetro_08

CBS wanted Jane Sibbett for the part of Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, but the producers and Ray Romano preferred Patricia Heaton.

I had read a few times that Maggie Wheeler was strongly considered for that role.

treky · 04-06-2009, 01:20 AM

on "FRASIER" the name of the radio station-KACL-was Kelcey Grammer, David Angel, Peter Casey, & David Lee.

Also, when Kelcey Grammer decided to do his own show after "CHEERS" he originally wasn't going to continue playing Dr. Frasier Crane, and the show wasn't going to be a spinn-off of "CHEERS". Instead, he was going to play a millionaire who was injured in a motorcycle accident and conducted his buisness from his bed.

treky · 04-06-2009, 01:36 AM

William Devane & Julia Duffy were first considered to play Sam & Diane on "CHEERS".
Fred Dryer was also considered as Sam, and he would've been an ex-football player. But when Ted Danson was cast, they decided to make him an ex-baseball player instead.
John Lithgrow was one of the actors first considered for Frasier.
The first wanted to set it in a small town in California.
John Ratzenberger first auditioned for the role of Norm.
A couple times when you heard Norms wife, Vera, it was George Wedents real wife.

browneyes106 · 04-06-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrRetro_08

David Duchovny suggested Jennifer Beals, his classmate from Yale for the part of Scully.

CBS wanted Jane Sibbett for the part of Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, but the producers and Ray Romano preferred Patricia Heaton.

I like Jennifer and Jane but I couldn't see them having those roles. I don't think Jennifer would have made a great Scully.

Dusty's Fan · 04-09-2009, 07:41 AM

Roger Torrey was a leading candidate for the role of Jethro when "The Beverly Hillbillies" was cast, the role going instead to Max Baer Jr.

Roger did appear on the series much later in the roles of Matthew and Mark Templeton.

Gale Gordon, IIRC, was the original choice for the role of Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy," the role that went to William Frawley (I can't recall for certain though regarding Gale).

treky · 04-11-2009, 03:09 AM

the front of the mansion on "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" was actually the back. They were denied permission to film the front.
At first, they filmed the exterior scenes of the mansion at a real one. (the black and white shows) The owner gave them permission too, as long as they never gave out the address. But then TV Guide found it out and printed it and suddenly, the show was so popular that it became a big tourist attraction, with people tresspassing on the lawn, climing over the gates, walking up and knocking and asking if Granny & Jed were home, etc.
So the owner denied them permission to keep filming it.

Despite the impression you might get "STAR TREK" was never a BIG hit in the ratings-not even in the first season. In fact, I think I read or heard somewhere that when the first episode aired Gene Rodenberry apoligized because he and everyone thought it was so bad.

Marvo301 · 04-11-2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty's Fan

Roger Torrey was a leading candidate for the role of Jethro when "The Beverly Hillbillies" was cast, the role going instead to Max Baer Jr.

Roger did appear on the series much later in the roles of Matthew and Mark Templeton.

Gale Gordon, IIRC, was the original choice for the role of Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy," the role that went to William Frawley (I can't recall for certain though regarding Gale).

The reason Gale Gorden was unable to accept the role of Fred Mertz is because he was under contract to another show at the time.(on radio I believe). Likewise Bea Benaderet the original choice for Ethel was unavailable because she was under contract to the George Burns and Gracie Allen Show at the time.

Raisingdad2004 · 04-11-2009, 09:26 AM

Frances Fisher was originally picked for the role as Jill on Home Improvement, but didn't have the chemistry with Tim Allen so she was replaced.

megamanj2004 · 04-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Martin Landau was once originally offered the role to play Dr. Spock on "Star Trek" but Roddenberry gave the role to Leonard Nimoy instead.

Coincidentally, both Landau and Nimoy worked on another Desilu-Paramount-produced in "Mission: Impossible" in one way or another respectively.

Landau was originally a semi-regular throughout the entire 1st season as he was given an in-episode credit as "Special Guest Star Rollin Hand" but because he proved to be popular, the people of M:I gave him a regular role from S2-until he and his then-wife Barbara Bain left the series at the end of S3.

Another ironic twist was that when Landau left M:I after S3, the guy that took the role of Spock from Landau would replace Landau in S4 and S5 of M:I in the name of Leonard Nimoy as Paris.

TVFactFan · 04-11-2009, 05:58 PM

Jeffersons.

Sherman Hemsley admitted that the scene with him and Isabel gettig out of the Cab in the opening credits and walking in the building never thought it would be chosen because that was one of the takes with him and isabel acting silly. He said that stroll walk was embarassing for him to see on TV since he was not being serious.

Sherman Also admitted that Isabel was not happy that he was chosen to be her TV husband because he was too small.

Sherman admitted that he felt the George Jefferson should start being more Nice during the 80's since he barely smiled dring the first 5 years of the show.

Sherman said the name"weezy" came from when he was a boy growing up in Philly and it was a girl in the neighborhood named Louise and everyone called her Weezy. So he asked Isabel would be okay with the name and she said no.

03-31-2009, 01:22 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	"Inside Stories" about TV post some that you know. I'll start. Procter & Gamble who sponsored "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" cancelled it after the first season. (back then sponsors of TV shows had a lot of say in determining the shows fate) But then Carl Riener flew to the P & G headquarters and begged them to give the show another chance. They said they would, but only if they could get another sponsor. So, CBS got Kent cigarettes. Jerry Van Dyke was originally considered for Gilligan on "GILLIGANS ISLAND" but he read the pilot script and called it "the worst piece of crap I ever saw". Carroll O'Connor was first considered for the skipper, but they thought people would feel sorry fo Gilligan whenever the skipper yelled at him. Mickey Rooney was first considered for the lead in "ALL IN THE FAMILY" but after reading the script he realized how controversial it would become and "I didn't want any part of that". They decided to make "MASH" because; they first wanted to make a sequel to the movie but decided to make a TV show instead. They figured they could keep the costs down since the movies outdoor set was still standing, and they already owned the rights to the story.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

04-01-2009, 04:43 AM	#3
MrRetro_08 T'ank you veddy much! Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2007 Location: A Place Far Away Posts: 823	David Duchovny suggested Jennifer Beals, his classmate from Yale for the part of Scully. CBS wanted Jane Sibbett for the part of Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond, but the producers and Ray Romano preferred Patricia Heaton.
	__________________ It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!! Peanut Butter Jelly Time!!

04-01-2009, 06:04 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Just to correct your story about the Dick Van Dyke Show. It was actually executive producer Sheldon Leonard who flew across the country to convince Procter and Gamble to renew their sponsorship not Carl Reiner. Reiner,like the rest of the cast and crew, thought the Van Dyke Show was done and was busy trying to line up other work for himself in the movies. Sheldon Leonard was the only one who refused to give up on the show. So he boarded a plane for Cincinnati and met with Proctor and Gamble. After some nervous minutes P&G agreed to pick up the show for another year and so Sheldon boarded a plane back to L.A. No sooner had Sheldon Leonard arrived back in L.A. then he received a message that P&G had changed their mind and was only willing to sponsor half the show. So It was back onto an airplane for Sheldon Leonard. This time his destination was New York to seek a sponsor for the other half of the show. His first pitch was at P. Lorillard Tobacco Co.(makers of Kent cigarettes). After this he moved on to the Alberto-Culver Co. and once again began his pitch. It was in the middle of this pitch that he received word that Kent Cigarettes had decided to pick up the second half of the Dick Van Dyke Show. And that is how Sheldon Leonard single handedly saved The Dick Van Dyke Show.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

04-11-2009, 09:26 AM	#13
Raisingdad2004 Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 05, 2004 Posts: 715	Frances Fisher was originally picked for the role as Jill on Home Improvement, but didn't have the chemistry with Tim Allen so she was replaced.
	__________________ Kaley Cuoco (8 Simple Rules) and Johnny Galecki (Roseanne) star - The Big Bang Theory Site. Two and a Half Men Fan Site.

04-11-2009, 11:54 AM	#14
megamanj2004 Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 21, 2004 Posts: 2,361	Martin Landau was once originally offered the role to play Dr. Spock on "Star Trek" but Roddenberry gave the role to Leonard Nimoy instead. Coincidentally, both Landau and Nimoy worked on another Desilu-Paramount-produced in "Mission: Impossible" in one way or another respectively. Landau was originally a semi-regular throughout the entire 1st season as he was given an in-episode credit as "Special Guest Star Rollin Hand" but because he proved to be popular, the people of M:I gave him a regular role from S2-until he and his then-wife Barbara Bain left the series at the end of S3. Another ironic twist was that when Landau left M:I after S3, the guy that took the role of Spock from Landau would replace Landau in S4 and S5 of M:I in the name of Leonard Nimoy as Paris.
	__________________ 10 AND A HALF YEARS GOING STRONG!!!

03-31-2009, 08:50 PM	#2
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	Sharon Tate was originally picked to play Billie Jo on Petticoat Junction, but because of some photos she posed on playboy, she was let go. Robert Foxworth was offered the role of JR on "Dallas" but turned it down. Bea Benaderet was the original choice to play Ethel Mertz but had to turn it down, because she was already playing Blanche Morton on "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show."

04-01-2009, 04:41 PM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	on "THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW" Andy was originally going to be the funny one, and Don Knotts the "straight man". But Andy realized that it'd be funnier the other way. When they were having trouble finding someone to play Laura Petrie on "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" Danny Thomas remembered an actress who had auditioned for his oldest daughter on his TV show, but had been turned down. So he suggested "that girl with the nose and the three names". That actress was, of course, Mary Tyler Moore.

04-06-2009, 01:20 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	on "FRASIER" the name of the radio station-KACL-was Kelcey Grammer, David Angel, Peter Casey, & David Lee. Also, when Kelcey Grammer decided to do his own show after "CHEERS" he originally wasn't going to continue playing Dr. Frasier Crane, and the show wasn't going to be a spinn-off of "CHEERS". Instead, he was going to play a millionaire who was injured in a motorcycle accident and conducted his buisness from his bed.

04-06-2009, 01:36 AM	#8
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	William Devane & Julia Duffy were first considered to play Sam & Diane on "CHEERS". Fred Dryer was also considered as Sam, and he would've been an ex-football player. But when Ted Danson was cast, they decided to make him an ex-baseball player instead. John Lithgrow was one of the actors first considered for Frasier. The first wanted to set it in a small town in California. John Ratzenberger first auditioned for the role of Norm. A couple times when you heard Norms wife, Vera, it was George Wedents real wife.

04-09-2009, 07:41 AM	#10
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,092	Roger Torrey was a leading candidate for the role of Jethro when "The Beverly Hillbillies" was cast, the role going instead to Max Baer Jr. Roger did appear on the series much later in the roles of Matthew and Mark Templeton. Gale Gordon, IIRC, was the original choice for the role of Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy," the role that went to William Frawley (I can't recall for certain though regarding Gale).

04-11-2009, 03:09 AM	#11
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	the front of the mansion on "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" was actually the back. They were denied permission to film the front. At first, they filmed the exterior scenes of the mansion at a real one. (the black and white shows) The owner gave them permission too, as long as they never gave out the address. But then TV Guide found it out and printed it and suddenly, the show was so popular that it became a big tourist attraction, with people tresspassing on the lawn, climing over the gates, walking up and knocking and asking if Granny & Jed were home, etc. So the owner denied them permission to keep filming it. Despite the impression you might get "STAR TREK" was never a BIG hit in the ratings-not even in the first season. In fact, I think I read or heard somewhere that when the first episode aired Gene Rodenberry apoligized because he and everyone thought it was so bad.

04-11-2009, 05:58 PM	#15
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,101	Jeffersons. Sherman Hemsley admitted that the scene with him and Isabel gettig out of the Cab in the opening credits and walking in the building never thought it would be chosen because that was one of the takes with him and isabel acting silly. He said that stroll walk was embarassing for him to see on TV since he was not being serious. Sherman Also admitted that Isabel was not happy that he was chosen to be her TV husband because he was too small. Sherman admitted that he felt the George Jefferson should start being more Nice during the 80's since he barely smiled dring the first 5 years of the show. Sherman said the name"weezy" came from when he was a boy growing up in Philly and it was a girl in the neighborhood named Louise and everyone called her Weezy. So he asked Isabel would be okay with the name and she said no.