Do You Think 'Family Ties' Would've Still Been A Hit If Matthew Broderick Was Alex?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-28-2010, 01:09 AM

It was Matthew Broderick's choice to turn down the role of Alex P. Keaton. How much different would the show have been if he actually accepted the part?

catlover79 · 06-28-2010, 01:17 AM

I don't know, but I do know that Billy Warlock was also up for the role of Alex. Instead, Michael got Family Ties and Billy wound up on Happy Days (and went on to soap stardom). I read in a Soap Opera Digest interview with Billy a few years back where he said whenever he and Michael's paths would cross, Michael would always thank Billy for his career.

Marvo301 · 06-28-2010, 02:47 AM

Michael J. Fox was the absolute break out star of Family Ties winning multiple Emmy's for the role of Alex P. Keaton. No offense to Matthew Broderick and Billy Warlock but I can't imagine anyone other than Michael J. Fox in the role of Alex.

catlover79 · 06-28-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Michael J. Fox was the absolute break out star of Family Ties winning multiple Emmy's for the role of Alex P. Keaton. No offense to Matthew Broderick and Billy Warlock but I can't imagine anyone other than Michael J. Fox in the role of Alex.

Me, neither. Michael was also supposedly up for Billy's role as Flip Phillips on Happy Days. But both Billy and Matthew turned out fine - Billy is an Emmy-winner (for his role as Frankie Brady on DAYS back in the 80s) and is still in the acting biz, and of course Matthew is a Tony winner. All three married actresses (and Billy's wife Julie won an Emmy last night for ATWT) and have carved out their own niches in show biz.

HuntingtonM15 · 06-28-2010, 11:32 AM

It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.

catlover79 · 06-28-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.

Good points!!!

Retro4Life · 06-28-2010, 12:18 PM

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing someone else in the role. Broderick did seem to be able to play the same "quick witted, sarcastic, slightly mercenary and scheming" role as Alex, when he played Ferris Bueller, so he COULD have been successful with the role, but as the rest of you have said, Fox hit the role out of the park so it's a moot point now.

Family Ties Forever! · 06-28-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.

I agree. It's hard to say because we are biased as we saw MJF in that role. Trying to see someone else play that character is hard.

Another good example is Kelsey Grammer. He played Dr. Frasier Crane for 20 years. It would be hard objectively to see anyone else play that role because we are used to seeing him and no one else.

Fanofoldtvshows · 07-01-2010, 12:42 AM

I can't see no one,but Michael J Fox playing Alex P Keaton

catlover79 · 07-01-2010, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing someone else in the role. Broderick did seem to be able to play the same "quick witted, sarcastic, slightly mercenary and scheming" role as Alex, when he played Ferris Bueller, so he COULD have been successful with the role, but as the rest of you have said, Fox hit the role out of the park so it's a moot point now.

On the flip side of the coin, I think MJF could've played Ferris Bueller to a T!!!

06-28-2010, 01:09 AM	#1
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	Do You Think 'Family Ties' Would've Still Been A Hit If Matthew Broderick Was Alex?? It was Matthew Broderick's choice to turn down the role of Alex P. Keaton. How much different would the show have been if he actually accepted the part? Attached Images
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06-28-2010, 01:17 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I don't know, but I do know that Billy Warlock was also up for the role of Alex. Instead, Michael got Family Ties and Billy wound up on Happy Days (and went on to soap stardom). I read in a Soap Opera Digest interview with Billy a few years back where he said whenever he and Michael's paths would cross, Michael would always thank Billy for his career.
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06-28-2010, 02:47 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Michael J. Fox was the absolute break out star of Family Ties winning multiple Emmy's for the role of Alex P. Keaton. No offense to Matthew Broderick and Billy Warlock but I can't imagine anyone other than Michael J. Fox in the role of Alex.
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06-28-2010, 12:18 PM	#7
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Yeah, I have a hard time seeing someone else in the role. Broderick did seem to be able to play the same "quick witted, sarcastic, slightly mercenary and scheming" role as Alex, when he played Ferris Bueller, so he COULD have been successful with the role, but as the rest of you have said, Fox hit the role out of the park so it's a moot point now.
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06-28-2010, 11:32 AM	#5
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	It's just too hard to say. We become biased when we're used to someone in a role, so it seems like the answer would be, 'no.' However, putting aside the bias, anything is possible. It's just hard to picture.

07-01-2010, 12:42 AM	#9
Fanofoldtvshows Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 15, 2009 Posts: 42	I can't see no one,but Michael J Fox playing Alex P Keaton