Did it Really Matter Who Was Cast On 'The Addams Family?'

[Brian Damage]

In looking back at the rest of the sitcoms from the 1960s, especially the ‘high concept’ sort- like The Addams Family, The Munsters, My Mother The Car, Bewitched, I Dream Of Jeannie, My Favorite Martian, Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, etc.- they all depended upon, well, the highness, so to speak, of their concept. I mean, were Barbara Eden or Elizabeth Montgomery really indispensable in their roles as a genie and witch? Could not either of them have been paired up with their male mates and basically have had the show’s premises been the same? Was Uncle Fester the reason anyone watched The Addams Family? No. All of the actors were replaceable.

http://www.cosmoetica.com/B874-DES691.htm

Do you agree or disagree with this article?

[catlover79]

Huh - I'm the first one to give the rebuttal here. Maybe the kids were replaceable - but the adults surely were not. John Astin and Jackie Coogan kept everyone in stitches with their wacky antics, and the romantic chemistry between Astin and Carolyn Jones was off the charts. Plus, who could've played Lurch as effectively as Ted Cassidy? His imposing height, grim expressions, and grunts were perfect. Lurch was definitely the strong, silent type!!

[MickeyMac]

Does it matter?

[comedyfreak]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Could not either of them have been paired up with their male mates and basically have had the show’s premises been the same? Was Uncle Fester the reason anyone watched The Addams Family? No. All of the actors were replaceable.

http://www.cosmoetica.com/B874-DES691.htm

Do you agree or disagree with this article?

No I do not agree, it would have effected the feel of the show. I couldn't imagine anyone else as Morticia or Lurch. I bet Fester had his fans, the only one who could've been replaced was Thing which he was when he and Lurch had to be on camera at the same time.