Would 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Still Have Worked If Gavin MacLeod Was Cast As Lou? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-07-2010, 01:02 AM

If Gavin MacLeod got the first role he auditioned for as Lou Grant, do you think the show would've still worked?

dakert · 10-07-2010, 01:28 AM

Ummm, Maybe

Just for the record I think everyone was great as they ended up being

[QUOTE=Brian Damage]If Gavin MacLeod got the first role he auditioned for as Lou Grant, do you think the show would've still worked?

dlemond · 10-07-2010, 10:03 AM

I think it would have worked.

Afterwards MacLeod went right into the authorative roll of Captain Stubing- a far cry from Murray- and was very good. Hard to believe it's the same actor.

I think MacLeod would have had the chops to pull it off as Lou, but I don't think it would have been as memorable. It was more suited for Ed Asner.

PGood97041 · 10-08-2010, 12:34 AM

I don't think it would have worked, because if you have Gavin as Lou, you also don't have Gavin as Murray.
So in this scenario you're not just losing Lou Grant, you're losing Murray Slaughter, too...TWO characters we loved.

Gavin certainly is a fine actor and COULD have played Lou Grant, but I'm not sure he could have been gruff enough. And anybody they brought in wouldn't have been as sharp-witted and as loyal as Murray.

These things are fun to think about, of course, but the reality is we are lucky it all came together the way it did.

Marvo301 · 10-08-2010, 01:09 AM

I agree that Gavin MacLeod was capable of playing Lou. However if he had played Lou than the relationship between Lou and Mary would have been different which would have had an effect on the entire show since the Lou/Mary relationship is so central to the show.

catlover79 · 10-08-2010, 01:14 AM

It's too hard for me to say. To me, Ed IS Lou, and Gavin IS Murray. I can't imagine anyone else in those roles!!

Kristen · 10-08-2010, 04:46 PM

Yeah, what Monika said.

I think Gavin knew from the start he wasn't right for Lou, and I'm glad he got Murray instead.

ClassicTVGal · 10-08-2010, 07:05 PM

Yes, I agree. I can't see Ed or Gavin playing anyone else but the characters they ended up portraying.

And yes, even after Gavin read for "Lou" right when he was gonna walk out, he turned back and asked if he could read "Murray".

I think he and Ed even passed each other somewhere in auditions.

Retro4Life · 10-08-2010, 08:35 PM

My first guess is "no, it wouldn't have worked as well." But you never know.

I will say that it seems fated that these guys ended up with the roles they did. The show's incredible success seems to bear this out.

10-07-2010, 01:02 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	Would 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Still Have Worked If Gavin MacLeod Was Cast As Lou? If Gavin MacLeod got the first role he auditioned for as Lou Grant, do you think the show would've still worked?
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10-08-2010, 01:09 AM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	I agree that Gavin MacLeod was capable of playing Lou. However if he had played Lou than the relationship between Lou and Mary would have been different which would have had an effect on the entire show since the Lou/Mary relationship is so central to the show.
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10-08-2010, 01:14 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	It's too hard for me to say. To me, Ed IS Lou, and Gavin IS Murray. I can't imagine anyone else in those roles!!
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10-08-2010, 04:46 PM	#7
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Yeah, what Monika said. I think Gavin knew from the start he wasn't right for Lou, and I'm glad he got Murray instead.
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10-08-2010, 08:35 PM	#9
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	My first guess is "no, it wouldn't have worked as well." But you never know. I will say that it seems fated that these guys ended up with the roles they did. The show's incredible success seems to bear this out.
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10-07-2010, 01:28 AM	#2
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Ummm, Maybe Just for the record I think everyone was great as they ended up being [QUOTE=Brian Damage]If Gavin MacLeod got the first role he auditioned for as Lou Grant, do you think the show would've still worked?

10-07-2010, 10:03 AM	#3
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	I think it would have worked. Afterwards MacLeod went right into the authorative roll of Captain Stubing- a far cry from Murray- and was very good. Hard to believe it's the same actor. I think MacLeod would have had the chops to pull it off as Lou, but I don't think it would have been as memorable. It was more suited for Ed Asner.

10-08-2010, 12:34 AM	#4
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	I don't think it would have worked, because if you have Gavin as Lou, you also don't have Gavin as Murray. So in this scenario you're not just losing Lou Grant, you're losing Murray Slaughter, too...TWO characters we loved. Gavin certainly is a fine actor and COULD have played Lou Grant, but I'm not sure he could have been gruff enough. And anybody they brought in wouldn't have been as sharp-witted and as loyal as Murray. These things are fun to think about, of course, but the reality is we are lucky it all came together the way it did.

10-08-2010, 07:05 PM	#8
ClassicTVGal Traveler Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Posts: 3,457	Yes, I agree. I can't see Ed or Gavin playing anyone else but the characters they ended up portraying. And yes, even after Gavin read for "Lou" right when he was gonna walk out, he turned back and asked if he could read "Murray". I think he and Ed even passed each other somewhere in auditions.