Why is Robin Williams doing a TV show? Money? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Yong Fang · 05-16-2013, 01:56 AM

I noticed that Robin Williams is going to headline a comedy this coming season. I will try it and hopefully like it.

My question is, why is Robin Williams doing television? He has been a Hollywood "A" lister for over 30 years. Even though I think he is getting older and he does not headline films, he is still in films almost every year, he is in a new one now playing a priest in a film with Robert DeNiro.

Seems to me that movies stars make much more money with less work involved. It also seems to me that working in television is a "step down" from films, but even Kevin Spacey has his own show. This question can also be directed at Dustin Hoffman when he did that HBO horse racing show that was cancelled last year.

I cannot help thinking that Robin Williams is incredibly wealthy and just doesn't need the work. My only explanation is that these kind of celebrities live this very expensive lifestyle and they have to work to keep the lifestyle up. Robin also has an ex wife or two and is probably stuck with paying high alimony. Or not.

So why is Mr. Williams doing a sitcom??

robyrob · 05-16-2013, 09:04 AM

i think it is because he is getting tired of playing priests marrying people in movies.

Torgo · 05-16-2013, 09:13 AM

It's not always about the money. He probably wants to do TV because he can settle down in one spot for awhile. Doing movies usually involved traveling and being away from loved ones.
Or maybe he just likes the show.
But also having a TV show doesn't automatically mean he'll stop making movies.

MacLeaper · 05-16-2013, 10:37 AM

Robin Williams has done television work before when he did "Mork & Mindy"- that was more toward the start of his career though. He's well into his TV and movie career- maybe this offer just worked out right for him. Perhaps he wanted to be in one place for a while and wanted the challenge of performing often for a TV show. Or maybe the money was right and he just needed the work. I don't know. In any case, it's nice to see Robin Williams back on TV.

TMC · 05-16-2013, 07:30 PM

Maybe this article below will provide some better insight on to where Robin Williams' career as gone in recent years:
http://lebeauleblog.com/2013/04/25/w...obin-williams/

Sal · 05-22-2013, 12:20 PM

I saw a preview of the new show and it doesn't look too bad. It reminds me of a movie I saw from the 80s called "Crazy People" starring Dudley Moore and Daryl Hannah playing much the same roles as Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar are in the TV show. Dudley Moore plays an ad man who takes the idea of truth in advertising a little too far. In one scene, he proposes putting a warning label on cigarettes that says something like "If you smoke, you will get lung cancer and die." Now just imagine what Robin Williams can do with a concept like that!

Tubehead · 05-22-2013, 03:42 PM

my faavorite robion williams moives are
mr doubt fire
rv
jumani
fluber

after while jhe played couple werid moives i didn't like one hour photo it kind of werid for me i hadn't seen fatle cut it looks got i got it on netlifx

Will and Grace Fanatic · 05-22-2013, 08:33 PM

Is current movie career is ok. Nothing like it was in the 90's. Alot of movie actors and singers as well have tried tv. Reba for instance. He may just want to go back to his roots where he got his start.

robyrob · 05-22-2013, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sal

I saw a preview of the new show and it doesn't look too bad. It reminds me of a movie I saw from the 80s called "Crazy People" starring Dudley Moore and Daryl Hannah playing much the same roles as Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar are in the TV show. Dudley Moore plays an ad man who takes the idea of truth in advertising a little too far. In one scene, he proposes putting a warning label on cigarettes that says something like "If you smoke, you will get lung cancer and die." Now just imagine what Robin Williams can do with a concept like that!

that movie was hilarious - to this day I still tell people about the bit with the guy and his Saab, " they aren't supposed to start every time."

catlover79 · 05-22-2013, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

that movie was hilarious - to this day I still tell people about the bit with the guy and his Saab, " they aren't supposed to start every time."

Ward Griffith · 05-22-2013, 10:33 PM

I like Mork n Mindey, Popeye and Miss Doubt Fire

"Nannoo Nannoo!"

Sal · 05-23-2013, 03:27 PM

Before "Mork & Mindy", which is still one of my favourite 70s sitcoms, Robin Williams appeared in a revised, short-lived version of the classic series "Laugh-In". It was this plus his great stand-up work that led to him playing Mork.

catlover79 · 05-23-2013, 04:21 PM

Yes, that would have been right around the time he got noticed by Garry Marshall and brought on to Happy Days to play Mork, and then the spinoff was born.

EmoJoe · 05-23-2013, 10:34 PM

A TV show, if it's successful, can be an extremely lucrative job...it's a steady pay that could last you forever if your show makes it to syndication. The idea of film actors sticking their nose up at TV is sort of a thing of the past. Lots of successful film actors have transitioned to TV - Kevin Bacon, Zooey Deschanel, Alec Baldwin, Danny DeVito, ect

liane49 · 05-31-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

I noticed that Robin Williams is going to headline a comedy this coming season. I will try it and hopefully like it.

My question is, why is Robin Williams doing television? He has been a Hollywood "A" lister for over 30 years. Even though I think he is getting older and he does not headline films, he is still in films almost every year, he is in a new one now playing a priest in a film with Robert DeNiro.

Seems to me that movies stars make much more money with less work involved. It also seems to me that working in television is a "step down" from films, but even Kevin Spacey has his own show. This question can also be directed at Dustin Hoffman when he did that HBO horse racing show that was cancelled last year.

I cannot help thinking that Robin Williams is incredibly wealthy and just doesn't need the work. My only explanation is that these kind of celebrities live this very expensive lifestyle and they have to work to keep the lifestyle up. Robin also has an ex wife or two and is probably stuck with paying high alimony. Or not.

So why is Mr. Williams doing a sitcom??

As much money as he gets for doing stand up, it can't be money. Maybe he can't do movies he really wants.

05-16-2013, 01:56 AM	#1
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	Why is Robin Williams doing a TV show? Money? I noticed that Robin Williams is going to headline a comedy this coming season. I will try it and hopefully like it. My question is, why is Robin Williams doing television? He has been a Hollywood "A" lister for over 30 years. Even though I think he is getting older and he does not headline films, he is still in films almost every year, he is in a new one now playing a priest in a film with Robert DeNiro. Seems to me that movies stars make much more money with less work involved. It also seems to me that working in television is a "step down" from films, but even Kevin Spacey has his own show. This question can also be directed at Dustin Hoffman when he did that HBO horse racing show that was cancelled last year. I cannot help thinking that Robin Williams is incredibly wealthy and just doesn't need the work. My only explanation is that these kind of celebrities live this very expensive lifestyle and they have to work to keep the lifestyle up. Robin also has an ex wife or two and is probably stuck with paying high alimony. Or not. So why is Mr. Williams doing a sitcom??

05-16-2013, 09:04 AM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,159	i think it is because he is getting tired of playing priests marrying people in movies.
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05-16-2013, 09:13 AM	#3
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,017	It's not always about the money. He probably wants to do TV because he can settle down in one spot for awhile. Doing movies usually involved traveling and being away from loved ones. Or maybe he just likes the show. But also having a TV show doesn't automatically mean he'll stop making movies.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

05-16-2013, 10:37 AM	#4
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,355	Robin Williams has done television work before when he did "Mork & Mindy"- that was more toward the start of his career though. He's well into his TV and movie career- maybe this offer just worked out right for him. Perhaps he wanted to be in one place for a while and wanted the challenge of performing often for a TV show. Or maybe the money was right and he just needed the work. I don't know. In any case, it's nice to see Robin Williams back on TV.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

05-22-2013, 08:33 PM	#8
Will and Grace Fanatic be happy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2002 Location: seattle, washington Posts: 2,746	Is current movie career is ok. Nothing like it was in the 90's. Alot of movie actors and singers as well have tried tv. Reba for instance. He may just want to go back to his roots where he got his start.
	__________________ love is love

05-16-2013, 07:30 PM	#5
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,453	Maybe this article below will provide some better insight on to where Robin Williams' career as gone in recent years: http://lebeauleblog.com/2013/04/25/w...obin-williams/

05-22-2013, 12:20 PM	#6
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,149	I saw a preview of the new show and it doesn't look too bad. It reminds me of a movie I saw from the 80s called "Crazy People" starring Dudley Moore and Daryl Hannah playing much the same roles as Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar are in the TV show. Dudley Moore plays an ad man who takes the idea of truth in advertising a little too far. In one scene, he proposes putting a warning label on cigarettes that says something like "If you smoke, you will get lung cancer and die." Now just imagine what Robin Williams can do with a concept like that!

05-22-2013, 03:42 PM	#7
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	my faavorite robion williams moives are mr doubt fire rv jumani fluber after while jhe played couple werid moives i didn't like one hour photo it kind of werid for me i hadn't seen fatle cut it looks got i got it on netlifx

05-22-2013, 10:33 PM	#11
Ward Griffith Banned Banned!! Occasional Poster Join Date: May 19, 2013 Posts: 25	I like Mork n Mindey, Popeye and Miss Doubt Fire "Nannoo Nannoo!"

05-23-2013, 03:27 PM	#12
Sal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: Oakville, Ont. Canada Posts: 6,149	Before "Mork & Mindy", which is still one of my favourite 70s sitcoms, Robin Williams appeared in a revised, short-lived version of the classic series "Laugh-In". It was this plus his great stand-up work that led to him playing Mork.

05-23-2013, 04:21 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Yes, that would have been right around the time he got noticed by Garry Marshall and brought on to Happy Days to play Mork, and then the spinoff was born.

05-23-2013, 10:34 PM	#14
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	A TV show, if it's successful, can be an extremely lucrative job...it's a steady pay that could last you forever if your show makes it to syndication. The idea of film actors sticking their nose up at TV is sort of a thing of the past. Lots of successful film actors have transitioned to TV - Kevin Bacon, Zooey Deschanel, Alec Baldwin, Danny DeVito, ect
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com