Punishing Richard Kline - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jinxey · 07-23-2016, 09:53 AM

I remember watching the True Hollywood Story a long time ago, and Richard Kline said that during season 4, he asked the producers about Larry's character development. He said they "punished" him by not writing him into episodes for a while.

When I look at the production numbers (not in order filmed), there's a big gap between "A Camping We Will Go" (Production 405) & Ralph's Rival (Production 412) where he appeared, so I believe what he said was true.

Did he get paid per episode, or paid per year?

JSP · 07-23-2016, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxey

I remember watching the True Hollywood Story a long time ago, and Richard Kline said that during season 4, he asked the producers about Larry's character development. He said they "punished" him by not writing him into episodes for a while.

When I look at the production numbers (not in order filmed), there's a big gap between "A Camping We Will Go" (Production 405) & Ralph's Rival (Production 412) where he appeared, so I believe what he said was true.

It's weird how much like s**t the actors were treated to on Three's Company at the time. People off the screen running the show seemed to have such an areogance about themselves, thinking they were the geniuses and the actors were mere pawns, when the reality is nobody thinks about Nicholl Ross West when it comes to Three's Company. It's John, Joyce, and Suzanne. As good as the show was, I can't help but think showing the actors a little more respect would have made the show even better.

JackJanetChrissy · 07-23-2016, 12:41 PM

In those days there was a hierarchy of power, and anyone who challenged that system got burned. It wasn't until the 1990s, with shows like Friends and Seinfeld, that actors finally had some clout.

Richard Kline didn't even want money, he just talked to the writers about ideas he had for Larry. Even an actor's voice was silenced back then, let alone requests for a raise.

I think TV actors today have shows like All in the Family, Laverne and Shirley, and Three's Company (plus a bunch more late 70s, early 80s) shows to thank for that bargaining power. The audience and producers finally acknowledge that the actors make the shows, not the other way around.

I think Richard Kline was probably paid by episode, like all of them.

07-23-2016, 09:53 AM	#1
Jinxey Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 27, 2005 Posts: 554	Punishing Richard Kline I remember watching the True Hollywood Story a long time ago, and Richard Kline said that during season 4, he asked the producers about Larry's character development. He said they "punished" him by not writing him into episodes for a while. When I look at the production numbers (not in order filmed), there's a big gap between "A Camping We Will Go" (Production 405) & Ralph's Rival (Production 412) where he appeared, so I believe what he said was true. Did he get paid per episode, or paid per year?

07-23-2016, 12:41 PM	#3
JackJanetChrissy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 18, 2014 Posts: 1,005	In those days there was a hierarchy of power, and anyone who challenged that system got burned. It wasn't until the 1990s, with shows like Friends and Seinfeld, that actors finally had some clout. Richard Kline didn't even want money, he just talked to the writers about ideas he had for Larry. Even an actor's voice was silenced back then, let alone requests for a raise. I think TV actors today have shows like All in the Family, Laverne and Shirley, and Three's Company (plus a bunch more late 70s, early 80s) shows to thank for that bargaining power. The audience and producers finally acknowledge that the actors make the shows, not the other way around. I think Richard Kline was probably paid by episode, like all of them.