What if things progressed differently (No, this isn't about Mac for a change...) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RetroTVNitekatt · 10-19-2017, 04:23 PM

As we all know know, Howard Hesseman joined ODAAT shortly after the cancellation of WKRP...

...But CBS actually tried to un-cancel WKRP after the tail end (following the cancellation) of it's final season got great ratings, however several cast members and production team had signed on to other projects and it proved impossible to get the show back together as everyone had been released from contract.

...BUT what if CBS was able to save WKRP? Howard wouldn't have been free to play Sam...

...WHO would have been cast as Sam instead? Would they have still gone with a known television actor who had been a lead/co-lead in a previous TV series, or would they have gone with someone who was a known guest player but never in their own series.

If he wasn't tied up with "It Takes Two" (Same season as ODAAT season 8), Richard Crenna might have been good in the part of Sam - yeh, he's was in his mid 50's (14 years older than Howard), but could pass for mid-40's (Heck, he was playing a teenager on "Our Miss Brooks" on TV when he was in his late 20's!) He also was a stronger, better actor.

But that aside, I wonder in this "What if" scenario who might have been cast.

Svenfan1234 · 10-19-2017, 07:26 PM

Maybe Michael Lembeck's father could have played Sam, Harvey Lembeck.

Bonniegirl · 10-19-2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svenfan1234

Maybe Michael Lembeck's father could have played Sam, Harvey Lembeck.

Hey yeah!!!!

And he could be Max's Dad in the show!!!

So instead of Ann marrying her Son in law Mark's Dad, they could have had her marry Son in Law Max's Dad!

He would have been a great addition!

OMG WHOA!! Wow!!! I wasn't thinking !

Harvey had already passed away at this time! On Jan. 5, 1982 !

So it couldn't have been him!

Svenfan1234 · 10-19-2017, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Hey yeah!!!!

And he could be Max's Dad in the show!!!

So instead of Ann marrying her Son in law Mark's Dad, they could have had her marry Son in Law Max's Dad!

He would have been a great addition!

OMG WHOA!! Wow!!! I wasn't thinking !

Harvey had already passed away at this time! On Jan. 5, 1982 !

So it couldn't have been him!

If he hadn't, he would've made a great Sam.

Who could've played Sam?...that is a good question.

Bonniegirl · 10-19-2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svenfan1234

If he hadn't, he would've made a great Sam.

Who could've played Sam?...that is a good question.

Bert Convy? OMG that would be hitting the jackpot for Ann !!!

But would it be realistic that he would go for her?

Svenfan1234 · 10-19-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Bert Convy? OMG that would be hitting the jackpot for Ann !!!

But would it be realistic that he would go for her?

Lest we forget...the Maestro did.

How bout Richie's Dad from "the Boy Who Cried Werewolf"?

Smiley13 · 10-22-2017, 12:56 PM

I am not a Hesseman fan, but I guess he matched with Bonnie Franklin. It would have been absurd to pair her with a handsome man. I never understood why they had so many men interested in Ann in the nine years.

James28 · 09-19-2022, 01:34 PM

In recent years, I was thinking about a universe where WKRP in Cincinnati had not been buried and screwed-over by CBS in the first place. In that universe, WKRP would be given a prominent slot on the CBS schedule (after 60 Minutes), and Archie Bunker's Place would not exist. Then there would be NO WAY that Howard Hesseman would join the main cast of One Day at a Time for its final season.

Since it would be absurd for Mr. Hesseman to leave one of the network's top sitcoms to join an ailing sitcom like One Day at a Time, if a poll were started right now (should we?), which option would you choose?

A. Cast Sam Royer with a different actor

B. Bring Back David Kane (Richard Masur)

C. Introduce a completely different character from either Sam or David for Ann's boyfriend

10-19-2017, 04:23 PM	#1
RetroTVNitekatt Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 09, 2003 Posts: 1,258	What if things progressed differently (No, this isn't about Mac for a change...) As we all know know, Howard Hesseman joined ODAAT shortly after the cancellation of WKRP... ...But CBS actually tried to un-cancel WKRP after the tail end (following the cancellation) of it's final season got great ratings, however several cast members and production team had signed on to other projects and it proved impossible to get the show back together as everyone had been released from contract. ...BUT what if CBS was able to save WKRP? Howard wouldn't have been free to play Sam... ...WHO would have been cast as Sam instead? Would they have still gone with a known television actor who had been a lead/co-lead in a previous TV series, or would they have gone with someone who was a known guest player but never in their own series. If he wasn't tied up with "It Takes Two" (Same season as ODAAT season 8), Richard Crenna might have been good in the part of Sam - yeh, he's was in his mid 50's (14 years older than Howard), but could pass for mid-40's (Heck, he was playing a teenager on "Our Miss Brooks" on TV when he was in his late 20's!) He also was a stronger, better actor. But that aside, I wonder in this "What if" scenario who might have been cast.
	__________________ Old Cats don't die-they just fall off the TV set!

10-19-2017, 07:26 PM	#2
Svenfan1234 Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 12, 2015 Posts: 11,200	Maybe Michael Lembeck's father could have played Sam, Harvey Lembeck.
	__________________ [

09-19-2022, 01:34 PM	#8
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,976	In recent years, I was thinking about a universe where WKRP in Cincinnati had not been buried and screwed-over by CBS in the first place. In that universe, WKRP would be given a prominent slot on the CBS schedule (after 60 Minutes), and Archie Bunker's Place would not exist. Then there would be NO WAY that Howard Hesseman would join the main cast of One Day at a Time for its final season. Since it would be absurd for Mr. Hesseman to leave one of the network's top sitcoms to join an ailing sitcom like One Day at a Time, if a poll were started right now (should we?), which option would you choose? A. Cast Sam Royer with a different actor B. Bring Back David Kane (Richard Masur) C. Introduce a completely different character from either Sam or David for Ann's boyfriend
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

10-22-2017, 12:56 PM	#7
Smiley13 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 02, 2015 Posts: 80	I am not a Hesseman fan, but I guess he matched with Bonnie Franklin. It would have been absurd to pair her with a handsome man. I never understood why they had so many men interested in Ann in the nine years.