David Schramm's Physical Humor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

pilotguy · 07-26-2003, 09:00 AM

I've noticed that in some of the later "Wings" episodes, David Schramm as Roy Biggins had developed a GREAT flair for physical comedy that makes good use of his physical build.

In earlier "Wings" episodes, people would make jokes about Roy's size, but that was about the extent of it...However, in these later episodes David shows an excellent Jackie Gleason-type style of flaunting his heaviness....like the "dream" show where Roy does a wild belly-dance and the episode where he teaches Antonio how to dance (and like Gleason, David was very agile and light on his feet).

I always knew that David was great with verbal humor, but this physical, sight-gag side of him seems to have surfaced in the last years of "Wings"....just one more reason why you can't totally dismiss Seasons 7 and 8!

losthighway · 07-26-2003, 12:12 PM

Yeah, I always felt that way too! I think David Schramm was very talented. It's always surprised me that some of the Wings cast members have hardly done any TV work since the show ended.
And David is #1 on that list.

I have to believe he just chose to not do TV anymore and concentrate on other things, because he is just too talented to not get work. But I think over the last 2 years of Wings the writers gave both David and Tony more opportunities to branch out a little, especially with Lowell gone and Bud not working out. Over the last two seasons I enjoyed how Antonio and Roy developed an odd friendship and their scenes together were great. That dance number they did on "Love Overboard" was classic stuff. And the live audience reaction to them dancing was fantastic.

phoebe7165 · 07-26-2003, 10:44 PM

Yes, Yes!!Thank you!! I always liked David Schramm as Roy. I can't imagine anybody else playing him. I love his "meany personality" towards the rest of the gang. Remember him calling Fay 'Amelia Airhead'? I also agree about what you were saying about Roy & Antonio's odd friendship. Also, remember Roy taking Antonio to his lodge for lunch and they got a little tipsy, and Antonio chasing Roy through the airport playing ticklish? That part always gets me cracking up. The fact that the writers took a chance and cast a heavyset actor in an industry that mainly focuses on "the beautiful people", well, I think that's says alot. I think it proved that they had alot of faith in David.

07-26-2003, 10:44 PM	#3
phoebe7165 Pop Culture Goddess Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2003 Location: US of A - the country of "really bad music" lovers Posts: 11,600	Yes, Yes!!Thank you!! I always liked David Schramm as Roy. I can't imagine anybody else playing him. I love his "meany personality" towards the rest of the gang. Remember him calling Fay 'Amelia Airhead'? I also agree about what you were saying about Roy & Antonio's odd friendship. Also, remember Roy taking Antonio to his lodge for lunch and they got a little tipsy, and Antonio chasing Roy through the airport playing ticklish? That part always gets me cracking up. The fact that the writers took a chance and cast a heavyset actor in an industry that mainly focuses on "the beautiful people", well, I think that's says alot. I think it proved that they had alot of faith in David.
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07-26-2003, 09:00 AM	#1
pilotguy Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 09, 2003 Posts: 1,305	David Schramm's Physical Humor I've noticed that in some of the later "Wings" episodes, David Schramm as Roy Biggins had developed a GREAT flair for physical comedy that makes good use of his physical build. In earlier "Wings" episodes, people would make jokes about Roy's size, but that was about the extent of it...However, in these later episodes David shows an excellent Jackie Gleason-type style of flaunting his heaviness....like the "dream" show where Roy does a wild belly-dance and the episode where he teaches Antonio how to dance (and like Gleason, David was very agile and light on his feet). I always knew that David was great with verbal humor, but this physical, sight-gag side of him seems to have surfaced in the last years of "Wings"....just one more reason why you can't totally dismiss Seasons 7 and 8!

07-26-2003, 12:12 PM	#2
losthighway Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2003 Posts: 370	Yeah, I always felt that way too! I think David Schramm was very talented. It's always surprised me that some of the Wings cast members have hardly done any TV work since the show ended. And David is #1 on that list. I have to believe he just chose to not do TV anymore and concentrate on other things, because he is just too talented to not get work. But I think over the last 2 years of Wings the writers gave both David and Tony more opportunities to branch out a little, especially with Lowell gone and Bud not working out. Over the last two seasons I enjoyed how Antonio and Roy developed an odd friendship and their scenes together were great. That dance number they did on "Love Overboard" was classic stuff. And the live audience reaction to them dancing was fantastic.