I wonder why the producers wanted Don Knotts character(Mr. Furley) to be the complete - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 10-17-2003, 05:21 PM

opposite of Norman's Fell character Mr. Roper. I read in a 1980 TV guide that they wanted the Don Knotts character to be the complete opposite of Stanley Roper but never said why. I woder why that was.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 10-17-2003, 06:26 PM

Maybe so they could bring something new to the show? I'm not sure

TVFactFan · 10-17-2003, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *A TV People*
Maybe so they could bring something new to the show? I'm not sure

I know it was to add something new to the show but i just would like to know why they thought a landlord opposite of Mr. Roper would be better for the show. Guess that is a question that we will never know the answer to-LOL

Janet Tripper · 10-17-2003, 07:19 PM

I think it was b/c they might of been scared that the viewers would get annoyed or bore w/the new character!...I don't know, I Love them all, Mr. & Mrs. Roper and Mr. Furley they each made the show funny in their own way!

David · 10-17-2003, 10:16 PM

i think if they were the same type of person, then viewers would be like "Norman did this better.... blah"

Same reason they didnt want Cindy like Chrissy or Terri like Cindy.

Liza · 10-18-2003, 12:05 AM

could it be because of the failure of the spinoff?

I don't know, I always found the Ropers annoying - it was the same joke over and over...

TVFactFan · 10-18-2003, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Liza
could it be because of the failure of the spinoff?

I don't know, I always found the Ropers annoying - it was the same joke over and over...

The producers felt this way before the Ropers spinoff fAiled

dlemond · 10-18-2003, 12:22 AM

Besides avoiding the obvious stigma of replacing the Ropers, it gave Furley the chance to be a solid new character- which because of Don Knotts, he was.

It then in turn gave Jack (and John Ritter) a whole new angle to his coverup scheme and antics. Not to mention an entirely different relationship with Mr. Furley

tattoored666 · 10-18-2003, 03:35 AM

I've always tried to think of the situation in relation to the social trends of the time, but have never been able to come up with a solid theory. There is a certain stigma surrounding a libido-charged older man that is still single. We're only talking a couple of years difference though. Who knows.........

Burley_Furley · 10-18-2003, 03:49 AM

I think the character of Mr. Roper alone would be boring. Mr. Roper with Helen is funny. I think they had to change the character so much when Don Knotts came because he was gonna be alone. He had 2 shoes to fill.

WeMissTripper · 10-18-2003, 10:26 AM

Good point. Also he was not the exact opposite, he still tried to keep the gang in check.

10-17-2003, 05:21 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,018	I wonder why the producers wanted Don Knotts character(Mr. Furley) to be the complete opposite of Norman's Fell character Mr. Roper. I read in a 1980 TV guide that they wanted the Don Knotts character to be the complete opposite of Stanley Roper but never said why. I woder why that was.

10-17-2003, 06:26 PM	#2
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Maybe so they could bring something new to the show? I'm not sure
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10-17-2003, 10:16 PM	#5
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	i think if they were the same type of person, then viewers would be like "Norman did this better.... blah" Same reason they didnt want Cindy like Chrissy or Terri like Cindy.
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10-18-2003, 12:22 AM	#8
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	Besides avoiding the obvious stigma of replacing the Ropers, it gave Furley the chance to be a solid new character- which because of Don Knotts, he was. It then in turn gave Jack (and John Ritter) a whole new angle to his coverup scheme and antics. Not to mention an entirely different relationship with Mr. Furley
	__________________ Michael

10-17-2003, 07:19 PM	#4
Janet Tripper Mr. & Mrs. Tripper<3 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 03, 2003 Location: Next door to Mr. and Mrs. Tripper <3 Posts: 2,530	I think it was b/c they might of been scared that the viewers would get annoyed or bore w/the new character!...I don't know, I Love them all, Mr. & Mrs. Roper and Mr. Furley they each made the show funny in their own way!

10-18-2003, 12:05 AM	#6
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	could it be because of the failure of the spinoff? I don't know, I always found the Ropers annoying - it was the same joke over and over...

10-18-2003, 03:35 AM	#9
tattoored666 Stay Sick! Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 09, 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 205	I've always tried to think of the situation in relation to the social trends of the time, but have never been able to come up with a solid theory. There is a certain stigma surrounding a libido-charged older man that is still single. We're only talking a couple of years difference though. Who knows.........

10-18-2003, 03:49 AM	#10
Burley_Furley TC Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 18, 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 325	I think the character of Mr. Roper alone would be boring. Mr. Roper with Helen is funny. I think they had to change the character so much when Don Knotts came because he was gonna be alone. He had 2 shoes to fill.

10-18-2003, 10:26 AM	#11
WeMissTripper Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 13, 2003 Posts: 123	Good point. Also he was not the exact opposite, he still tried to keep the gang in check.