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Post by dfnmeows44 on Dec 24, 2010 7:48:48 GMT -5
To the NCWaltons fan regarding Bewitched
Remember Dick Sergeant played the part of the army officer in the south Pacific during The Outrage episode.
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Post by ncwaltonsfan on Dec 24, 2010 10:48:52 GMT -5
I remember that. I also remember Eric Scott appeared on the "Bewitched" episode "Out Of The Mouths Of Babes" as Darrin's friend Herbie after Endora turned Darrin into a child.
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Post by davidm on Dec 28, 2010 19:46:58 GMT -5
I can't believe I'm going to mention this, but, Roseanne's oldest daughter was played by 2 different girls. There, I said it, let the chips fall where they may. Yes, the original Derwood was replaced, but could you have replaced Elizabeth Montgomery? It wouldn't have worked. Could you have replaced Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo? Could you have replaced Desi Arnez as Ricky Ricardo? I dun't think so! Could you have replaced Diana Ross in The Supremes? It didn't work. Could Hillary Clinton be replaced by Monica Lewinski? I don't need to tell you the disaster that was!
They didn't replace Ellen Corby as the Grandma. They didn't replace Will Geer as the Grandpa. They didn't replace Michael Learned as the Momma. They shouldn't have replaced Richard Thomas as the John Boy. My personal belief is they did some marketing research to see if bringing him back would help bring the ratings back up and the answer they got was "yes". They did it slowly, with minor parts, and I don't think the majority of the public accepted a new John Boy. I don't think Robert Wightman did a bad job but, Richard Thomas was very animated while Robert was quite subdued. Personally I would like to see Robert acknowledged for filling some tough shoes.
The show was on the air for 9 years, and for 6 of those years it charted quite well.
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Post by Marilyn on Dec 28, 2010 20:25:42 GMT -5
I thought that Robert Wightman acted like he was half asleep at times, with what seemed to be squinty eyes and odd voice when he talked. The original JB was much more animated for sure. Definitely a tough job to replace JB and impossible to do.
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Post by dfnmeows44 on Dec 28, 2010 20:43:00 GMT -5
There were two Mr French's. Sebastian Cabot became ill shortly after Family Affair began its first season and he supposedly told Bill Davis that he was going to England to accompany the Queen on a Royal tour. For about 4 to 5 episodes John Williams played the part and then Sebastian Cabot returned for the remainder of the five year series.
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Post by michelle on Dec 29, 2010 0:02:05 GMT -5
I believe that John Williams played Mr. French, but his Mr. French was Nigel French's (Sebastian Cabot) brother.
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bucky
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Post by bucky on Dec 29, 2010 19:39:49 GMT -5
If I'm remembering correctly, the two Darrins and the two Gladys were able to pull off the switch because they didn't vary from the original character created by the actors/writers. And of course they were seasoned actors. The 2nd JB seemed a very muted personality in comparison to Richard's version, which I have to blame on the writers or the Director at the time. He actually struck me as being depressed or something. I'm sure Robert Wightman was a decent actor and might have had a chance if he'd have been given something to work with.
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Post by Marilyn on Dec 29, 2010 20:06:26 GMT -5
I thought the two Darrin's were very similar in appearance and body language.
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Post by davidm on Dec 30, 2010 16:28:56 GMT -5
Some mentioned that the plane crash could have subdued John Boy's personality. Also, his doctor could have prescribed him Valium. I might have mentioned this before; Earl Hamner said in his book Goodnight John Boy that Robert Wightman was chosen because he looks like he could be the son of Ralph Wait and Michael Learned. Since they did decide to bring John Boy back, and since they chose Robert Wightman to portray him. I think it would be fair to him if he would be acknowledged for the contributions he made to the show, via some of the reunions. He did also appear in the first 3 movies as John Boy.
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radams
Newspaper Vendor
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Post by radams on Sept 24, 2014 16:15:26 GMT -5
Watching The Walton's now I realize they seemed to fall in love at the drop of a hat and end up getting hurt.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2014 17:18:41 GMT -5
Watching The Walton's now I realize they seemed to fall in love at the drop of a hat and end up getting hurt.
You aren't in love with a witch are you?
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Post by nedandres on Sept 24, 2014 20:05:13 GMT -5
Yes, I remember the two Mr. Frenches. I liked "Family Affair" while I was growing up, although I haven't seen it since. I was shocked when Anisa Jones aka Buffy died of a drug overdose.
I actually wrote to Dick Sargent in care of "The Waltons" after his appearance in "The Outrage," and he answered me. I was in "Bewitched" heaven. HA!
It is probably true that John, Olivia, Grandma or Grandpa could not have been replaced. The reason why I think the producers tried to pull it off with John Boy is that his character had already been gone for two seasons, other than Richard's guest appearance in two episodes in season 6. "The Waltons" was always an ensemble show, albeit focusing on John Boy more during the early seasons, but as the children grew up, there would be more shows featuring the different characters. That is why John Boy's loss was possible felt less than it would have been had he left earlier. Plus, Earl Hamner actually left Schuyler in real life to head to New York, as the show was based on his life.
The "Bewitched" cast had no choice but to replace Dick York when his illness made it impossible for him to continue as Darrin in 1969. Other options were considered, but the premise of the show would have made absolutely no sense had Darrin been written out of the show. Samantha's conflict was how to curtail the use of her witchcraft or at least limit it for her love of Darrin. Without Darrin there would have been no "Bewitched".
"The Waltons," on the other hand survived quite well without John Boy. Of course, it was a different show with a different focus, but it continued to touch lives and make "magic" in its own way.
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Post by ruthann on Sept 27, 2014 19:10:12 GMT -5
For me, Richard Thomas cemented that role. I watched very few episodes with the 2nd John Boy. It just wasn't the same.
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