Ted Danson says goodbye to "Becker"
David
Danson Says Goodbye to 'Becker'
By Jay Bobbin
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Parting is sweet sorrow for Ted Danson.
Again.
After his 11-year run as Sam Malone on the classic sitcom "Cheers,"
the Emmy-winning actor is bidding farewell to the role of perpetually
cranky New York City doctor John Becker. The CBS series "Becker" is
ending after six seasons, with its final telecast scheduled for
Wednesday, Jan. 28. (Repeats of the show will remain in syndication.)
Danson says the cast and crew knew "Becker" was over when filming
finished just before Christmas, but the network s official
announcement of the show's cancellation last week still is bittersweet
for him. (CBS Entertainment president Nancy Tellem told reporters
Sunday that she'll "never say never" to the show's return, but the
network won't be ordering any more episodes for this season, at
least.)
"I miss going to work, I miss my friends there, and I miss that
character," Danson says. "Last summer, when we were not picked up to
start the season -- and then picked up -- it was clear that we were
not the flavor of the month. I think all the 'How dare they?' had gone
out of us, and we were just grateful for the opportunity to come back
as a group and end the show on a graceful note."
The last two seasons of "Becker" re-teamed Danson with Nancy Travis,
who had worked with him previously in the movies "Three Men and a
Baby" and "Three Men and a Little Lady." "I thought she was
wonderful," Danson says of his co-star. "She really perked up the
show; her unfailingly-optimistic-in-the-face-of-Becker attitude was a
great change.
"The last 13 episodes, we really played relationship comedy. We just
went for it, and it was fun to see Becker truly trying to do the right
thing but failing miserably. I loved the writing. Becker was a really
complicated, interesting character."
It won t be long before Danson is back on CBS; he and his wife, Oscar
winner Mary Steenburgen ("Joan of Arcadia"), play a long-married
couple in the movie "It Must Be Love," scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 15.
The potential for other new projects is soothing the wound of losing
"Becker," Danson concedes: "As an actor, my ears are slightly perking
up, wondering what s next."
Matt Ackeret
David <diml...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>from zap2it
>
>Danson Says Goodbye to 'Becker'
>By Jay Bobbin
>
>LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Parting is sweet sorrow for Ted Danson.
>Again.
>
>After his 11-year run as Sam Malone on the classic sitcom "Cheers,"
>the Emmy-winning actor is bidding farewell to the role of perpetually
>cranky New York City doctor John Becker. The CBS series "Becker" is
>ending after six seasons, with its final telecast scheduled for
>Wednesday, Jan. 28. (Repeats of the show will remain in syndication.)
How many episodes have there been this year? Not many.. aaah, 13 I guess
from Danson's mention of the "last 13 episodes"..?
>Danson says the cast and crew knew "Becker" was over when filming
>finished just before Christmas, but the network s official
>announcement of the show's cancellation last week still is bittersweet
>for him.
I think this is one of the most underrated shows on TV. It's not absolutely
the funniest show ever, but it is very funny and has entertaining
characters. (Well, the new guy this season isn't great.)
Karik12
it was one of the most unappreciated and misunderstood shows on tv these past
few years. Consistantly they not only got laughs, but dealt with real and
important subjects. Just tonight on the syndicated episode Becker had more
good things to say about sex education for kids than I've seen anywhere in the
media for years. They dealt with political correctness, racism, the existance
of God, to name but a few. I've been booed for liking this show over the years
so I quit posting here, but say what you will, it was one of the smartest shows
out there.
Ryan
I haven't watched since they fired Terry but no show that's been around that
long (and can still get decent ratings) should be treated like crap. Like
"The Stones" will do much better.
--
Ryan
David
(Matt Ackeret) wrote:
>I think this is one of the most underrated shows on TV. It's not absolutely
>the funniest show ever, but it is very funny and has entertaining
>characters. (Well, the new guy this season isn't great.)
I thought the show started out funny when it was basically Becker vs.
whatever's bothering him this week but the supporting characters never
interested me and when Becker softened up (or maybe the character just
got tired) it lost me.
He Hate Retards
You don't have to tell me. I've been watching since the first season. But I
stopped watching ever since Nancy Travis came aboard and ruined the show.
"If life were like a box of chocolates, everyone would be black and expire in 2
years."
David
"The Stones" could probably do just as well considering there's no
sitcom competition at that time, plus being a rookie show it should
also be cheaper. CBS has an embarrassment of riches right now so they
don't really need a long-running show that only performs decently.
aemilia
I loved the show until the minute Nancy Travis showed up. She is so
annoying, like fingernails on a chalkboard. I can't watch her.
aemilia
Andy Jakcsy
<<
>from zap2it
>
>Danson Says Goodbye to 'Becker'
>By Jay Bobbin
>
>LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Parting is sweet sorrow for Ted Danson.
>Again.
>
>After his 11-year run as Sam Malone on the classic sitcom "Cheers,"
>the Emmy-winning actor is bidding farewell to the role of perpetually
>cranky New York City doctor John Becker. The CBS series "Becker" is
>ending after six seasons, with its final telecast scheduled for
>Wednesday, Jan. 28. (Repeats of the show will remain in syndication.)
>
>>
His choice or CBS's?
<<
>Danson says the cast and crew knew "Becker" was over when filming
>finished just before Christmas, but the network's official
>announcement of the show's cancellation last week still is bittersweet
>for him.
>>
Ok. Got it.
Quit grumbling. So Kelsey Grammer's better known now. Suck it up and find
some semblance of a film career...
----
"Honey, Shepherd's putting his hair away now."
"It doesn't matter. It'll still be there. Waiting."
Zoe & River, about Book's Einstein hair, Firefly: "Jaynestown"
Mac Breck
message news:Du0Pb.104110$na.58860@attbi_s04...
> This makes me sad.
>
> I haven't watched since they fired Terry
Was it ever stated why they fired Terry? That's got to be
the dumbest move, ever.
> but no show that's been around that
> long (and can still get decent ratings) should be treated
like crap. Like
> "The Stones" will do much better.
Well, they moved to that awful Wednesday timeslot (So far
I've only been able to catch 3 of 11 Season 6 episodes.),
and it still gets decent ratings? What do they expect from
it when they move it and cut loose two popular characters?
--
Mac Breck (KoshN) - from the desktop PC
-------------------------------
http://www.scifi.com/babylon5/
http://www.scifi.com/crusade/
http://www.scifi.com/bboard/browse.cgi/1/5/1521 (Brimstone)
Mac Breck
message news:20040119214948...@mb-m26.aol.com...
> You don't have to tell me. I've been watching since the
first season. But I
> stopped watching ever since Nancy Travis came aboard and
ruined the show.
It wasn't "ruined" until this season when Bob left and the
new guy showed up. That said, my favorite seasons are
definitely 1 thru 4.
Jeffy3
Never saw her because I stopped watching before she came on. They
forgot to make some of the characters funny, which is a crime for a
sitcom. Terry Farrell's character wasn't funny at all.
Mac Breck
news:ae6397ac.04012...@posting.google.com...
Most of the time, Reggie was in on the setup of the other
characters in the jokes, or to put them in their place
(mostly Bob, sometimes Jake, and Becker, e.g. in "Lucky
Day"), but in some episodes like "Shovel Off to Buffalo"
(with her exploding bag of peanuts and pure frustration),
she was funny. In all cases, she was certainly easy on the
eyes (statuesque, gorgeous) and easy on the ears (a nice,
smooth voice, *unlike* Chris).
Reggie may not have been as intrinsically funny as some of
the other characters, but IMO, her absence leaves a gaping
hole in seasons 5 & 6.
Slayah
>
>David reportz:
>
><<
>>from zap2it
>>
>>Danson Says Goodbye to 'Becker'
>>By Jay Bobbin
>>
>>LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Parting is sweet sorrow for Ted Danson.
>>Again.
>>
>>After his 11-year run as Sam Malone on the classic sitcom "Cheers,"
>>the Emmy-winning actor is bidding farewell to the role of perpetually
>>cranky New York City doctor John Becker. The CBS series "Becker" is
>>ending after six seasons, with its final telecast scheduled for
>>Wednesday, Jan. 28. (Repeats of the show will remain in syndication.)
>>
>>>
>
>His choice or CBS's?
>
><<
>>Danson says the cast and crew knew "Becker" was over when filming
>>finished just before Christmas, but the network's official
>>announcement of the show's cancellation last week still is bittersweet
>>for him.
>>>
>
>Ok. Got it.
>
>Quit grumbling. So Kelsey Grammer's better known now. Suck it up and find
>some semblance of a film career...
How about another Gulliver's Travels, he was good in that.
David
"Three Men and a 20-year-old"
DuckTwist
>it when they move it and cut loose two popular characters?
On the Becker board on AOL, there's someone who claims to be the sister-in-law
of the guy who played Bob. She says he wasn't fired. She says leaving the show
was his choice because he had other projects he wanted to do. I thought he was
funny on Becker, but the new guy was kind of growing on me. As for Travis and
Farrell, I'd probably go with Travis. She was at least funny. But let's talk
about Shawnee Smith. Funny AND the best body ever! I think I'll miss her the
most.
Steve Newport
Re: Ted Danson says goodbye to "Becker"
djax...@aol.computer (Andy Jakcsy)
And possibly off to Broadway to star in a musical. I'll miss the BECKER
character. I wont miss the FRASIER character. Or the show.
Steve Newport
kar...@aol.com (Karik12) I think it was one of the most unappreciated
and misunderstood shows on tv these past few years.
I agree and Danson has never been better.
Steve Newport
diml...@yahoo.com (David)
Hattie Winston's Margaret has really come into her own in recent
seasons. Enough to warrant an Emmy nom.
Steve Newport
macthe...@yahoo.com (Mac Breck)
Because people kept asking why this super-model couldn't at least get
her diner a new paint job?
Slayah
>>How about another Gulliver's Travels, he was good in that.
>
>"Three Men and a 20-year-old"
LOL. I do believe I'd tune in.
Doug Mehus
> from zap2it
>
> Danson Says Goodbye to 'Becker'
> By Jay Bobbin
>
> LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Parting is sweet sorrow for Ted Danson.
> Again.
>
> After his 11-year run as Sam Malone on the classic sitcom "Cheers,"
> the Emmy-winning actor is bidding farewell to the role of perpetually
> cranky New York City doctor John Becker. The CBS series "Becker" is
> ending after six seasons, with its final telecast scheduled for
> Wednesday, Jan. 28. (Repeats of the show will remain in syndication.)
<--- I've been watching "Becker" since season one and only missed the
odd episode. I can probably count on one hand the number of episodes
I've missed. I have always liked it.
Sure, it didn't get as good of ratings as it did in the cooshy
post-"Raymond" slot, but it proved it can hold its own and still
garner 11 million viewers on average in the Wednesday at 9:30 PM
timeslot. Not too many sitcoms can say that. Heck, most of its
episodes this season either tied or beat "Frasier" and its 10 to 11
million viewer range.
Yes, the sitcom went down dramatically with the unannounced, abrupt
departure of Bob, and to a certain extent, the demise can be also
blamed on that. However, the demise can actually be blamed on three
things, all working against it:
* The disastrous move to Sundays at 8:30 PM last season, following
"Bram & Alice," arguably the worst sitcom CBS has debuted in a decade.
CBS tried to stem the loss by moving "Becker" to Sundays at 8 PM by
midseason last year, but the damage had been done. It had lost a good
chunk of its viewership -- CBS had simply stuck their finger in the
hole and stopped the bleeding.
* The uncertainty over Becker's future by making it a midseason
replacement and then bumping it up to a fall start with only a
half-season order led a certain amount of fans to leave the series.
This was largely offset by Becker's ability to retain an adequate,
although not great, percentage of the "Queens" lead-in. (The King of
Queens is the best sitcom on TV, in my opinion.)
* The loss of Terry Farrell at the end of season four, made worse by
the fact she was fired. This outraged many people. Nancy Travis'
character became argumentative and disruptive to the show. She was no
longer the likable anti-Becker. In a sense, she was the splitting
image of Becker. This changed in season six when she was returned to
her old, likable self, but it created yet more confusion.
I'll miss this show. But, not as much as Ms. Farrell's departure.
Sure, she wasn't funny but she added a good balance to the show and
provided an interesting dynamic.
Becker had a good run.
Maybe he'll join the cast of "Joan of Arcadia" in a recurring role,
perhaps playing a teacher at the high school? Or bet yet, that
mean-spirited Mr. Price character could be fired as principal and Ted
Danson could come on board as the new principal. He would then be Mary
Steenburgen's new boss (since she plays a school secretary... oops,
administrative assistant).
All the best,
Doug
David
>* The disastrous move to Sundays at 8:30 PM last season, following
>"Bram & Alice," arguably the worst sitcom CBS has debuted in a decade.
>CBS tried to stem the loss by moving "Becker" to Sundays at 8 PM by
>midseason last year, but the damage had been done. It had lost a good
>chunk of its viewership -- CBS had simply stuck their finger in the
>hole and stopped the bleeding.
I'm almost certain it had never aired at 8:30. I think CBS moved it to
8 before the season started.
Karik12
Saverio Guerra was funny as Bob. But it was really his choice to leave the
show? Amazing. Isn't that what Radar on MASH did? Wonder what happened to
him?
Doug Mehus
> 8 before the season started.
<--- Oops, yes you're right
(http://www.cbs.com/primetime/fall_preview_2002/).
Speaking of which, I *really* wish CBS would remove the websites for
the cancelled shows from their Web server. They used to, so it puzzles
me why sites like "Charlie Lawrence," "Bram & Alice," "Touched by an
Angel," "Presidio Med," etc. are still online. They should completely
purge them.
Also, why won't CBS use a proper titling scheme on their website? All
their pages read either CBS or CBS.com. They should use the format
"CBS - <SHOW NAME GOES HERE> - <SUB PAGE GOES HERE>".
Ah well,
Doug
Default User
Becker was a show that was already canceled once, brought back on
life-support, and had almost zero chance of coming back next year.
Taking another job made perfect sense. As you could see, what would
another 13 episodes have done for his career?
Brian Rodenborn
Karik12
Good point. But if I had a job acting on a television show, I'd keep it. If
I'm to believe what I read in the papers, jobs that pay like that don't come
along very often. And I haven't read where he's doing anything new. You
wonder how many roles there are for actors who play little weasels. But, like
you say, it doesn't matter at this point.
David Levy
> I *really* wish CBS would remove the websites for the cancelled
> shows from their Web server.
Why?
> They used to,
CBS? The network that left its "Thanks" page up for close to two
years?
> so it puzzles me why sites like "Charlie Lawrence," "Bram &
> Alice," "Touched by an Angel," "Presidio Med," etc. are still
> online. They should completely purge them.
If you don't wish to view these pages, why seek them out? If you
simply ignore them, what harm does their presence cause?
> Also, why won't CBS use a proper titling scheme on their website? All
> their pages read either CBS or CBS.com. They should use the format
> "CBS - <SHOW NAME GOES HERE> - <SUB PAGE GOES HERE>".
And how about adding an apostrophe to the main image from the 404
error page?
Matt Ackeret
David <diml...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>I thought the show started out funny when it was basically Becker vs.
>whatever's bothering him this week but the supporting characters never
>interested me and when Becker softened up (or maybe the character just
>got tired) it lost me.
I think mostly the character got tired to you.
I think he's almost as (what I think other people would consider) "cranky" as
usual. There's been a very slight softening, but I'd put it more as
actual character growth, rather than trying to make him someone that
more viewers would like.
Matt Ackeret
He Hate Retards <drpim...@aol.computer.fu> wrote:
>You don't have to tell me. I've been watching since the first season. But I
>stopped watching ever since Nancy Travis came aboard and ruined the show.
While I still think that Terry Farrell was treated unfairly, this show
comes close to The Practice in recent fairly major cast changes while
still remaining very good. ("er" has had a greater cast turnover, but not
as many at a time.)
He Hate Retards
>comes close to The Practice in recent fairly major cast changes while
>still remaining very good. ("er" has had a greater cast turnover, but not
>as many at a time.)
>
How was she written out anyways? I remember her falling in love with Becker and
giving him hints.... and the next thing I know, she was gone and Nancy was
running the restaurant.
Steve Newport
mat...@vax.hanford.org (Matt Ackeret)
"cranky" as usual. There's been a very slight softening, but I'd put it
more as actual character growth
And he's never really been as cranky as most New Yorkers.
David
Newport) wrote:
>
>mat...@vax.hanford.org (Matt=A0Ackeret)
>I think he's almost as (what I think other people would consider)
>"cranky" as usual. There's been a very slight softening, but I'd put it
>more as actual character growth
>---------------------------------------
>And he's never really been as cranky as most New Yorkers.
And New Yorkers have never been as cranky as that stereotype
Steve Newport
diml...@yahoo.com (David)
<<<He's never really been as cranky as most New Yorkers.>>>
------------------------------
My experience is different. How long did you live there?
David
Newport) wrote:
>
>diml...@yahoo.com (David)
><<<He's never really been as cranky as most New Yorkers.>>>
>------------------------------
>And New Yorkers have never been as cranky as that stereotype
>-------------------------------
>My experience is different. How long did you live there?
All my life (and still do). Ever think that maybe it's you? You sure
have managed to make people cranky around here.
ANIM8Rfsk
<< How was she written out anyways? I remember her falling in love with Becker
and
giving him hints.... and the next thing I know, she was gone >>
She left a note, that falling in love with Becker was ucky or something.
Mac Breck
news:20040121110234...@mb-m14.aol.com...
Wasn't it all done with via a phone call, where some unknown
(a customer) answered the phone and it was Reggie? They did
it the cheap way, not even using Terry for the voice, and
instead had the unknown repeat her words. It was really
cheap and awful, the way they did it.
Steve Newport
diml...@yahoo.com (David)
<<<He's never really been as cranky as most New Yorkers.>>>
-----------------------
Oh, I don't think I can take credit for THAT. LOL.
Steve Newport
macthe...@yahoo.com (Mac Breck)
customer) answered the phone and it was Reggie?
And older black man. Very funny. I was hoping he'd become a regular.
What I missed was *just how* Chris got to run the abandoned diner.
Really contrived.
Doug Mehus
> What I missed was *just how* Chris got to run the abandoned diner.
> Really contrived.
<--- I wondered that too. At first I thought, isn't she basically
stealing the diner from Reggie? Then I realized, well maybe she just
signed a new lease with the building owner. However, if Reggie
actually owned the building, then I'm not sure how she could legally
run the abandoned diner.
If Reggie ever did come back, she may be have a civil case against
Chris for theft. ;)
Cheers,
Doug
Karik12
wanted to. But let's talk about last night's episode. I think that was the
first time I saw any comedy show deal so directly with 9/11. It was really
powerful. And who was that actress? Might it have been the same lady who
played Cliff's mom on Cheers? Anyway, IMHO, Becker was a great show last
night.
natch
> diml...@yahoo.com (David)
> <<<He's never really been as cranky as most New Yorkers.>>>
> ------------------------------
> And New Yorkers have never been as cranky as that stereotype
> -------------------------------
> My experience is different. How long did you live there?
>
>
Default User
>
> Okay, so it's gone after next week. Nothing we can do about that, even if we
> wanted to. But let's talk about last night's episode. I think that was the
> first time I saw any comedy show deal so directly with 9/11. It was really
> powerful. And who was that actress?
Frances Sternhagen, she's been in lots of stuff. Carter's grandmother on
ER, for instance.
> Might it have been the same lady who played Cliff's mom on Cheers?
Yep.
Brian Rodenborn
Windodrsr
saw any comedy show deal so directly with 9/11. It was really powerful.
I agree. It was a rare mixing of comedy and drama. Watching the reruns on
WGN, I've noticed that they do that every so often. Last night's story about
the woman who's son died at the World Trade Center was very good.
Mac Breck
news:20040122104950...@mb-m10.aol.com...
> Okay, so it's gone after next week. Nothing we can do
about that, even if we
> wanted to. But let's talk about last night's episode. I
think that was the
> first time I saw any comedy show deal so directly with
9/11. It was really
last
> night.
Did the episode run late? According to my VCR, Becker
started 48 seconds late, and my VCR cut off the ending 13
seconds after she put her head on Becker's shoulder (no end
credits), and I'd just sync'd-up my VCR clock (to the
second). With the syndicated episodes on UPN and WGN, I'm
usually within a couple seconds of a perfect sync.
Steve Newport
na...@my-deja.com (natch)
<<<New Yorkers have never been as cranky as that stereotype My
experience is different.>>>
-----------------------------
I lived in NYC and just outside of it for most of my adult life.
(1974-2001.) I preferred "just outside." I do not heart New York, and I
especially don't heart New Yorkers. Having said that, I think Becker is
a great creation. The most accurate fifty-something male character on
TV. And Danson does it superbly.
Steve Newport
the original star of PIPPIN and CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, and Frances
Sternhagen, who was also Kristin Davis' mother-in-law on SEX AND THE
CITY. She won Tonys for everything from Neil Simon to THE HEIRESS. Her
Tony nominations even include a musical version of LOOK, HOMEWARD ANGEL.
My wife (we both saw her many times on the NY stage) turned to me after
the show was over and said "She's still got it." I'm going to miss
BECKER.
Karik12
>seconds after she put her head on Becker's shoulder
That was almost the very end. As I remember they moved the camera back and
showed them sitting there as activity picked up around them, music played, and
even my husband cried. Wow.
TwoSoSan
was very touching. I think Becker's always been unappreciated. It's smart and
funny. Smart comedies are getting harder and harder to find. And since it just
got canceled, I guess I'm one of the few who like that kind of show. Oh, well.
Steve Newport
twos...@aol.com (TwoSoSan)
I agree. I think Becker's always been unappreciated. It's smart and
funny. Smart comedies are getting harder and harder to find.
Smart shows, period. Especially those that are smart in a grown-up,
non-twinkie way.