Profiles in brilliant career moves: MacLean Stevenson

[GOPisEvil]

Leaving "M*A*S*H*" for "Hello, Larry" was a great move! Discuss!

[BigMcLargehuge]

1. I still remember that show LOL

his daughters were cute

[GOPisEvil]

3. Oh yeah!

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/hellolarry.html

[Sandpiper]

2. An equally brilliant move

Was Shelley Long leaving Cheers for her illustrious career in film.

[GOPisEvil]

4. Yes, but both were freed from the ravages of typecasting.

When you watch "Murder at 1600" and see Alan Alda, your first thought is, "Why is Hawkeye such a dick?". Be honest.

[Sandpiper]

8. For me that's not the case

Because I didn't watch MASH very much. ;-)

But yes, I know what you mean.

[Beware the Beast Man]

5. David Caruso comes full circle

Leaves a hit cop show to become a big movie star, only to wind up on a hit cop show a decade later.

[sus]

6. Have you read "MacLean Stevenson: madman or genius?"

it's a REAL eye-opener...

[name not needed]

7. Ron McGovney leaving Metallica

[Fenris]

9. And the same goes for Larry Linville

http://imdb.com/name/nm0513271/

[Bunny]

10. I'll drink to that!

Bye Henry!







Hello Larry!

[chiburb]

11. And leave us not forget the original dim bulb:

Pernell Roberts!!

He landed the role of Adam Cartwright, the oldest son of Ben Cartwright in Bonanza in 1959. This role was pivotal point in his career. Although it gave him vast exposure and popularity as an actor; Pernell was often dissatisfied with the writing and story lines of the show. Pernell often complained that the plots were not complex enough and that women and minorities were not given more equal roles on the show. His restless searching for better, more meaningful roles led to his leaving Bonanza at the peak of popularity at the end of the 1964-65 season. The departure of Adam left an empty place at the huge family table in the Ponderosa ranch house and an empty place in his fan's hearts. Fans who watched the show from the beginning are joined now by fans that have grown to love the show, and Adam, in particular, still prefer the episodes filmed with Adam.

[GOPisEvil]

12. And in the end, he ended up being Trapper John, MD...

...this thread has now gone full circle! :o

[Beware the Beast Man]

13. What about Trapper John, M.D.???

That show was pretty successful...

[chiburb]

14. Yeah, but it was 20 some years between "successes"...

After leaving Bonanza, Pernell's career had its ups and downs. He has appeared in plays and has had various guest star roles in television shows. His longest running role after Bonanza was in 'Trapper John M.D.', in which he played Trapper John McIntyre, a spin-off of the character first seen in M*A*S*H. His most recent role was in 'Diagnosis Murder'. While some consider his post Bonanza career less then successful, Pernell Roberts has maintained his satisfaction with his decision to leave Bonanza and to follow his desire for more challenging roles. Always an independent person, Pernell seems happy with his choices.