Casting What-Ifs
Keep Robert Hays as Ted, Julie Hagerty as Elaine, and Leslie Nielsen as Rumack
In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 01:01:22Read transcript
- David Letterman auditioned for Ted Striker, but the panel prefers that he was not cast. — Bill Hader
- The studio reportedly pushed Barry Manilow for Ted. — Bill Hader
- Fred Willard reportedly declined Ted because he did not understand the script. — Bill Hader
- Tim Matheson reportedly could not take Ted while filming 1941. — Bill Simmons
- Caitlyn Jenner auditioned for Ted and did not get the role. — Bill Simmons
- Robert Hayes is preferred because he plays the absurdity straight. — Bill Hader
- Sigourney Weaver and Shelley Long auditioned for Elaine before Julie Haggerty was cast. — Bill Hader
- Dom DeLuise, Christopher Lee, Vincent Price, and Jack Webb reportedly declined Doctor Rumack. — Bill Hader
- Leslie Nielsen is preferred for Rumack. — Bill Hader
- Pete Rose was wanted for Roger but baseball scheduling led to Kareem’s casting. — Bill Simmons
- Harriet Nelson was wanted as the jive translator before Barbara Billingsley was cast. — Bill Simmons
- Peter Graves initially rejected the script as tasteless before being persuaded to play Over. — Bill Hader