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