Just the Ten of Us in My Dreams

I had a strange dream last night that involved Bill Kirchenbauer, better known as the dad from short lived ABC sitcom “Just the Ten of Us.”

I passed him on the street and gave him a sideways glance, excited about seeing him, but wanting to be discrete.  He noticed me and yelled, saying that he was the guy from “Just the Ten of Us” and that he didn’t appreciate me looking at him because he wanted his privacy.

The dream didn’t last long, and I woke up annoyed at this man that I’ve never met.  My anger soon turned to sadness when I googled the show and found out it was canceled after two seasons.  Not because of bad ratings, but due to network politics.

Instead of anger, I’m taking a moment to thank Bill, as well as the entire cast of “Just the Ten of Us,” for two laugh filled seasons and dozens of memories.

As a tribute to the show and everything that Bill Kirchenbauer stands for, I’ve posted its opening theme song.

The next time you’re down on yourself and you think that life couldn’t get any more bleak, repeat the following:  Life is a race and I know I can win it, cause I’m learning the rules of the game.  If I can stay on the ball, take it minute by minute, I just might make the hall of fame.

I do this, and I am highly successful.  It’s no coincidence.

Tossed salads and scrambled eggs

A backburner story coming out of the 2009 Network up-fronts is Kelsey Grammer’s return to network TV, starring in ABC sitcom “Hank.”

“It’s about a CEO who is downsized and has to return home and reconnect with his family, ”producer Tom Werner told the Track. “Only with a lot less money,” 

Grammer is one of the best sitcom actors from the last 30 years, but this show seems like nothing more than early cancellation fodder to be replaced by another hour of “Dancing with the Stars.”  The combination of the premise and the title sound like another throw away that will be listed at the bottom of an article written a couple years from now about the next Kelsey Grammer vehicle.

People Kelsey GrammerMaybe I’m judging prematurely, but it will be tough for this show to overcome the previous success of Grammer in the “Frasier Crane” role.  His last attempt, FOX’s “Back to you,” had him co-starring with Patricia Heaton as newscasters at a fictional Pittsburgh television station.  It lasted one season and was cancelled after mediocre ratings.

Kelsey Grammer’s blessing and curse will always be Frasier Crane.   Over the span of 20 years and two wildly successful TV series, Grammer’s portrayal of the erudite psychologist was engrained in our memories. Most actors would not have the talent or genetic makeup to stretch one character for such a long period without letting their ego get in the way.

There will forever be stories of television actors losing interest in the characters they play after a handful of seasons, yearning to try something new, even if their current gig has given them big money and prominence.  It’s usually an attempt to either become a movie star or avoid being typecast.

Actors are adverse to staying in one role for so long because they yearn for attention themselves.  As an actor becomes merged with an identifiable character, they can never shed themselves of that image.  They need a source of acceptance as the people they are and their abilities, not of a piece of fiction that’s only one example of a variety of characters they can play.  For this reason, actors often become disdainful of the roles that made them famous.  It’s especially ironic since they would not have had a successful career had it not been for their signature character.

I once spoke to a struggling actor about this.  He looked at it from another angle, one that would be fully appreciative.  Instead of being upset that they’re only seen as one character, they would embrace it.  Making it as a working actor is hard enough.  Becoming a performer that people remember is nearly impossible. 

Essentially, every actor wants to make an impact on their audience.  They want to be remembered after they’re gone.  While it’s unfortunate that certain actors never got the chance to show range, at least they’ve made their mark.

Grammer is a prime example of this.  He’s branching out into new roles, which may or may not work, but he will never completely shy away from Frasier Crane, and that seems to be OK with him. 

Maybe I’ll be proven wrong about “Hank,” and it will be what “The New Adventures of Old Christine” is for Julia Louis-Dreyfus.  In the mean time, I’ll watch “Cheers” and “Frasier” Reruns, enjoy his acting, and wish him well.