DS Forums

 
 

Babs aka Peggy tore up the script!


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 15-08-2013, 11:10
CherryRose
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: #EE#TheCarters
Posts: 11,310

In a recent interview with Inside Soap Perry Fenwick about Peggys return and he stated that Barbara tore up the script and improvised!

If only the rest of the cast would do that when they are given crap scripts.
CherryRose is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 15-08-2013, 11:22
Cal_Scream2
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,701
That means the episode isn't very good.

There's only so much improvisation can improve something.

Cal_Scream2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 11:27
bass55
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: London
Posts: 9,412
Barbara certainly knows Peggy better than the current writers do, so I don't blame her.
bass55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 11:31
Styker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 28,304
In a recent interview with Inside Soap Perry Fenwick about Peggys return and he stated that Barbara tore up the script and improvised!

If only the rest of the cast would do that when they are given crap scripts.
It doesn't always mean that the actors will "improve things" by doing such things. I doubt very much that they personally re-write an entire episode and from previous times I've heard of things like this happening with other programmes, I think it made the character worse and the character leaving for good.

In this case its just a re-appearance and while Windsor might have been in EE when it was better, I'd say she came in after Grant and Phil's best days where behind them. They where still good generally but where much better in the early 90's before she came in imo.
Styker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 11:45
scone
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 13,749
Sorry but is Babs Windsor an oscar winning actress or am I missing something?
scone is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 11:45
Cuddly_Cat
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,740
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2...ys-return.html

I like Barbara Windsor. I dislike battle axe Peggy who is played brilliantly by her. I hope it's only for one episode as Peggy is horrible!
Cuddly_Cat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 11:56
kitkat1971
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 23,466
If true, I actually find that incredibly arrogant and rather concerning. If she had concerns about that it was out of character, she should have raised them with the script writers and got them to perform a rewrite, perhaps with her having made suggestions. At the end of the day, they are professional writers and she is not one. Even if she managed to make Peggy's part better because she knows her inside out, what about the lines for the characters she is interacting with - they don't matter I suppose.

It is a main reason that if actors are allowed to write or direct episodes of their own shows, they are invariable don't feature their own character due to the inevitable bias and also, they have usually had to take professional courses before hand. Look and James Houghton and John Pleshette in Knots Landing or even Leonard Nimoy in 'The Search for Spock' - Spock proper only appears in one scene and has I think 2 lines?
kitkat1971 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:02
The Queen Vic
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,916
That means the episode isn't very good.

There's only so much improvisation can improve something.

I disagree.

As an actor-in-training, I find improvisation to be incredibly useful and helpful for the scene.
The Queen Vic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:09
Styker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 28,304
If true, I actually find that incredibly arrogant and rather concerning. If she had concerns about that it was out of character, she should have raised them with the script writers and got them to perform a rewrite, perhaps with her having made suggestions. At the end of the day, they are professional writers and she is not one. Even if she managed to make Peggy's part better because she knows her inside out, what about the lines for the characters she is interacting with - they don't matter I suppose.

It is a main reason that if actors are allowed to write or direct episodes of their own shows, they are invariable don't feature their own character due to the inevitable bias and also, they have usually had to take professional courses before hand. Look and James Houghton and John Pleshette in Knots Landing or even Leonard Nimoy in 'The Search for Spock' - Spock proper only appears in one scene and has I think 2 lines?
I remember seeing a behind the scenes clip on Friends somehwhere and they showed a bit where some of the crew seemed to be asking Mathew Perry as to what to do on a certain part of the script. He seemed to react in my view as if it wasn't his job to do so but then came up with a gag that I didn't find funny but it was done and when they audience laughed a bit at it, the look on Perry's face irked me. Like he was satisfied that his joke "worked" but still a bit annoyed at being asked to do it.

In the 90's I remember reading somewhere that an actor in Bevery Hills 90210 started to say "ERRR CUT, CUT" when reading the scripts and that person eventually left I think. I had gone off that character/actor long before then too.
Styker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:09
benjymerlin
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: In a pineapple under the sea!
Posts: 1,297
I don't know whether its true but I heard Adam (Ian Beale, dunno how to spell his surname) improvises a lot.
benjymerlin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:21
BazingaBazinga
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 134
In a recent interview with Inside Soap Perry Fenwick about Peggys return and he stated that Barbara tore up the script and improvised!

If only the rest of the cast would do that when they are given crap scripts.
Trying to get above her station again

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...a-Thurman.html
BazingaBazinga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:21
kitkat1971
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 23,466
I remember seeing a behind the scenes clip on Friends somehwhere and they showed a bit where some of the crew seemed to be asking Mathew Perry as to what to do on a certain part of the script. He seemed to react in my view as if it wasn't his job to do so but then came up with a gag that I didn't find funny but it was done and when they audience laughed a bit at it, the look on Perry's face irked me. Like he was satisfied that his joke "worked" but still a bit annoyed at being asked to do it.

In the 90's I remember reading somewhere that an actor in Bevery Hills 90210 started to say "ERRR CUT, CUT" when reading the scripts and that person eventually left I think. I had gone off that character/actor long before then too.
I think that sitcoms can be a little different - especially those filmed in front of an audience because a lot of it is about timing (which is down to the actor) and judging the audience's reaction. Also, they have read throughs with the actors, writers and directors all present where they can make a group decision as to what works and what doesn't - changes can then be made and agreed on So, I don't really have a problem with actors being asked their opinions or for suggestions if they know their character well and have a good mind for snappy dialogue but I feel that it really has to be done alongside the writer and with their approval. To just rip someone else's work up (when in all likelihood they weren't asked about it and their name still appears on the end credits) is as I say very arrogant and rude and also possibly no better than what was there before.

Improv and ad iobbing - again it might depend on the extent of it. Changing the odd word or sentence construction to make it fit with the character's established speech patterns or make it more realistic for the area they are in is one thing. Joan Collins used to be able to change a lot in Dynasty with the excuse 'Alexis is English, this has been written by an American and an English person would never used that word' for example and she probably did make it better. But to change so much that the original meaning of the dialogue is lost or it throws the other actor in the scene off course because they have learnt a script that is now not being followed is a bit off in my opinion.
kitkat1971 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:28
Paul_Newman
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 79
If true, I actually find that incredibly arrogant and rather concerning. If she had concerns about that it was out of character, she should have raised them with the script writers and got them to perform a rewrite, perhaps with her having made suggestions. At the end of the day, they are professional writers and she is not one. Even if she managed to make Peggy's part better because she knows her inside out, what about the lines for the characters she is interacting with - they don't matter I suppose.

It is a main reason that if actors are allowed to write or direct episodes of their own shows, they are invariable don't feature their own character due to the inevitable bias and also, they have usually had to take professional courses before hand. Look and James Houghton and John Pleshette in Knots Landing or even Leonard Nimoy in 'The Search for Spock' - Spock proper only appears in one scene and has I think 2 lines?
Exactly, you start by saying "If True"! The magic "if"! Do we know how many words were changed? Did she really" tear up the script" as such? Are we sure that she did not actually discuss the situation with the director or writers before it happened? Do we know if the changes were only for the benefit of Windsors own character or is there a possibility that it was for the right reasons she asked for changes? Maybe it was better for Perry in the scene? No, Windsor is not an Oscar award winning actress (most of the cast are not either), but I guess she has a lot of experience. The fact is we are assuming that because Perry said that in an interview, that it was for a negative or big headed reason. I'd like to know the actual facts better I start assuming its a chance to sound off!
Paul_Newman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:37
Paul_Newman
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 79
Interesting and yes I will defend Windsor on here as I've always followed her career and Im a big admirer of hers and her ilk of longevity type performers. Did you see the follow up piece in The Sun the day after this story was published. It said that in fact the American writers of the musical they were attending had recognized Windsor from her early stage career on Broadway (New York) and they introduced her to SJP and Uma Thur. There were also loads of other photos from that night.....I saw one of SJP introducing her son to Bab's. So The Sun took one photo and said it was a photobomb!!!! Hmmmmm....and you take the chance to accuse her of getting above her station. Not another jealous actor are you? Or someone with a personal grudge?? Sounds like it to me!!
Paul_Newman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:42
Cal_Scream2
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6,701
I remember seeing a behind the scenes clip on Friends somehwhere and they showed a bit where some of the crew seemed to be asking Mathew Perry as to what to do on a certain part of the script. He seemed to react in my view as if it wasn't his job to do so but then came up with a gag that I didn't find funny but it was done and when they audience laughed a bit at it, the look on Perry's face irked me. Like he was satisfied that his joke "worked" but still a bit annoyed at being asked to do it.

In the 90's I remember reading somewhere that an actor in Bevery Hills 90210 started to say "ERRR CUT, CUT" when reading the scripts and that person eventually left I think. I had gone off that character/actor long before then too.
I believe it was a line that Perry made up describing Ross and Rachel's Vegas wedding about how they were two bottles of vodka working round in human form .

And I think Windsor is being a little arrogant. Considering she said in an interview that 'she's worried about the guest stint'
Cal_Scream2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:46
BazingaBazinga
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 134
Interesting and yes I will defend Windsor on here as I've always followed her career and Im a big admirer of hers and her ilk of longevity type performers. Did you see the follow up piece in The Sun the day after this story was published. It said that in fact the American writers of the musical they were attending had recognized Windsor from her early stage career on Broadway (New York) and they introduced her to SJP and Uma Thur. There were also loads of other photos from that night.....I saw one of SJP introducing her son to Bab's. So The Sun took one photo and said it was a photobomb!!!! Hmmmmm....and you take the chance to accuse her of getting above her station. Not another jealous actor are you? Or someone with a personal grudge?? Sounds like it to me!!
No it's well known she has become another Biggin's Sad to see she never used to be I guess not being in a soap she needs the admiration more to feel part of the ''celeb scene''. Thought she retired to spend more time out the spotlight between bingo
BazingaBazinga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:56
Paul_Newman
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 79
No it's well known she has become another Biggin's Sad to see she never used to be I guess not being in a soap she needs the admiration more to feel part of the ''celeb scene''. Thought she retired to spend more time out the spotlight between bingo
Hysterical!!!
Paul_Newman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 12:59
The_abbott
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ronnie's bed
Posts: 20,574
I used to love a show called Friday Night Lights which every acor ad libbed their own lines as long as they stuck to the main parts of the script they were allowed) but it did make it more realistic.
The_abbott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 13:03
Styker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 28,304
I think that sitcoms can be a little different - especially those filmed in front of an audience because a lot of it is about timing (which is down to the actor) and judging the audience's reaction. Also, they have read throughs with the actors, writers and directors all present where they can make a group decision as to what works and what doesn't - changes can then be made and agreed on So, I don't really have a problem with actors being asked their opinions or for suggestions if they know their character well and have a good mind for snappy dialogue but I feel that it really has to be done alongside the writer and with their approval. To just rip someone else's work up (when in all likelihood they weren't asked about it and their name still appears on the end credits) is as I say very arrogant and rude and also possibly no better than what was there before.

Improv and ad iobbing - again it might depend on the extent of it. Changing the odd word or sentence construction to make it fit with the character's established speech patterns or make it more realistic for the area they are in is one thing. Joan Collins used to be able to change a lot in Dynasty with the excuse 'Alexis is English, this has been written by an American and an English person would never used that word' for example and she probably did make it better. But to change so much that the original meaning of the dialogue is lost or it throws the other actor in the scene off course because they have learnt a script that is now not being followed is a bit off in my opinion.

Yeah some good point there. I do think actors are almost by definition very adaptable/versartile in what they can do so the onus should be more on the script writers to get it right but it can't hurt too much asking the actors for their take as long as the actors don't try and go for a "veto" on the script that is.

I remember hearing/watching that one of the main players behind Only Fools and Horses wanted Jim Broadbent to play the part of Del Boy and wasn't keen on David Jason, it might have been the writer of Only Fools himself who wanted Broadbent to play that role I think and I can see how Broadbent could have easily have played that part well too instead of dodgy Roy Slater.
Styker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 13:06
Styker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 28,304
I believe it was a line that Perry made up describing Ross and Rachel's Vegas wedding about how they were two bottles of vodka working round in human form .

And I think Windsor is being a little arrogant. Considering she said in an interview that 'she's worried about the guest stint'
I can't remember the episode or gag it was from but the general clip I do remember.
Styker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 13:26
The Jordan Show
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,965
That's actually quite disrespectful from a writers standpoint.
The Jordan Show is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 13:31
Paul_Newman
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 79
That's actually quite disrespectful of her from a writers standpoint.
Go on, Get Outta My Conversation
Paul_Newman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 13:48
The Jordan Show
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,965
Go on, Get Outta My Conversation
Oh, no, I didn't read your conversation, I was referring to Babs ripping up the script.
The Jordan Show is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 14:01
lotty27
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: In the wine cellar *hic*
Posts: 17,562
In a recent interview with Inside Soap Perry Fenwick about Peggys return and he stated that Barbara tore up the script and improvised!

If only the rest of the cast would do that when they are given crap scripts.
Although I understand all the arguments that it's disrespectful to the writer, what about the other actors (who knows? Maybe they enjoyed improvising back?) etc I have to admit that I find this rather amusing

I doubt anyone knows her character like Babs does. Writers/producers have come and gone but she's been constant. What if the writer of this episode had been a bit shoddy re their homework on Peggy? Not bothered to look too hard at the way that Peggy previously spoke and behaved and just wrote it as they saw fit? If so I'm actually glad Barbara did this! Says a lot for current EE IMO.

Or perhaps she was just having a diva moment!
lotty27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15-08-2013, 14:14
dancing.queen
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: The kitchen, eating a biscuit
Posts: 9,757
Barbara is so disrespectful, what makes her think her screaching is any better than the writers?
dancing.queen is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 13:31.