In almost every TV show and in many movies and books, there is a "boss" onset. Sometimes they make an impression, others not so much.I always liked Ed Asner's portrayal of Lou Grant. He was a character with some flaws to him. The writers gave him a personal life of his own--supporting characters don't always get to go through divorces, drinking problems, and career disappointments on sit-coms. And Asner had the acting chops to pull it off.
Who's your favorite boss on TV, in books or in the movies? Not that you necessarily would care to work for them. Just who sticks in your mind.
30 comments:
I'm with you. Lou Grant comes to mind immediately. I remember an episode where he wanted Mary to know what good writing sounded like, so he read her the opening paragraph to Chandler's "Red Wind." Asner was perfectly cast.
Lou Grant was a wonderful choice because he was so real and Asner did a great job.
Favorite line: "I hate spunk!"
Have you noticed that a large number of bosses on police shows these days tend to be black women? I don't think that is particularly reflective of real life.
Jeff M.
I don't remember him reading that, Dana. Wish I could dial up that episode.
Yes, that was in the first episode and what a strong first episode that was.
Yes, he read the Chandler to show Mary what good writing sounded like.
Jackie votes (after Lou Grant) for Harry Morgan as Col. Potter in MASH.
Jeff
Phil voted for Michael on THE OFFICE.
Well, if I can't pick Lou Grant, then I'll go with Robert Guillaume as Isaac Jaffe in Aaron Sorkin's short-lived Sports Night.
Great show and I remember he had a stroke mid season.
I'd never want to work for Bertha Cool (from Erle Stanley Gardner's Cool & Lam series) but she sure is memorable. Penny-pinching, brash, street-wise, overweight, and micro-managing. But fry me for an oyster! She's memorable. I always wanted to see Shelly Winters cast as Bertha in a movie. Too late for that now, but Kathy Bates would be a good choice, too.
Yes, Kathy Bates could do it perfectly. Excellent suggestion.
Jeff M.
I agree with Jackie - Harry Morgan as Col. Potter in MASH. I'd also mention McGarrett form the original Hawaii 50.
Kathy Bates is currently the Big Boss on THE OFFICE.
The GALAXY tabloid editor in TRUST ME ON THIS by Donald Westlake...his office was in a huge elevator, so that he could appear at will on any floor unexpectedly...
I love it. What a mind!
Nobody going to choose Nancy Marchand on the Low Grant show, playing Katherine Graham, I guess. She was terrific in that or any part.
If you're a connoisseur of horrifying bosses, there's always Leo in Herb Gardner's play A Thousand Clowns. What a sadistic bag of neuroses.
The boss on Office Space nails a certain kind of contemporary honcho. Agreed on Lou Grant. Who else -- what? What?
For your consideration: Louis DePalma, Taxi, Al Searengen, Deadwood, Tony Soprano, The Sopranos, Patty Hewes, Damages, Captain Kirk, Star Trek, Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock.
Col. Potter, yes. BARNEY MILLER, for sure.
Oh, good one, Ron.
I remember Grant reading the excerpt from Chandler, but It wasn't from RED WIND (isn't that a Hammett title?) It was the line about the hot Santa Ana winds and the meek housewife testing the edge of a carving knife while studying her husband's neck. I should know the source of that but my mind is a blank. I remember Mary's reply: "He writes well about the weather."
Favorite boss? M from James Bond.
RED WIND is Chandler. The quote comes from that story:
"There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You can even get a full glass of beer at a cocktail lounge."
I want Kevin Kline from the movie DAVE as my boss. Truly decent beyond utter belief. The ideal boss, I think.
RED HARVEST is the Hammett novel, "Red Wind" is the Chandler short.
Big Brother.
Good one. How about Miles Drentell from Thirty Something.
And what about Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison?
By coincidience I'm currently rereading Herman Wouk's THE CAINE MUTINY and I'd say that Captain Queeg is probably one of the worst bosses in fiction. Everything you should not do as a manager, he does.
Fierce, demanding, loyal, smart.
Haven't read Wouk in years. Does it hold up well?
I stand corrected re Red Wind. BTW, the best way to get a response is to screw up. Works every time.
Boy, don't I know that! I have functioned on that premise my whole life.
Sure, it's easy to love Lou or Col. Potter but at the moment Im working for a Henry Blake and I'm enjoying it like Trapper.
Henry Blake was a lot more fun than Colonel Potter but maybe not someone you'd want to work for forever. Just during a tour.
Wouk holds up pretty well, the portrayal of Queeg especially. It's as if Wouk had taken notes about disagreeable people he met and then used the best bits to create Queeg.
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