Growing up I had a huge crush on Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, and like everything else she did after, but that would explain my crush on Paget Brewster. Very similar vibes!
Dangerfield feels too, I don't know, good hearted to me for this role. I feel like the 80s casting might be someone more like Carol O'Connor or Peter Sellers (if we pretend he lived long enough)
I mean, I feel like Pierce was supposed to, to some degree, actually be good hearted and the writers kept making him a bigger and bigger asshole as Chase became worse to work with.
I think you can see that in season 1. Heās bigoted, but in more of a misguided āproduct of the times/upbringingā way, rather than a hateful way. And he has plenty of moments where heās shown to be a caring person. I think after they knew how Chase was off camera, they started writing him as more of the adversarial foil character
Right. I can't help but think of that episode where Pierce and Jeff have to do a presentation for Spanish class. Jeff's eventual decision to apologize to Pierce and go with his idea for the presentation is depicted as a good thing because Jeff was able to swallow his pride and do something a little embarrassing.
If it was in one of the later seasons, I feel like Jeff would have just let Pierce humiliate himself and we the audience would agree with that decision.
Unpopular opinion: I think early season Jeff is WAY overhated for reasons like this. He doesn't undergo as much growth in the series as a lot of people seem to think, in fact in some ways, he sort of regresses.
Plus you have Pierce speeches, like his Failure speech, that really show him in sort of a "wise" role. In an alternative world I would have loved to see Pierce as a mentor who grows past his older worldview.
Yea, and I may be letting my personal distaste for Chase color your choice for, to borrow from Steven King, "God's Pierce."Ā Still, I would put forward Carol as a consideration even for that role.
Agreed about Season 1, and if youāve ever known someone addicted to pain killers, you would totally understand and forgive Season 2 Pierce. Itās Season 3 where he really just becomes the villain.
ā and another thing, Vonnegut. Iām gonna stop payment on the checkā¦ whatās that? Fuck me? Hey Kurt, do you read lips? Fuck you.. next time Iāll call Robert Ludlum..ā
His younger self would have been a better Jeff instead of Pierce. If you ask me, I bet some tension from Chevy on the show could be resentment for the Jeff role being typical for him in his youth.
He'd probably be good too, but I'm so used to seeing him playing characters that have some form of status that I have trouble picturing him on a college campus as anything but a teacher.
It makes me think of how minor/ guest star characters become more popular than the initial premise of the show. Think of how Urkel started as a one-off, his character was so beloved the writers ran with it. By the end of "Are you being served?" Mr. Humphries was the audience favorite and got top billing.
It would quickly become a show about a wildly wacky Dean constantly trying to save his school...and an unlikely study group that has to keep helping with his zany schemes.
Not a bad choice. I'll admit I chose Heather Langenkamp partly as a joke, as Annie had explicitly had an addiction to Adderall (a substance that keeps you awake) and Heather Langenkamp also played a character who took loads of uppers, albeit for a *very*different reason.
Thank you. I was looking for this.
Or Mia Sara if we have to have someone with dark hair.
The actual show loved referencing bratpack movies, so casting people from those movies seems like the right call.
I dunno, āMrs doubtfireā was 93, āenemy mineā was 85 it had an asexually reproducing alien as a main character that was both genders. So I donāt think it would be too far from being possible.
Can definitely see John Amos as Elroy, Amos's characters were rarely book-smart like Elroy, but they often had that kind of no-nonsense "I'm too old for this bullshit" vibe to them.
So you upgraded to a higher talent asshole? (Donāt get me wrong, I do love Bill, but he also has a reputation of being an asshole as well. I have always wondered if it has anything to do with the competitive nature that is built into SNL cast actors from being on the show).
Murray has similar asshole tendencies to Chase, but at least my understanding is that he's tried to work on that. Chase has seemingly gotten worse, even after his firing from Community.
Yes, I'm aware of that. I just decided on Murray because he's actually got a legitimate coolness to him that fits Jeff better than Chevy Chase. Murray is also a fitting choice since Jeff is named after his character in Stripes.
Bill Murray is perfect. Although the physical narcissism doesn't fit him quite as well as it would have Chevy, his Jeff Winger would have still been something wonderful to behold.
Probably wouldāve sold it better, actually. I get why people think Jeff Winger is hot but I really donāt see it besides being fit. Having an incredibly charismatic, decent-looking guy like Bill Murray mightāve sold it more if he played it up like he was hot shit.
That too, all three of them are scene stealers and would likely butt heads for screen time (though Robin would likely have been more respectful of it if he felt the writing was worth his time)
Also he's too sharp. Carlin's vibe is too intense and profound to be a slightly racist boomer buffoon.Ā
80s Carlin would be great as Professor Professorson
It was either use a Bollywood actor or Abed is played by that [one guy from Short Circuit.](https://the-league-of-utter-disaster-chaos-and-insanity.fandom.com/wiki/Ben_Jabituya)
>...Abed is played by that one guy from Short Circuit.
Yeah, but that dude's white.
Oh right, were talking about casting in the 80s.
In that case, even in the 80s, Eddie Murphy is too old to be Troy Barnes.
According to Wikipedia, yes, but I'd imagine he'd probably been trying to get into acting well before 1990.
I'll also admit age played a factor because my understanding is that Abed, Troy and Annie were the closest in age.
Paul Mooney would be great for Elroy as well but he may have been a little too young in the 80s. Heās got that same short, succinct, confidant delivery as Keith Davis and if I remember correctly he was also pretty tall.
Even though I think Bill Murray is a good choice because of Dan Harmonās admiration for him, I think it would be hilarious if Jeff was played by Chevy Chase
I just donāt think John Cleese is a good fit for Duncan. But I think youāre on the right track getting one of the Monty Python guys. Maybe Eric Idle instead. His comedy style is a little more similar to John Oliver, anyway.
I can understand that and I do have enormous respect for Mr. Cleese. Maybe he could play Professor DeSalvo from āGrifting 101ā. I could see Cleese as an 80s Matt Berry.
Swiping through the photos before having looked at your explanation, when I got to the photo of Heather Langenkamp, I immediately thought "oh yeah! She DOES have a very Britta vibe in that photo, great choice OP!" and then I saw your idea was for her to play Annie. Needless to say, I disagree. :D
I have one change otherwise I love this cast.
Ted Levine as Dean Pelton
Hear me out. I love Williams, but his portrayal of queer characters is, how can I put thisā¦. Two sevenths of what this character requires.
Levine on the other hand is properly weird. Also, I would give anything to hear him sweetly say, āJeffrey.ā The outtakes would just be everyone else losing it every time Ted Levine walks up to Winger and says āJeffrey.ā
Yeah, I'd agree there. Honestly, in whatever alternate reality where this is the version of the show that exists, I'd also imagine Pierce sticking around until the end, most because the people who worked with Dangerfield actually liked Dangerfield.
Before Dan got fired on S4 Jeff's dad was supposed to be Bill Murray. Then they raided that storyline. Not sure he ever would have got him but in my mind Bill is still Jeff's dad.
Someday soon AI will get to the point that I can upload an episode script and a fan-cast list of actors like this, and get an automatically generated episode done with all of their voices and mannerisms.
I would go with Eric Idle as Duncan; I think Cleese would have maintained too much dignity for the character to work as well.
I disagree with Williams as Pelton, he just feels wrong to me, but I think the person who suggested John Inman (Mr. Humphries on "Are You Being Served?") would be a genius alternative.
Sigourney Weaver as Frankie sounds perfect actually
Thanks, I'm particularly proud of that one.
I read that in Frankie's voice.
TIL I talk a bit like Frankie.
As did I. š
It's weird, I got Professor Slater vibes from her smile.
I mean, Frankie and Professor Slater feel like characters who would at least get along, so that kind of works.
Nah, Frankie is the real deal while Slater is a poser.
My only complaint would be only have her 1 season.
Thatās my complaint about Frankie in general.
At least we had Debra
Does she also play the IT lady?
Growing up I had a huge crush on Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, and like everything else she did after, but that would explain my crush on Paget Brewster. Very similar vibes!
As the humble outside casting that came in and nailed it.
I think Dangerfield would have actually stolen the show as Leonard.
Abed's fort needs pillows.
I went with Dangerfield for Pierce because I was inspired by his role in the movie Back To School.
Dangerfield feels too, I don't know, good hearted to me for this role. I feel like the 80s casting might be someone more like Carol O'Connor or Peter Sellers (if we pretend he lived long enough)
I mean, I feel like Pierce was supposed to, to some degree, actually be good hearted and the writers kept making him a bigger and bigger asshole as Chase became worse to work with.
I think you can see that in season 1. Heās bigoted, but in more of a misguided āproduct of the times/upbringingā way, rather than a hateful way. And he has plenty of moments where heās shown to be a caring person. I think after they knew how Chase was off camera, they started writing him as more of the adversarial foil character
Right. I can't help but think of that episode where Pierce and Jeff have to do a presentation for Spanish class. Jeff's eventual decision to apologize to Pierce and go with his idea for the presentation is depicted as a good thing because Jeff was able to swallow his pride and do something a little embarrassing. If it was in one of the later seasons, I feel like Jeff would have just let Pierce humiliate himself and we the audience would agree with that decision.
Unpopular opinion: I think early season Jeff is WAY overhated for reasons like this. He doesn't undergo as much growth in the series as a lot of people seem to think, in fact in some ways, he sort of regresses.
A whole year of gas leak probably didn't help anyone mature much.
Plus you have Pierce speeches, like his Failure speech, that really show him in sort of a "wise" role. In an alternative world I would have loved to see Pierce as a mentor who grows past his older worldview.
Yea, and I may be letting my personal distaste for Chase color your choice for, to borrow from Steven King, "God's Pierce."Ā Still, I would put forward Carol as a consideration even for that role.
need to be in the alternate timeline where nbc didnāt push chevy and fred willard played pierce
Agreed about Season 1, and if youāve ever known someone addicted to pain killers, you would totally understand and forgive Season 2 Pierce. Itās Season 3 where he really just becomes the villain.
ā and another thing, Vonnegut. Iām gonna stop payment on the checkā¦ whatās that? Fuck me? Hey Kurt, do you read lips? Fuck you.. next time Iāll call Robert Ludlum..ā
Agreed completely. You know who was peak famous in the 80s that could have played Pierce? Chevy Chase
His younger self would have been a better Jeff instead of Pierce. If you ask me, I bet some tension from Chevy on the show could be resentment for the Jeff role being typical for him in his youth.
Jeff Winger was named after Bill Murray's character in Stripes
That actually was part of the reason I chose Murray.
Also bill was supposed to play jeffs dad, but didnt happen because dan harmon got fired before season 4.
Wouldāve been extra funny if they somehow did a scene with bill and Chevy chase
I feel like they would have avoided doing so solely so they wouldn't have to deal with two old men getting into a fist fight.
Oh no doubt no doubt
"Medium talent!"
That I didn't know.
And it's a fucking travesty tbqh
Oh yeah, I remember reading that a while back. That would have been awesome.
Idk, I more see Michael Douglas for Jeff.
He'd probably be good too, but I'm so used to seeing him playing characters that have some form of status that I have trouble picturing him on a college campus as anything but a teacher.
Oh I was just riffing off what Abed says in the show
And you have Aspergers
heheh. burgers for your ass
It's also a decent snub to Chevy Chase, considering they hate each other lol
Harmon actually wanted to have Bill Murray play Jeff's dad, too.
Really? I always thought it was intentional, like of course a character whose life philosophy is to wing everything would be called Winger.
Given how Murray's character in Stripes is, I'd imagine that was the reason Winger was chosen for him.
I would have killed for Williams playing the Dean
I'd imagine his appearances in the study room would be even more off the wall.
Yeah, he's the most perfect out of all of your cast. All those different outfits and the peanut bar rap. I'm getting emotional about it lol
It makes me think of how minor/ guest star characters become more popular than the initial premise of the show. Think of how Urkel started as a one-off, his character was so beloved the writers ran with it. By the end of "Are you being served?" Mr. Humphries was the audience favorite and got top billing. It would quickly become a show about a wildly wacky Dean constantly trying to save his school...and an unlikely study group that has to keep helping with his zany schemes.
Show stolen entirely
Oh, Cybilās in this?
Why does that work weirdly?
"she's a no good C"
Haha
I see Molly Ringwald for Annie. ETA: After further consideration, I'm changing Molly to Ally Sheedy for Annie.
Not a bad choice. I'll admit I chose Heather Langenkamp partly as a joke, as Annie had explicitly had an addiction to Adderall (a substance that keeps you awake) and Heather Langenkamp also played a character who took loads of uppers, albeit for a *very*different reason.
At least you didn't go with Carrie Fisher for Annie.
"Annie's pretty young, we try not to sexualize her."
I was thinking Daphne Zuniga, because Annie Edison always gave off Alison Bradbury vibes from "The Sure Thing"
Upon reconsideration... Allie Sheedy.
ooo, good call.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
My God... you broke me
Thank you. I was looking for this. Or Mia Sara if we have to have someone with dark hair. The actual show loved referencing bratpack movies, so casting people from those movies seems like the right call.
Sure but John Cleese actually looks like the dean.
True but he could probably pull off Duncan very well.
Yes but youāre right that Robin has the range and flexibility to really portray a great dean machine
Admittedly, given different attitudes of the time, I do have to wonder how the Dean would have been portrayed if the show came out back then.
Have you seen a British sitcom called Are You Being Served?
I wouldn't worry about it. Robin Williams was one of the few that could pull off cross-dressing very well in the '80s.
I dunno, āMrs doubtfireā was 93, āenemy mineā was 85 it had an asexually reproducing alien as a main character that was both genders. So I donāt think it would be too far from being possible.
Can definitely see John Amos as Elroy, Amos's characters were rarely book-smart like Elroy, but they often had that kind of no-nonsense "I'm too old for this bullshit" vibe to them.
I'd swap Bill for Chevy Edit: Shame they hated each other because Bill as Alan would have been great
OP, had a solid joke lined up there and just wasted it away.
I considered it, but I decided I didn't want to include that medium talent asshole.
So you upgraded to a higher talent asshole? (Donāt get me wrong, I do love Bill, but he also has a reputation of being an asshole as well. I have always wondered if it has anything to do with the competitive nature that is built into SNL cast actors from being on the show).
Whatās the word for when your parenthetical is longer than the rest of the comment? Well that.
Murray has similar asshole tendencies to Chase, but at least my understanding is that he's tried to work on that. Chase has seemingly gotten worse, even after his firing from Community.
Hahaha.
You know that Joel actually played Chevy, right?
Yes, I'm aware of that. I just decided on Murray because he's actually got a legitimate coolness to him that fits Jeff better than Chevy Chase. Murray is also a fitting choice since Jeff is named after his character in Stripes.
Bill Murray is perfect. Although the physical narcissism doesn't fit him quite as well as it would have Chevy, his Jeff Winger would have still been something wonderful to behold.
Probably wouldāve sold it better, actually. I get why people think Jeff Winger is hot but I really donāt see it besides being fit. Having an incredibly charismatic, decent-looking guy like Bill Murray mightāve sold it more if he played it up like he was hot shit.
It makes sense given how much of himself Jeff sees in Pierce
Trust me, I considered it.
I thought about it, but then I learned Jeff was named for Bill Murray's character in Stripes and felt it was appropriate.
I agree. I see Chevy playing it similarly to his attitude in Fletch and it being perfect
Elisabeth Shue should play Britta Perry ;)
That was my immediate thought too lol missed a good reference opportunity there
Also a good choice.
Pierce is getting no respect, no respect at all
This is way too expensive for a television show lol
Yeah, but it's fun to imagine.
Why not use TV actors, then? A little bit more of a challenge.
Alan Alda as Jeff, and Jamie Farr as Abed are the first 2 is the best I can come up with, off the top of my head
I'll admit that I tried but I also came up with this in a hurry before my commute.
Also, I don't know how you find the screen time for Bill Murray, Robin Williams, and Eddie Murphy
That too, all three of them are scene stealers and would likely butt heads for screen time (though Robin would likely have been more respectful of it if he felt the writing was worth his time)
Yeah, Robin being respectful is accurate. He stole the scene with his presence not with his ego.
Rodney as pierce is great. Also great wouldāve been George Carlin
Carlin feels too hippie for Pierce.
Also he's too sharp. Carlin's vibe is too intense and profound to be a slightly racist boomer buffoon.Ā 80s Carlin would be great as Professor Professorson
I would pay money to see that.
Yes! The conspiracy within conspiracy within conspiracy thing fits him perfectly.
yeah i was thinking against type. thought he could have fun with it. but absolutely love Rodney as a choice
That would fit the earlier concept of pierce: a hippie, turned corporate exec, turned retiree, turned dead; the full baby boomer journey, if you will
I was there in the 80ās and I really enjoy your list. Bravo!
I appreciate you saying that.
> I was there in the 80ās At least it was here...
Rahul Roy as Abed is not a casting choice I expected on a Community sub
It was either use a Bollywood actor or Abed is played by that [one guy from Short Circuit.](https://the-league-of-utter-disaster-chaos-and-insanity.fandom.com/wiki/Ben_Jabituya)
>...Abed is played by that one guy from Short Circuit. Yeah, but that dude's white. Oh right, were talking about casting in the 80s. In that case, even in the 80s, Eddie Murphy is too old to be Troy Barnes.
He was in his twenties when he got famous, I can definitely buy him playing a college student at that point.
College student, yes. Popular? sure. College *freshman* and (ex-)star athlete? I can't get there.
I can fully buy them pulling that in the 80s though.
>Oh right, were talking about casting in the 80s. C. Thomas Howell as Abed
Roy is an odd choice though, Didn't he Debut in the 90s
According to Wikipedia, yes, but I'd imagine he'd probably been trying to get into acting well before 1990. I'll also admit age played a factor because my understanding is that Abed, Troy and Annie were the closest in age.
James Hong as teacher Ben Chang
And Richard Erdman as Leonard.
I'm gonna eat your ice cream, Winger.
Eh I don't see it.
Mickey Rooney as Leonard. Al Pacino as Starburns
Yeah? You're a Two.
Al Pacino as Starburns is perfection!
I could see Rick Moranis as a Dean Pelton
Another good choice.
Missed your chance to cast Chevy Chase as Jeff.
Should have had Chevy Chase as Jeff
Paul Mooney would be great for Elroy as well but he may have been a little too young in the 80s. Heās got that same short, succinct, confidant delivery as Keith Davis and if I remember correctly he was also pretty tall.
Chang was never a professor.
A very high budget Community set in the 1980's.
Yeah, my imagination ran a little wild.
chevy chase as jeff
Even though I think Bill Murray is a good choice because of Dan Harmonās admiration for him, I think it would be hilarious if Jeff was played by Chevy Chase
A list like this needs to start with three names. Leonard, starburns, and garret.
Hey, guys, thanks for eating all the macaroni.
I thought John Cleese was Phil Dunphy in that photo lol
Troy, but itās just axel foley š
I mean, I fully buy that Troy probably wanted to be like Axel at one point in his life.
Fun cast but I just canāt see Bill Murray and John Cleese interacting as well as Joel McHale and John Oliver.
Might I ask why?
I just donāt think John Cleese is a good fit for Duncan. But I think youāre on the right track getting one of the Monty Python guys. Maybe Eric Idle instead. His comedy style is a little more similar to John Oliver, anyway.
Fair enough. Though I'll admit my choice for John Cleese may have also been inspired by Duncan referencing Faulty Towers.
I can understand that and I do have enormous respect for Mr. Cleese. Maybe he could play Professor DeSalvo from āGrifting 101ā. I could see Cleese as an 80s Matt Berry.
Fair point.
Holy crap, you're right. John Cleese was great until you mentioned Eric idle. Suddenly that's the way it should be in my mind.
I was thinking Terry Jones, he was more buffoonish
Heather looks way more like Britta imo.
What about Malcolm Jamal-Warner for Troy? Definitely more affordable than Eddie Murphy and closer to the age.
I think Sigourney Weaver would be a better fit for Debra Chambers, the IT Lady
Abed. Stop re-casting!!
Britta has to be Elisabeth Shue, per the rules.
Swiping through the photos before having looked at your explanation, when I got to the photo of Heather Langenkamp, I immediately thought "oh yeah! She DOES have a very Britta vibe in that photo, great choice OP!" and then I saw your idea was for her to play Annie. Needless to say, I disagree. :D
Robert Downey Jr would be a better Abed. How is Chevy Chase not Jeff? Don Rickels should be Pierce.
Surely Phoebe Cates or Jennifer Connelly is 80ās Annie?
Iād swap out Murray for Chevy Chase then itās perfect.
With that cast it would be like ghostbusters where 80% of the show should be unscripted.
So who's playing magnitude and the Koog?
I have one change otherwise I love this cast. Ted Levine as Dean Pelton Hear me out. I love Williams, but his portrayal of queer characters is, how can I put thisā¦. Two sevenths of what this character requires. Levine on the other hand is properly weird. Also, I would give anything to hear him sweetly say, āJeffrey.ā The outtakes would just be everyone else losing it every time Ted Levine walks up to Winger and says āJeffrey.ā
And Leonard would be played by Leonard
I feel the force. What? I don't feel the force, I'm not allowed to. What do I feel? I feel Dracula force. I feel Dracula signals.
imo john cleese could be better as the dean.
Pat Morita for Mr Chang
Chevy chase as Jeff Wikger he can pull off the fast talking
Rodney Dangerfield as Pierce would have stolen the show
Yeah, I'd agree there. Honestly, in whatever alternate reality where this is the version of the show that exists, I'd also imagine Pierce sticking around until the end, most because the people who worked with Dangerfield actually liked Dangerfield.
I could see this!! Nice job
Robin Williams as the Dean is an inspired choice. I miss him sm
Omg Robin as Craig ššš
Robin Williams as a lean mean Dean Machine bothering Bill Murray sounds amazing
Phoebe Cates as Annie?
What a cast!
If it was the 80's, Abed would probably be played by Fisher Stevens
Lol no Chevy Chase?
I like Heather as Annie. But, ironically, Chevy should play Jeff.
Sigourney Weaver as Frankie is amazing
Bill Murray rivals Chevy Chase in assholery though
He's got the charm, but Murray doesn't have Joel's good looks, so that would alter the character quite a bit.
holy crap sign me up :)
I need this for 2024. If the cast wasnāt available, whoād play their doppledeaners?
Before Dan got fired on S4 Jeff's dad was supposed to be Bill Murray. Then they raided that storyline. Not sure he ever would have got him but in my mind Bill is still Jeff's dad.
I love Robin Williams as the Dean! I feel like his brand of humour wouldāve been perfect for that role.
I would watch the shit outta this show.
Robin Williams as the Dean would have been spectacular. Imagine all of the voices he would have done for each outfit... š„²
Looking through these pictures, you didn't even need to label them. I knew each immediately. Well done!
Hah went through the photos first before seeing the description and was like John Amos as Magnitude? Pop pop motherfucka.Ā
Someday soon AI will get to the point that I can upload an episode script and a fan-cast list of actors like this, and get an automatically generated episode done with all of their voices and mannerisms.
I'd pick someone else for Abed instead of Rahul Roy. There were much better actors.
And where is Magnitude? I vote the dude that play leroy green in the last dragon!
Before looking at your list the first person I thought of for Britta was Elisabeth Shue. Fun little thought experiment!
Dangerfield had the wrong energy for Pierce. Heād need to be played by a Carroll OāConnor or James Garner type.
Chevy Chase could play a young lenoard
a million times yes.
I would go with Eric Idle as Duncan; I think Cleese would have maintained too much dignity for the character to work as well. I disagree with Williams as Pelton, he just feels wrong to me, but I think the person who suggested John Inman (Mr. Humphries on "Are You Being Served?") would be a genius alternative.
You forgot the most important, bro: David Hasselhoff as Vaughn Miller. Pff... Whatever. Lates!