Tv shows named after an Actor but not the character

[Lance Uppercut]

I always thought it was weird when I found out a show like

The bob Newhart show
Newhart

And the characters name wasn’t bob newhart.

I know there are other examples, but that was the one off the top of my head.

What comes to your mind when I bring this up

[Cyno]

Both Cosby shows.

The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

[SHAKEMASTER TV9 is Don Knotts]

The Cosby Show
Cosby
The Steve Harvey Show
The Jamie Fox Show

[Push R Truth]

Your Mom wasn't in How I Met Your Mother.

[Bang Bang Bart]

Do shows where the main character shares a first name with their actor count (i.e. "Bob", where Bob Newhart's character was also named Bob)?

[dirtyoldman]

Was there the phil silvers show?

[thechase]

Feb 2, 2021 14:03:11 GMT -5 dirtyoldman said:

Was there the phil silvers show?

Yes, for his Bilko character.

Confused the hell out of me as a kid.

Hey, Wandavision should have done this with the opening episode!

[Cyno]

Now did Everybody Loves Raymond refer to Ray Romano or Ray Barone? :thinking:

[James Fabiano]

On some DVDs, Life with Elizabeth was retroactively changed to The Betty White Show.

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2021 14:15:58 GMT -5 Cyno said:

Now did Everybody Loves Raymond refer to Ray Romano or Ray Barone? :thinking:

Seinfeld too.

Was the show named after the actor, or the factionalized version of himself he was playing?

[Deleted]

Feb 2, 2021 13:48:06 GMT -5 Push R Truth said:

Your Mom wasn't in How I Met Your Mother.

This is false if you are Alyson Hannigan's kids.

[kidtamagotchi]

The Wayans Bros. Shawn & Marlon's last name on the show was Williams.

[#Classic Hi-Definition X]

Eve

[agent817]

Feb 2, 2021 15:18:44 GMT -5 @therealoblivion said:

Feb 2, 2021 14:15:58 GMT -5 Cyno said:

Now did Everybody Loves Raymond refer to Ray Romano or Ray Barone? :thinking:

Seinfeld too.

Was the show named after the actor, or the factionalized version of himself he was playing?

It was fictionalized but some characters were based on people Jerry Seinfeld knew.

On that same note, would George Lopez count? Because on the show he had the same name as the actor, but I don't think he played himself.

[Timeless Hayterade]

The George Carlin Show. George's last name on the show was "O'Grady."

[I'm Team Bayley and Indi]

Melissa and Joey

Melissa Joan Hart gets referred to as Mel, but for some reason her characters full name is Melanie

In The Andy Griffith Show his surname is Taylor

[Triangle Lancer]

I'm shocked Andy Griffith wasn't one of the very first ones mentioned among a group of wrestling fans.

-The Patty Duke Show: She played lookalike twins Patty & Cathy Lane.
-The Donna Reed Show: She played homemaker Donna Stone.

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Feb 2, 2021 17:11:47 GMT -5 Timeless Hayterade said:

The George Carlin Show. George's last name on the show was "O'Grady."

It was a hazy memory of liking his show as I stood at the comedy section in the CD store. So I bought “Parental Advisory”. The next day I had Brain Droppings and You Are All Diseased. About a week later, Toledo Window Box.

A vague memory led to an obsession.

[horsemen4ever]

Feb 2, 2021 18:24:37 GMT -5 Triangle Lancer said:

-The Donna Reed Show: She played homemaker Donna Stone.

I always assumed her madam name was Reed.

[A Platypus Rave]

The Michael Richard's show