Thinking back to the days of Charlies Angels, Threes Company, and actors quitting or holding out for more money, out of Linc, Pete and Julie who would be the easiest to replace with a different actor
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Definitely Pete. Michael Cole is a bad actor. I'm sure they could have found another pretty white boy. Clarence Williams III would be irreplaceable and already was an established Broadway actor. That stare, that coolness, who would have that. I think Peggy Lipton had a particular look (like Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas) that might have been hard to find, though she never has many lines. She was really just arm candy. Still, that smile and that look!
shareHere's where I would differ with you. I wouldn't say any of the three would be considered great actors but of the three I thought Michael Cole was the best. I agree with what you say about Peggy. I liked her but her smile (which was great) was about all she had. As far as Clarence, he was cool but I thought his acting was stilted and one dimensional. Michael Cole, however, could give a great performance if given the right material. There are many examples I could cite but Deal With the Devil and The Judas Trap particularly stand out. As a whole, I don't think any of them could have been replaced because I've heard the three of them still keep in touch to this day. I think their genuine friendship came across on screen and made the show more believable.
shareCouldn't have said it better myself
shareI agree it's hard to imagine replacing any one of them. I mentioned Clarence, in particular, because he'd already received a Tony nomination for his work on Btoadway by the time he got Mod Squad. Those are not too easy to come by. I think all 3 actors were hampered by the generally poor writing.
shareI just watched the episode "To Linc with Love" (s2,episode 4) and Clarence really gets to show some of his acting muscle. He goes from happy to goofy, to solemn, to passionately in love in the episode. And he can change his affect in about 30 seconds. I don't think his regular acting was wooden. I believe the producers/directors wanted him to be a particular type of character - closed mouthed but smart. Someone who didn't talk much and was serious. I think they had very specific things in mind for all 3 characters - which, combined with the often poor writing - made all 3 actors bad. Too bad.
shareThe Lt., the chracter played by Tige.
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