MovieChat Forums > The Name of the Game (1968) Discussion > Tony Franciosa issues on TNOTG

Tony Franciosa issues on TNOTG

posted 8 years ago by biffot
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Some on the show's Facebook website have questioned why Tony Franciosa failed to do several episodes

in season one 'Pineapple Rose' - I think there might have been a reason why Tony never did this episode which was originally under his segment, maybe he was unwell or had a family problem (?) that prevented him from making the filming dates - I don't think the script was poor or anything about it would have put him off doing it

- his segment producer Leslie Stevens handled the episode with supporting semi regular Cliff Potts (credited as 'Cliff Potter') character Andrew Hill - normally in first season Gene Barry segment episodes - bumped up to lead on this one occasion tho' Andy Hill effectively acts like 'Jeff Dillon' in this one episode (Gene Barry cameos as 'Glenn Howard' and it's put under his segment)

season two - both 'Goodbye Harry' (Darren McGavin guests) and 'Man of The People' (Vera Miles guests) were very likely possible show pilot ideas for other lead characters not ever intended for Tony Franciosa's 'Jeff Dillon'

- Tony did do all his contracted seven episodes in his segment for the second season

season three - Tony did three episodes of his contracted seven, but I note his original producer Leslie Stevens (who later got Tony for an alternating co-lead alongside Hugh O'Brian and Doug McClure in 'Search') had left the show by the third season, possibly Tony had some 'issues' later - I believe the 'Billy Baker' episode caused problems when it was expanded into a two parter, originally being only one episode and the second part was full of song performances by famous guests which may have upset Tony (?) whatever, Tony departed the show leaving four of his segment episodes still to film

Robert Culp took guest lead as 'Paul Tyler' in 'Cynthia is Alive..' and 'Little Bear Died Running', while Robert Wagner was 'Dave Corey' in 'The Man Who Killed A Ghost' and Peter Falk was 'Lewis Corbett' in 'A Sister From Napoli' which were the other four remaining episodes originally under Tony Franciosa's segment.

I think the producers knew the third season would be the last thus Tony Franciosa's face was left on the opening graphic with the deputy stars playing other Howard Publications reporters

the third season episode; 'A Capitol Affair' featured Suzanne Pleshette as Howard's gossip columnist Hallie Manville - this was under the Gene Barry segment and again was intended as a possible pilot for her,and was never a Tony Franciosa segment episode.

[–] ecarle (14979) 5 years ago

There is an internet article from last 2018 about "The Name of the Game at 50" which suggests that even as Tony Franciosa's episodes were the top-rated ones on The Name of the Game, as the series went on, he became more and more difficult to work with until he was fired off the show in its third season. This happened while Franciosa was filming the "Billy Baker" episode in Las Vegas.

This article draws sympathetic comments from Franciosa's wife at the time, that he was experiencing mental difficulties, may have had drug problems and -- importantly -- WANTED to get fired from the series. So his wish was granted.

One funny bit in the article. It is noted that while acting a scene with guest star Darren McGavin, Franciosa kept walking in front of McGavin and blocking his path..until McGavin simply knocked Franciosa out of the way. That take remained in the show.

Moreover, for the Vegas episode, Franiciosa had the director film him taking a swim, getting out of the pool, and assuming a yoga position for a couple of minutes, nothing else. THAT scene made it into the show, which became a two-parter and needed "padding."

Its all too bad. Tony Franciosa had a lot of charm on screen, great looks, great smile, great voice. But evidently demons of temperament, mental stress and drug use self-sabotaged his career. To the positive, the article suggests that one reason Franciosa got some later series and TV movies was that he DID do the hard "cold turkey" work of shaking the drugs. Good for him.