Mr Swainey's weight gain?
Did he put weight on in real life or was it just for the episode?
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I was shocked when I saw how Mr. Swainey looked in that episode. I kept thinking the actor had been given facial prosthetics to make him look fat, but the overgrown jowls looked authentic and, in any case, why would the makeup people want to make him look repulsive, right?
It may have been that the actor was ill and receiving medications that puffed him up.
No, it was a prosthetic fat suit, it's discussed in a book about the show I have. Apparently after the show aired Owen Brenman kept being offered parts for very fat characters!!
shareThank you for the information, sbarclay2004. A book about the show, you say? What is it titled, who wrote it, is it still in print and where can it be obtained? I'd like to get it and I suspect other OFTG devotees would like to buy it, too.
I write from the state of Tennessee, U.S.A.
The companion novel is called, "One Foot in the Grave" - author David Renwick. I got mine from Amazon Uk, but as you are in the US you may probably be able to get it at Amazon Us.
shareThank you, brandy5, for the tip.
Minutes ago, I ordered the book from AmazonUS. Only two copies were available and mine is coming from the U.K., estimated delivery late February or early March – can you belieeve it!!
The title is "One Foot in the Grave: The Basis of a British Comedy," by David Renwick. Again, brandy5, I am indebted to you.
According to Richard Webber's "The Complete OFITG," "the transformation of Nick Swainey was the first idea [writer David] Renwick dreamt up when he began planning the script [for the 'Endgame' episode.] The idea of seeing the character fattened up amused him, so he legitimized it by the death's of Swainey's mother seeing him turn to comfort eating as he tried to cope with his loss."
So, prosthetics and padding were applied. In the book, actor Owen Brenman is quoted as saying that "making Nick incredibly fat was the worst thing David [Renwick] did to my character, and I've never really forgiven him!"
I agree that there was no need to ridicule both actor and character by making him look repulsive ... although I am impressed by the excellent job the prosthetics and makeup people did. Very convincing.
If the episode you are referring to is "endgame" omg id say he put on a few pounds , my reaction was "whoa"... he is one of my favorite characters. Doesnt look like a fat suit to me. Great show, very funny, glad I discovered it !
The book I was talking about is called "The Complete One Foot In The Grave", by Richard Webber.
Thank you for the tip on Richard Webber's book, sbarclay2004.
I checked AmazonUSA and found several USED hardcover copies available for prices ranging from 1 dollar to 20 dollars. Most of the suppliers are in Britain, but I found one supplier in Florida, USA, from whom I ordered a copy. (I live in Tennessee, USA.)
I'm looking forward to reading it, as I'm a devoted fan of Victor, Margaret and the rest of the troupe. I have already read David Renwick's book, "One Foot in the Grave," which is actually a compilation of situations that have appeared on the screen. What I wanted was a behind-the-scenes book, and this one may be it. Again, thanks for the tip.