For me, Richard Dean Anderson really made MacGyver into what he really is known for today. What he brought in for Mac's character is also a bit evident at times in the reboot, like whenever Lucas Till would shake his hand at times whenever he would punch someone hard. It must be really hard for Lucas and the reboot to not think about what RDA brought into the table that formed the soul and vibe of MacGyver's character.
But, like any other show, the original MacGyver had auditions for it's lead, too. I've read articles wherein people involved in the show would say that actors who auditioned 'hulked' their way into the audition, while RDA really didn't and were even touched with the simple act of wearing eyeglasses to read a script. It brings to mind a question that I had on my mind for a long time now, though. Who are these actors that 'hulked' their audition? Probably someone from the forum knows? I've been trying to research about it, but for some reason I can't find anything.
Also, let's say RDA never auditioned and someone else was cast. Surely, MacGyver would be very different from what our general consensus is about it, but just in what ways would a MacGyver without RDA be different? How popular could it have been? Could it have been popular enough to have a reboot, too? If it could have been, how could it have affected the reboot now? What would be of RDA now if he never was MacGyver?
Hopefully someone can help discuss this 'alternative history' with me.
