I think because of his personality, sure the tricks too. Michael Greenburg (executive producer) also once said that "Without his personality I don't think it would have been as iconic as it ended up"

Does seem like a bit of a strange statement.

I would say he's had at least one person in his ear about this leading him in the direction they wanted him to go. Probably the same person who told him to stop posting his political thoughts/comment on his twitter account because she perceived that the fans weren't interested in hearing his thoughts- which of coarse lead to him pretty much abandoning twitter AND was wrong.

I think his comment sounds quite misinformed. To me the new team is working to keep the essence of the old show and all that made it great.

As others here, I to am wondering what it is HE thinks made it great.

I think because of his personality, sure the tricks too. Michael Greenburg (executive producer) also once said that "Without his personality I don't think it would have been as iconic as it ended up"

Personality isn't unique to one individual, professional actors must play the part and portray characters of numerous personalities. It's called ACTING.

And who knows Lucas Till may have this same personality - And perhaps play the part better.

There were many elements that made this show successful.

Notably all the other people who's names featured at the end of the closing titles. Each playing their part in making this show successful.

I think the statement would fit if he was referring to the Unaired Pilot... but it feels a bit strange now that they've made so many adjustments.

Also, lot's of people have asked online for a RDA cameo; lots of fans even stated they would only watch for him despite not being interested in a reboot.

I would have liked to see him on the show. I'm still sceptical about a reboot per se, but I would love him on TV again. I think he would like to do some acting gigs again now and then... I just hope he said no because he doesn't want to do it and not because he feels his fans don't want his involvement.

I agree!

I have a feeling this isn't the last we'll hear about this.

Somehow, I reckon he'll change his mind.

This so called statement, is from and written by Kate. I'm a bit dubious that this is in fact a real statement.

I'll believe it when it is announced official within the media. Until then, take it with a pinch of salt!

well, that's what happens... via https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYJnJ4goeW/

Attached Image

More on Tristin May's signing

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/27/macgyver-tristin-mays

Yeah I don't understand RDA's reaction. They practically redid the whole pilot just to please angry fans, and probably brought the whole thing much more in-like with the original show. At one time, he was sick of playing MacGyver and wanted to move on to other things, now he seems to think he owns the whole thing.

If he had said, "I want to see how it turns out first, then I'll make a decision," I could totally understand that. None of us knows if the show will be any good, so taking a "wait and see" approach before attaching his name to it makes sense. But I can't get behind the statement he made. If he thinks the original show succeeded just because of his personality, then is he implying that no other actors are as charismatic as he is? If so, that's pretty arrogant.

And how does refusing to participate in the reboot show loyalty to his fans? Wouldn't his fans prefer to see him actually DOING something? (I mean, aside from telling the same old fart stories at conventions every year.)

Anyway, as I said before, I personally don't care if he's a part of this. Hawaii Five-O does just fine without any of the original actors. I'm just puzzled by his response.

Yes she does seem manipulative and kind of up herself at times. Although I don't think she would put words in his mouth or make statements he hadn't approved. That wouldn't sit well with him if he found out.

I would go so far as to say this may be a protective move on her part... what will happen to her little empire of worshipers if this MacGyver takes off and RDA becomes irrelevant and fades into the background as everyone focuses on Lucas and co?

Um... no it's not.

It's a statement directly from Richard.

That's how he communicates on that site. He emails Kate and she posts them as updates.

http://rdanderson.com/updates/updates.htm#20160726andy

From Hotlanta to Siberia via https://www.instagram.com/p/BIY6fCWhH_u/?taken-by=plenkov

Attached Image

Its not perfect. I of all people can see that. But it is a VAST improvement over the unaired pilot.

Wish there was a way to clear the mist in RDA's eyes. Sounds ill informed. At first, i can understand the outrage. And RDA was essentially Mac. But to have him there passing the torch would have been admirable. Especially with this production crew over the last.

I'm still puzzling over that sentence. It sounds like they just wanted him for promo stuff, not for a cameo or a recurrent role. I hope that's not true.

Anyway, his answer still doesn't really make sense to me. Also, I don't think his "real" fans would abandon him if he did participate in this. Maybe some wouldn't like/understand it, maybe even make fun of it as people usually do (e.g. someone needs money!); but then you're not really a fan. You can still admire someone for his former work even if you're not happy with his recent work. Doesn't mean you have to turn your back on him. At least that's what I think.

Didn't he guest star on MacGruber? Not to belittle it, but I think participating on the MacGyver reboot is much more respectful to the loyal fans rather than participating on a spoof or parody. The question is: How could he, of all people, had been willing to participate in a parody of a show and character that became part of his life, but isn't willing to participate in a much more serious MacGyver project that would, as they say it will, honor the original show and keep it's spirit alive?

I say there's something going on that we don't know about, that's for sure. Whether it be a problem on the CBS/MacGyver side or on RDA's side. I just hope it's not about the money, coz personally I think RDA is better than that, although I wouldn't really know.

I'm still puzzling over that sentence. It sounds like they just wanted him for promo stuff, not for a cameo or a recurrent role. I hope that's not true.

Anyway, his answer still doesn't really make sense to me. Also, I don't think his "real" fans would abandon him if he did participate in this. Maybe some wouldn't like/understand it, maybe even make fun of it as people usually do (e.g. someone needs money!); but then you're not really a fan. You can still admire someone for his former work even if you're not happy with his recent work. Doesn't mean you have to turn your back on him. At least that's what I think.

DASH,

We saw a number of video interviews at Comic Con, re-watch them.

Each and every one - Peter Lenkov spoke about how he wanted to establish it, and hope he'd join them.

Knowing Lenkov's work and following his news feeds, this guy doesn't do things in half measures. If he could get RDA involved it would be for a long running story-arc over the course of a season. With RDA guest spotting occasionally.

I do think it came down to money, and by that statement, it seems he wasn't offered enough. Shame, there is more to life than money.

That quote from RDA was so arrogant and personally I feel let down as a Fan of MacGyver. He ain't doing himself any favours.

But as I said I respect his decision.

Could some actor in example replace me, kind of my presence?

Could some actor in example replace me, kind of my presence?

Not sure what you are trying to say....there?

But in theory the answer is Yes!

Actors research roles and are required to play many parts and portray many people that would have multiple personalities - so I reckon they could imitate yours...Why Not!

My point being RDA is not unique. In fact... at the time of filming MacGyver, RDA had very little acting experience, and had to learn on the job.

Lucas Till has been acting since 2003, and worked in big feature films (something RDA never accomplished). That's 13 years of acting experience Lucas has behind him, before taking on the role of MacGyver.

Personally, I reckon Lucas will surprise us all in this role. And... who knows, we may be saying RDA who?... by the end of the episode.

Doubtful.

I looked at the MacGyver reboot thread on RDA's site's forum, all these people saying with all the changed backgrounds it's not really MacGyver anymore? To be honest, I don't care that much if some of the supporting and recurring characters are reimagined because the show is first and foremost about MACGYVER, and at least in that respect, the reboot seems faithful. If Mac is going on exciting, international government agent missions every other episode and pulling out MacGyverisms left and right, it will be more faithful to the spirit of MacGyver than the original was when it became obsessed with environmental causes and teenage runaways.

There is room for improvement, and there was more to the original than even Richard Dean Anderson. His presence alone couldn't save the show when it lost focus of what it was originally meant to be.

There's no denying RDA was a driving force of the show but the scripts were too. The music, its supporting cast. And the overall unpredictable situation stories. The show was exciting at times and event frightening too. It only lost focus with the lazy scripts that started to materialize after the coming seasons.

I don't think it's about money. I honestly think that RDA may just not want to do it and this was the best reason he could come up with besides "I don't want to do it", because it is a kind of a vague statement. He may simply have his reasons that he just doesn't want to share. We don't know... however, wording wise, it does kinda make me feel that he's catering to a certain "group" of fans, and not realizing that a lot of us love him, not because he's "hot", but because he's been a part of our lives for such a long time. He's like a big brother, or uncle that we never get to see. lol

The statement Kate gave is an actual statement from RDA. She wouldn't make them up. She's not malicious. Her site and forum aren't really malicious either... they're nice. I just was uncomfortable with the constant objectification of RDA. I mean, sure... RDA is a good looking guy, and I admit I've drooled over some of the beefcake he's shown in his earlier projects, but he is also MUCH older than I am... it just feels weird.

I left that forum not because of the forum, but because of the attitude that came from the chats and Kate herself. There were a lot of things that were said that made me raise an eyebrow and I just didn't agree with. There was some rudeness in the chats directed at my friend, which I was unhappy about. But, some of the members over there have been genuinely nice and have even kept me in the loop. So, I wouldn't judge the whole group.

I just hope RDA doesn't think we're being disloyal for supporting the reboot. I still respect him a great deal, and will always be a fan of his.

Now that I've had time to process RDA's decision, I'm not as disappointed. The show must go on...

100% agree with Widowmaker.

As the show entered it 4 season onwards, we were only getting one or two macgyverisms per episode... if we were lucky. It became farcical at times, bad or lazy writing, and bad acting too.

That is why the show suffered.

Peter Lenkov has a very strong reputation to uphold, H.50 is a very strong show, and he will want MacGyver to live up to that mantle - MacGyverisms in every act for starters, high quality actors, good writing team and an equally excellent crew.

We also know that he has been collaborating with Lee Zlotoff who was the key man behind the original first episode, perhaps we will see the MacGyver character he always wanted portrayed on screen back in 1980s before ABC cut him out.

For a moment - just think about this MacGyver series superseeding the original... I think it is a very very strong possibility, especially for the new fans who never saw the original and come at this show with fresh eyes and no pre-conceptions.

We have no idea what type of role RDA was offered. He knows more about what his decision was based than any of us. Judging him without any real knowledge is silly.

If all he was offered was a cameo I think he was right to say no. I think this show needs to prove it self first. If it's completely living off nostalgia for the original it will never last. It would be more satisfying for the show to be a success and him to come in later.

The argument that they "fixed" the new show after the first Pilot is weak. All we really know is they they used recognizable character names now. That CBS was so quick to change the show and change it again makes me question if there is any real creative direction here. If they had a true bold new vision for the concept, they should stick with it. All they seem to be tied to is a recognizable brand name

This post has been edited by Avilos on 29 July 2016 - 12:34 AM

Actually I know for a fact that as at 3 weeks ago Lee has no idea what's going on with the show and I believe has had no input into it at all.

He's an exec producer because he owns the rights to the MacGyver name and does't seem to be involved i it at all. He's kinda let them run with themselves.

I think CBS are still not happy that Zlotoff grabbed the copyright out from under them while they weren't looking. But as they say, You snooze you lose.

Actually I know for a fact that as at 3 weeks ago Lee has no idea what's going on with the show and I believe has had no input into it at all.

He's an exec producer because he owns the rights to the MacGyver name.

That is what is really baffling to me about this whole situation. I thought Lee bought the rights to have creative control for any new MacGyver projects? How did this happen?

Just speculation, maybe he never got full control of the rights as we were lead to believe. Maybe there are other people and/or groups with control.

I was thinking this exact same thing last night! The original show lost sight of what made many people loyal fans. To be honest, by the later seasons, I was watching it mainly because of how much I loved it in its earlier days. My friends and I were drawn to MacGyver for its globe-trotting spirit of adventure and for the unique angle of MacGyver being able to use his brain to get out of predicaments. As you said, by the later seasons, we were lucky to see more than one or two MacGyverisms per episode, and the globe-trotting spriit of adventure was largely replaced with the domestic cause-of-the-week. Seems to me that this reboot is aiming to go back to what made the original show exciting in the first place.

Here's a quick run down of the rights...

CBS still (and apparently have always had) the TV rights. So no MacGyver TV show can be made/broadcast without their ok.

Lee Zlotoff owns the rights to MacGyver so no new MacGyver product of any kind can be made without his ok.

This means that in order to have a TV show both Lee and CBS have to come to an agreement, but anything else such as comic books, movies etc those fall under Lee's ownership so he can make and do whatever he wants with MacGyver...except make a TV show.



So yes Avilos, you were on the right track with your thinking. It's a mixed up wed of copyrights.


Copyright - like any legal stuff I guess - can get complicated really fast!

Here's a quick run down of the rights...

CBS still (and apparently have always had) the TV rights. So no MacGyver TV show can be made/broadcast without their ok.

Lee Zlotoff owns the rights to MacGyver so no new MacGyver product of any kind can be made without his ok.

This means that in order to have a TV show both Lee and CBS have to come to an agreement, but anything else such as comic books, movies etc those fall under Lee's ownership so he can make and do whatever he wants with MacGyver...except make a TV show.



So yes Avilos, you were on the right track with your thinking. It's a mixed up wed of copyrights.


Copyright - like any legal stuff I guess - can get complicated really fast!

Thanks for explaining that. Of course him giving CBS the OK to make a new tv show does not mean has any day to day involvement in it.

My questions for him would - Did him giving CBS approval to make a new MacGyver series end his say on it? Now they can do whatever they want. Or has he decided to just let do want ever they want and he is going to collect the money?