MovieChat Forums > Remington Steele (1982) Discussion > James Read????????????????? ????????????...

James Read????????????????? ????????????????

posted 10 years ago by richard.fuller1
9 replies | jump to latest

I'm watching some of these episodes, or I've caught an episode or two, with the recent airings on MeTV.

Apparently I watched NOTHING of this show when it started, and only picked it up later when people were talking about it.

I remember NOTHING of James Read. First heard of him on North and South (something else I never watched), but on North and South, his hair was darker.

Here on Remington, he is very fair-haired.

More astonishing, when I watch the episodes and he and Remington are together, I feel like I am watching Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy on The Hardy Boys!

As things emerged difficult later on on the show, I'm surprised they didn't write her off the show and just let Brosnan and Read become the bickering duo.

[–] ggiroux3 10 years ago

James Read was only one for the first season, well before there was tension between Brosnan and Zimbalist. Apparently he wanted out of the show because of his character's limited screen time and potential. The last four seasons had Doris Roberts, and I never liked her or her character.

In case you were unaware, Read married his N&S 'wife,' Wendy Kilbourne; they are still married today. She left The Night caller when she got pregnant.

[–] rockmail 10 years ago

Doris Roberts is like some kind of bird flu that comes in and infects shows while it's immune system tries to get rid of her. The same generic wisecracking "character" everytime. Like a plug in module of some kind.

I guess she serves a purpose, like the lighting and cameras, but she certainly isn't a brilliant performer.

[–] Euphrosyne 10 years ago

lol - I'm going to have to disagree.

I loved it when Read was on - I had a big crush on him. He was what the show needed at the beginning of it's run and he was great in the role.

But the show changed, and I think that Roberts was what the show needed after that. I liked her in the role & thought she did a really good job.

I probably stopped watching somewhere in the 4th season, so can't really speak to much after that, but while I was watching, I loved both Read and Roberts in their respective roles.

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] I_Guard_Tanelorn 10 years ago

He's the worst example of an unnecessary redundant character i've ever seen in a show. It's actually embarrassing sometimes to watch the scenes with him and Pierce bickering. And the way they always have him whining about Steele being around. Sheesh.

"I said no camels, that's five camels, can't you count?"

[–] engle_james 9 years ago

I loved James Read as Murphy, and I also liked Janet DeMay as Bernice Fox. She was very amusing as the receptionist. I think the show may have saved some money by replacing the two actors with one by combining the two roles into one. Doris started out as the office manager but worked her way up to apprentice. I didn't care for her at first at all, but she did kind of grow on me to the point that I could tolerate her, and there were a few episodes where she shined. But I wished Murphy and Bernice had stuck around.

[–] mrwiseman-1 9 years ago

I liked Murphy, but his constantly undermining Remington was done to death. It was clear by the last half of the first season that Pierce and Stephanie had the acting chemistry that held the show together (personal issues aside). The show worked with less Murphy, and I suspect they realized it and Murphy was relegated to getting reports. I always wish Murphy could have returned. I could understand why Read left, they never developed his character beyond being a roadblock. His final episode they branched him out to be helpful to the case (with a girl other than Laura) and he was fantastic. If they had had that Murphy earlier in the season I would have wanted him to stay.

I loved how Mildred bolstered the Laura/Remington relationship. She was their cheerleader...especially in her lack of knowledge about her boss. I liked it. It allowed the two develop their relationship and for Remington to stretch his wings as a detective with far less hindrance. i love than she was an older woman. In this day in age they would have to cast a former Victoria's secret model in the part.

All the best

[–] w22nuschler 8 years ago

James Read was better than Pierce on the show. I thought Season 1 was the best becasue of the way they worked off each other. I remember an interivew with the creator saying they decided to mold Read & Bernice's characters into one character which became Doris Roberts. I think there was just not enough room for everyone. I did like all the characters on the show. I think Laura Holt is my favorite female charater of all time.

[–] Techto (1066) 3 years ago

> I loved James Read as Murphy, and I also liked Janet DeMay as Bernice Fox.

Me, too! Doris Roberts as Mildred grew on me to the point where I found her tolerable but I was very disappointed at the start of the second season. I don’t blame Read for being disappointed in his character, though. Murphy, as written, was sort a one-note Charlie.