Ted Lange

Most directors can't act, and the meanest ones are failed actors.

[Who started out as an unfamiliar actor, before he got his first breakout role as Isaac Washington]: Because I'm an actor. I know how to tap into what works for another actor when I'm directing. On the first day, I just let the actors go - I let them make all their suggestions. They like that, because so many directors hamstring them. And then, because I've done my homework on both the actor and the script, I'll say, 'Try this or that,' and they'll say, 'Wow! I should've thought of that!' By the end of the first day, I'm not ['Love Boat' bartender] Isaac Washington anymore. I'm the director and I've got them. Show less «

[When he was promoted from actor to director]: I started out to be an actor. Out of necessity, I found myself becoming a director, writer and screenplay writer to stay involved in the industry and in the exploration of the art. Show less «

I'm fortunate. When I get recognized, it's a nice thing. It's a good thing.

[When asked if all The Love Boat (1977) cast members, esp. Gavin MacLeod, who were there at the 2010 TV Land Awards]: Well, Gavin MacLeod [Captain Stubing] had a back operation - he hurt himself, hurt a couple of his discs - so he wasn't able to be there. We really missed him, because, you know, he's the anchor of the show as the captain. So I called him up and talked to him to see how he was doing, and he was a little weak, but he was recuperating well. But everybody else was there, and they all brought their kids. Fred Grandy [Gopher] brought his daughter, I brought my son...it was a lot of fun. Show less «

[When he responded if he had any on- and off-screen chemistry with Gavin MacLeod, who played "Capt. Merrill Stubing", and Bernie Kopell, who played "Dr. Adam Brinker", respectively]: Absolutely, because when you meet Gavin, he's the nicest guy, he is the greatest guy. And some celebrities you meet, they are very temperamental, emotional, and all these other things, Gavin was like a joy. And Gavin and Bernie [we called those guys 'The Old Farts'], Fred Grandy and I [can't tell you what we called us], we're the young [and it's the letter that starts with an 'S' and meets feces]. Well, that's what they called us, and they were the old farts. Anyway, the great thing about that is, they were old timers, because they've been around, once or twice, and they gave us a handbook to run the show by. Show less «

[About both of his acting mentors Gavin MacLeod along with Bernie Kopell, who went to one of Lange's plays, he directed]: I have written 21 plays, but Gavin came to my 20th play called: George Washington Boy, and it was about George Washington and his favorite slave. So, he and Bernie and their wives came down and saw the play. Show less «

[Of Gavin MacLeod]: Oh yeah, sure, Gavin was wonderful. Gavin lives down here in Palm Springs and we're still tight, all of us, Gavin and Bernie and Jill; we still see each other. Fred lives in a different state, we're still close, we're still good friends. Show less «

[on approaching Gavin MacLeod to see their own plays]: Gavin lives in Palm Springs, I'm in LA. So, when I do my plays, he comes down and sees my plays or I'll go see what he's doing! Show less «