This Love Boat Cast Member Revealed One Guest Star Irked Them (And Hated Magicians)

This Love Boat Cast Member Revealed One Guest Star Irked Them (And Hated Magicians)

As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the world of retro TV shows and celebrity lore, I can confidently say that Bernie Kopell’s anecdote about Debbie Reynolds on “The Love Boat” is as delightful as a well-timed power-up in a classic arcade game.


Discussing an iconic show like ABC’s “The Love Boat,” which has been on air for quite some time, it’s truly special to hear insider stories from behind the scenes. Luckily, many of the main “Love Boat” cast members are still with us today, and they often share fascinating tales. For example, Bernie Kopell, who played the role of Adam “Doc” Bricker, recently shared an intriguing anecdote about guest star Debbie Reynolds’ competitive spirit and her apparent dislike for magicians. During a panel discussion during Princess Cruises’ “‘Love Boat’ Celebration at Sea’ cruise event, Kopell, along with fellow “The Love Boat” cast members Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, and Jill Whelan, answered questions from attendees, and Kopell took the opportunity to share an unflattering story about Reynolds.

According to Kopell, Debbie Reynolds often craved the spotlight. He recalled an instance where she told him, “Bernie, you don’t need to do anything. I’ll handle everything. Just stand there.” During a scene with some magicians who were attracting too much attention for Reynolds’ liking, she approached the band leader and whispered something in his ear. Afterward, she instructed Kopell again to remain still while she took charge of the situation.

In Kopell’s account, the tale became a bit hazy, yet he concluded that Debbie Reynolds had been instructed by Eddie Fisher (or Reynolds herself) to dance to the Fandango music, which was played by the band leader. This presumably meant there was no need for any magicians in the scene. Kopell described it as follows: “They played the Fandango, and she started spinning all by herself, moving closer to me, then stepping back again. Our scene ended with her leaping onto my shoulder to thunderous applause. The title of the episode was ‘Debbie Reynolds and the Disappearing Magician’.

Debbie Reynolds was a seasoned veteran when she guested on The Love Boat

This Love Boat Cast Member Revealed One Guest Star Irked Them (And Hated Magicians)

In a nutshell, Debbie Reynolds, an accomplished actor and singer, graced the decks of “The Love Boat” as one of its distinguished guest stars. With a career spanning decades in the entertainment industry, she starred in some of Hollywood’s most esteemed films, such as “Singin’ in the Rain” and “How the West Was Won,” earning numerous accolades along the way, including an Academy Award nomination for her performance in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Given her impressive resume, it seems plausible that she felt right at home during her five appearances on “The Love Boat.

Bernie Kopell, recognizing Reynold’s abilities as well, spoke highly of her among the show’s distinguished guests on “Love Boat”. Although his praise wasn’t always glowing, he made a point to include her in that esteemed group. “I simply adored the individuals who joined us,” Kopell expressed. “We welcomed truly exceptional, extraordinary people: Eva Marie Saint, Shirley Jones, Debbie Reynolds. I enjoyed their company, valued their talents.

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2024-09-13 04:00