The only thing I ponder about old shows of years gone by is looking up the actors to see if they are still alive and how much mileage they got out of their bodies since actors traditionally have used and abused themselves partying, multiple spouses, or dying prematurely. Wikipedia and FindAGrave have become my friend for obtaining the info on old actors. I find the western genre to be of particular interest since most of the hardcore western actors back then smoked like trains and very few made it out of their 60's. Puff puff pass. LOL

IIRC, "Animal" was sorta scruffy looking, and I thought that maybe it was how a lot of Viet Nam Vet combat photogs (that was his character's background) looked.
Watching him, I learned a good trick that I used often, and still do. A rubber band and a white 3X5 card on a vertical flash for diffused/bounce light. As a media center volunteer at the 2002 Olympics, I saw a European photographer using the same idea. I probably wouldn't have caught it, if I hadn't been a camera looney back then. I remember one scene where Lou Grant threatened to dock Animal's pay for not being "aggressive enough".() Made me happy I was no longer in the photojournalism game! But...back then, I would watch anything with Mary Tyler Moore in it!

I loved the Lou Grant series for many reasons. What I liked was the work of the actor Ed Asner- played the archetype grumpy guy!

The "Anima"l character was somewhat believable to me. I worked shooting NEWS for a daily newspaper for 3 years and we had a few characters like "animal" A few staffers were war vets or photographers that operated in war zones and were quite aggressive, kinda ingenious and very pro-active when it came to getting the shots under difficult or restricted circumstances. Some would cross police lines ducking gunfire, getting dangerously close to raging structure fires, walk on the field during professional sports events, and/or crawl, sneak or conniving themselves into places they were not allowed to be in! Climbing trees, utility poles, fire escapes, to get better as a daily routine. The boss would not usually assign these guys to diplomatic, society and social functions, or places where decorum was required or a dress code was in place. Since I serve in Vietnam, the boss sent me to every riot- there was quite a bit of political unrest at the time.

"I don't know where the "Animal" nickname came from? My first boss on the paper was kinda a blowhard and a bigot. He called me "Matzah Ball" and my French-Canadian colleague " Froggie"- not nice. Let's say I curtailed that behaviour. For a number of other grievances, the entire staff went on strike and demand his firing so the publisher bought out his contract and sent him into retirement.

I think this is a good thread with valid questions. I am always interested in how PHOTOGRAPHERS are depicted, characterized, possibly stereotyped, properly characterized or misrepresented in movies and TV dramas and comedies, perhaps because it influences the general public as to what photograher do, don't do, and how we are perceived when we work in public places. I am also very interested in the "technical advice" the producers and directors get or even or employ in their film making as the authenticity of equipment in use, the way the camera is handled, the manner in which the "photograher" operates and relates to their subjects.

Sometimes there are unpleasant characterizations. In many movies and TV dramas, photographers are characterized as excessively brash, rude and invasive individuals. Some are shown as voyeurs, pornographers, guys producing child pornography in a basement, or womanizers. There were many characters that were exaggerated kinda "prissy guys" or "masculine ladies"- certain not politically correct nowadays! In "Breakfast at Tiffanies" The Mr. Yunioshi character is a total crazy person!

Then there were the "good guys". Charl Bronson played the "Kike Novak role in "Man With a Camera" about a crusading photojournalist who helps solve crimes. The film "In the Public Eye, loosely based on the life of Weegee (Arthur Felig) was kid romanticized but the character was a "good guy". The actor level looks a bit like, Weegee. Y'all gotta love the 8x10 view camera with handsome Bob Commings holding a dark slide! Well- back in the day, lots of fashion spreads were shot on 8x10 chromes- the camera was authentic.

I do love the old-time movies withte exploding flas powder and everyone covered with soot after the exposure.

My lovely wife used to complain that we had to see every movie twice. Once for me to criticize the way "photographers" are holding their gear, the wrong equipment and of course analyzing the cinematography -DURING the movie. The second time to actually enjoy the story, the plot, the acting so we can actually discuss these things AFTER the movie. No issues- We are used to it, we have been at it for over 53 years!

As for the P.P.of A. Yup! Back in the day, We were all supposed to wear 3-piece suits and bow ties. The organization mainly consisted of portrait and wedding photograher who ran brick and mortar retail studios. Nowadas, there's more of a mixed crowd and the scene has changed. Of, course, in many business communities, one needs to "dress for success "and scruffiness is unacceptable.

At heart, I am kina shaggy but for many years I dressed in formal attire at weddings, and always had a suit on hand for negotiating contracts with ad agencies and certain commercial clients. Some of the folk scrutinize your shoes rather than your portfolio! On one occasion, however, an art director was taken aback my by 3-piece suit- he expected torn genes and a messy t-shirt- he said I did not look HUNGRY enough. I had to remind him that "starving artists" can not work efficiently for long hours and we do need to eat occasionally. I assure him that had some seriously messy overalls that I oud bring to shoots.

As for "ANIMAL"- I think the actor did a good job, had the right look for the character
s time, era and background. I have a picture of ME at a convention around that era. I guess I was semi-scruffy. I put on my best sweater because I was presenting a seminar. The pretty lad is my wife!

Also, attached are pictures of other TV and movie "photographers"! "Animal is included"- good-looking dude! There is a picture and the real Weegee and the actor- good match!