As viewers, decades ago, it was ordinary for fans only to see the outcome of productions, whether they were made for television or film. Sometimes actors and producers would reveal behind-the-scenes footage, like short video clips and photographs, or do interviews where they went into detail about life on set or how their characters were developed.
Over the years, audiences have obtained even more insight into the wellbeings of actors and how their roles affected their personal lives. Lorne Greene is known for his role as Ben Cartwright in Bonanza and was never afraid to speak out about roles without actual meaning.
He even told the truth about why he wanted to leave the show after 16 episodes, explaining how he wanted his character to have more purpose and depth.
Although he and his fans are glad he stayed on the show after producers granted the change, he revealed another gig that played a massive part in him being cautious about roles. After Bonanza, Greene played in many shows, but Code Red, where he played a fire department chief, was one of the unhappiest times of his life.
In a 1983 interview, the actor spoke about the beauty of love and responsibility while revealing he hated going to work while filming Code Red.
“[Bonanza] became a story about… a series about a four-letter word, love,” he said while speaking on love. “Love of land, love of trees, love of the environment, love of people, love of the country.”
Greene then went on to talk about how television has an immense responsibility, highlighting how productions need to be accurate and truthful. “Television has a tremendous responsibility; The responsibility is to be accurate; The responsibility is to be truthful,” he went on. “The responsibility is not to mislead the viewing public.”
In another segment of the interview, the actor revealed he had to compromise on Code Red, which made him even more unhappy.
“I compromised. It was the most unhappiest time I’ve ever had in the business,” Greene said. “It was horrible. I hated getting up to go to work. I didn’t believe any of the scripts; I didn’t believe any of this could happen.”
Greene believed the show was too focused on fires and not actual firefighters. “You [have] to be careful about a series because you’re not in control.”
This realization prompted him to do a show where he was in full control, resulting in the nature series Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness.