TV shows are carefully scripted, and the perfect, finished result we see is usually the results of countless takes. But once in a while, mistakes, bloopers, and random improvisations actually help make a scene or character better than the writers had imagined.
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The car not starting made this Seinfeld episode iconic
Seinfeld has countless iconic episodes, and The Parking Garage is one of them. Somehow these brilliant writers and actors managed to make an entire episode in a parking garage entertaining. But the perfect punchline at the end, was a complete accident.
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After the gang has finally found their car and jump in – it doesn’t start. That was not scripted, the car literally wouldn’t start. So despite the written ending being Seinfeld and co driving away, the mishap with the car seemed a lot funnier to everyone, and was kept in the final edit.
Scrubs’ Janitor improvised lines
Medical sitcom Scrubs is filled with unique characters and quirky writing, but it wasn’t all scripted. The unforgettable Janitor, actually improvised a lot of his super weird lines.
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The writers just trusted the actor Neil Flynn enough to make it work, so once in a while the script would read “whatever Neil says”, and whatever Neil as the Janitor came up with on the spot would often just add some random hilarity to a scene.
Ross saying ‘Rachel’ by accident
Ross and Rachel’s will they or won’t they storyline was a huge part of Friends. But that gasp worthy scene when Ross accidentally said “Rachel” instead of “Emily” at his own wedding to the latter, was actually not in the original script.
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In an earlier and less dramatic scene, David Schwimmer got the two names mixed up, and his mistake gave the writers the idea to use it in the wedding scene. And we can all agree it was the perfect way to show the audience that deep down Ross still wanted Rachel, not Emily.
Genuine jump scare reaction
There’s not shortage of terrifying scenes in The Haunting Of Hill House, but this one almost gave us a heart attack. As Theo and Shirley are arguing in the car, suddenly Nell’s ghost jumps out from the backseat, terrifying them (and us) in the process. But did you notice the actresses’ reactions here seemed almost a little too real? That’s because they were.
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In the script, they had more dialogue to get through before Nell was supposed to make her appearance. But the show’s creator Mike Flanagan had told the actress Victoria Pedretti to jump in earlier, to achieve that very real reaction.
Will’s speech about his dad
The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air was a sitcom that rarely ventured from comedy to drama, but on the rare occasions it happened – we often got a glimpse of Will Smith’s broad acting talent. Like in this heartbreaking scene, when Will’s father yet again bails on plans with his son.
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At first Will tries to keep a straight face in front of Philip, but then goes into a vulnerable speech about his dad not wanting him. That was completely improvised by Will Smith, and the real, raw emotion in that scene makes it one of the best on the show.
Baby Holly had some serious improv skills
Actors and directors alike know that there is nothing more challenging than doing scenes with animals and babies. They can’t take direction as well as adults, and tend to ruin takes just by doing normal animal and baby things. But this is an example of a baby who “messed up”, but made the scene so much better for it.
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On Breaking Bad, when Walter White kidnaps Holly, the baby suddenly says “mama, mama”, and it fits in perfectly with the dramatic plot. But no one knew the baby would say that, she clearly just has a talent for improvisation!