Gleason, Where Are You?!
Jackie Gleason came from improv beginnings, and so that meant he was famous for hating the rehearsal process. Gleason refused to rehearse, because like with improv, he wanted the spontaneity of a moment to flourish within a scene. Because Gleason almost never rehearsed for the sitcom, it proved to be difficult for the other actors since it was filmed in front of a live audience.
It’s said that there were creative differences over Gleason’s love of improv, as some of the other actors on the show didn’t exactly see it from Gleason’s perspective. Because Gleason ducked out of rehearsals for The Honeymooners, the others would read his lines during their own rehearsals so they would be prepared for their scenes.
