As it has just recently aired on NBC and because the performance of the lead was so phenomenal, the first casting grade to be done on this site will be for Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Mork & Mindy'. [To understand my grading process, see the FAQz section of the web site.]

  

Although this movie had cameo portrayals of stars such as Richard Pryor, Robert Evans, and Jay Leno, the cast will only be graded based on its five most prominent principal and supporting roles; however, due to lack of reference material for Harvey Severson and Valerie Velardi, the cast for those principal roles (David Richmond-Peck and Michelle Harrison, respectively) will not be graded.

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Chris Diamantopoulos as Robin Williams/Mork from Ork

  

Upon seeing the previews for the movie before its airing, one may have been cynical as to how well that unknown guy would fare as the comic genius Robin Williams; however, after witnessing the task, one could hardly distinguish Diamantopoulos from his archetype. As PopMatters said in a review, "… he's so good at imitating Williams that it makes Williams look a little less brilliant." An overstatement it may be, perhaps, but the words do capture the phenom that is Chris Diamantopoulos.

Every once in a while, a casting job will be done so well that "extra-credit" will be awarded. In other words, using the 4.0 scale could potentially earn a casting 5 out of 4. Diamantopoulos as Williams is a case in point.

Acting Skills: 5
Appearance: 3.5
Demeanor: 5
Average: 4.5
Grade: A+

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Daniel Roebuck as Garry Marshall

  

Of course, in the photo above, Garry Marshall is over 20 years older than he was in the days of "Mork & Mindy," but the resemblance Daniel Roebuck has to him is still evident. The aspect that Roebuck carries well in this role is smiling, something about which Garry Marshall has an endearing quality.

Acting Skills: 3.5
Appearance: 3.5
Demeanor: 4
Average: 3.7
Grade: A-

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Erinn Hayes as Pam Dawber/Mindy McConnell

  

All I can say is: SPITTING IMAGE!

Acting Skills: 3
Appearance: 5
Demeanor: 4
Average: 4
Grade: A+

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Tyler Labine as John Belushi

  

Acting Skills: 4
Appearance: 2
Demeanor: 4
Average: 3.3
Grade: B-

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Stacy Fair as Penny Marshall/Laverne DeFazio

  

Acting Skills: 3.5
Appearance: 3
Demeanor: 4
Average: 3.5
Grade: B+

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Those are the five roles that were significant enough to include in the grading process.
So, what's the cast's final grade?

Average: 3.8          Grade:

BUT WAIT…

Even though the roles didn't have enough screentime to merit grading, photos have been added below for the sake of comparison (with an opinion attached nonetheless).

Shaw Madson as Ron Howard/Richie Cunningham
(poor choice - worst of all the casting choices made)

  

 

Robert Clarke as Conrad Janis/Fred McConnell
(okay choice)

  

 

David Josefsberg as Henry Winkler/Arthur 'Fozie' Fonzirelli
(okay choice)

  

 

Maxine Miller as Elizabeth Kerr/Cora Hudson
(so-so choice)

  

 

Jeff Skinner as Jonathan Winters/Mearth
(okay choice)

  

 

Ona Grauer as Raquel Welch/Captain Nirvana
(good choice)