Two of Us - the TV Movie - how much is based on actual events?

[albert_m]

Ok, I know that the Beatles are discussed to death here, but I have been wondering how much was true and was thought about it more with the other thread on "when were all four last together?"

Did Paul ever just show at John's place in Manhattan like that, that we know of? Was that the basis of the almost SNL reunion (or any other one for that matter)?

[Paul H]

McCartney is known to have visited Lennon on a few occasions in New York and, at one of those, legend has it that they nearly dropped by the SNL studios when a riduculous offer was made for them to reform. Whether it's true or not only McCartney knows.

I was under the impression that THE McCARTNEYS (plural) dropped by and that having Paul go on his own was a bit of artistic licence on the part of the script writers.

I actually find this movie vaguely touching despite a) the crap accents b) by stereotyping of their characters and c) the constant (clever clever) quoting of their lyrics. I can't imagine (oops) either of them ever quoting their own song lyrics to each other in conversation.

[Joel1963]

McCartney is known to have visited Lennon on a few occasions in New York and, at one of those, legend has it that they nearly dropped by the SNL studios when a riduculous offer was made for them to reform. Whether it's true or not only McCartney knows.

Didn't John recount this in his 1980 Playboy interview?

[vinylman]

Couldn't believe how bad 'Two Of Us' was when I finally saw it. It sounded to me like whoever wrote the 'script' had read a lot of interviews and just joined them up.

[Joel1963]

Couldn't believe how bad 'Two Of Us' was when I finally saw it. It sounded to me like whoever wrote the 'script' had read a lot of interviews and just joined them up.

Actually, I found it quite touching...

[MarkTheShark]

McCartney is known to have visited Lennon on a few occasions in New York and, at one of those, legend has it that they nearly dropped by the SNL studios when a riduculous offer was made for them to reform. Whether it's true or not only McCartney knows.

I was under the impression that THE McCARTNEYS (plural) dropped by and that having Paul go on his own was a bit of artistic licence on the part of the script writers.

I actually find this movie vaguely touching despite a) the crap accents b) by stereotyping of their characters and c) the constant (clever clever) quoting of their lyrics. I can't imagine (oops) either of them ever quoting their own song lyrics to each other in conversation.

I've just been working my way through the Season 1 SNL DVD. I also have been skimming through Tom Shales' book on the show, and in there, there is reference to this taking place the night Raquel Welch:righton: hosted. The original offer ($3000) was actually made in an earlier show, but that night, producer Lorne Michaels upped it to $3200!

According to the book, Michaels had his nephew, Neil Levy (a production assistant on the show) wait down in the lobby because (1) they had heard Lennon and McCartney were on their way and (2) there was a security guard by the entrance who was notorious for turning away celebrities who were there to tape shows, not knowing who they were, and it was assumed the same might happen to John and Paul. (In another show from that year, they actually made a skit out of this happening to Buck Henry -- I believe based on a real-life incident involving Elliott Gould.) I don't know if it's true that folks at NBC knew Lennon and McCartney had been planning to show up (does that mean John called them?) or if they just weren't taking any chances.

I also have heard McCartney wanted John Belushi to do his Joe Cocker impersonation at some party and offered him a sizable amount of money. Belushi did his Joe Cocker impression on the Welch show, so I wonder if that was how Paul knew about it. (John lived in the US, but I don't think Paul did at the time, did he?)

I love the callback they did on the Thanksgiving 1976 show when George Harrison was seen talking with Michaels. Michaels was telling him, "I thought you understood that it was $3000 for four people, but it would just be $750 for one.":D

[Oatsdad]

I love the callback they did on the Thanksgiving 1976 show when George Harrison was seen talking with Michaels. Michaels was telling him, "I thought you understood that it was $3000 for four people, but it would just be $750 for one.":D

Yeah, that was a great bit. IIRC, they didn't overexplain it - they relied on the viewer to remember the earlier show and figure out the callback on their own. Very good stuff! :righton:

[Oatsdad]

BTW, I thought the movie was a bit of a bore:

http://www.dvdmg.com/twoofus.shtml

[alylemoss]

The main thing that sticks in my mind about the Two of Us movie is that "Silly Love Songs" takes a beating. I wonder if real John hated it as much as fictitious John.

[MarkTheShark]

Yeah, that was a great bit. IIRC, they didn't overexplain it - they relied on the viewer to remember the earlier show and figure out the callback on their own. Very good stuff! :righton:

Yeah, it was subtle, and if you weren't paying attention, you would miss it. Still got a huge laugh.

In the same book, they were talking about what the SNL crew were planning to do if any Beatles showed up. Lorne Michaels was planning to ask if they had brought guitars, and remind them of a union rule that stated musicians had to bring their own instruments. "Sorry, fellas, can't let you play..."

[Oatsdad]

The main thing that sticks in my mind about the Two of Us movie is that "Silly Love Songs" takes a beating. I wonder if real John hated it as much as fictitious John.

Yeah, that bugged me too, especially since the movie's "Paul" didn't lash back at "John" for his crappy stuff. "SLS" is 1000X better than ANYTHING on "Some Time in NYC" and much of Lennon's other solo output...

[Greatest Hits]

The movie's definitely more of a fantasy (and it's not created for the die-hards, it's made to be understood by a "casual fan" so obviously it's not entirely realistic). I thought they did an okay job of presenting it though. Their accents weren't exactly "crap" (as previously mentioned), but Jared and Aiden's voices couldn't possibly sound any further than Lennon and McCartney.

Once I got past all that, I thought it was one of the better VH1-made TV movies ever done ("Out of Sync" and "Sweetwater" are probably my two favorites.)

The SNL spoof of it was pretty good, as well. John and Paul open up a fast food joint: "Number nine your order is up, number nine, number nine, number nine...."