It’s Time to Release Bob Dylan’s Full Dharma & Greg Tapes

by

In the third season’s fourth episode of “Dharma & Greg,” titled “Play Lady Play,” the storyline follows a typical sitcom structure, excluding any reference to “Nashville Skyline.” Dharma (played by Jenna Elfman) accompanies her high-school friend’s band during rehearsal since their drummer was sick with mono. Seeing an opportunity, she decides to step in and become the rhythmic backbone for the rock-and-roll group, Snot’s Army. The performance is funky, with Snot’s Army delivering a solid debut at their gig inside a garage. However, some parents disapprove of an adult playing music alongside teenagers within a garage setting, leading to Dharma’s dismissal from the band. With her drumsticks in hand, she leaves the group, but luckily, an opportunity arises shortly after for her to audition as a drummer for another ensemble in need. The leader of this new group? None other than Bob Dylan.

During the next three and a half minutes, Elfman, Dylan, T Bone Burnett, and other musicians improvise in an impromptu studio setting. Remarkably, Dylan is not grumpy but rather cheerful, joking, and enjoying himself, with Elfman providing the fuel for his amusement on the drums. This surprising appearance, even for someone known to occasionally push boundaries, occurred because Eddie Gorodetsky, a writer from Dharma & Greg, was a friend of Dylan’s (a friendly dig at Friends). The footage was significantly reduced from a longer filming day, with Elfman remembering that Dylan had the ultimate say in editing due to the extensive improvisation. Interestingly, the complete recordings of Dylan’s spontaneous sitcom guest role only exist in two places: a studio vault and Elfman’s home. She recalls, “It was a brief, magical moment in a delightful two-hour span of my life, and it remains there as a cherished memory.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=6Ix5Hn_NaTM

During the third season of Dharma & Greg, people’s perception of the show compared to other sitcoms airing across networks at that time was quite distinct because it offered a unique viewing experience. The show was tailored specifically for me, as I had been presented with numerous ideas during the mid-’90s. After turning down offers from initial creators who were busy or unable to start immediately, I received an offer from Chuck Lorre, who appreciated my work from my previous sitcom, Townies. We had lunch and he pitched me the concept of Dharma & Greg. They proposed a character whose essence remained consistent as you delved deeper, and I instantly connected with this idea. Consequently, without seeking advice from agents or others, I agreed to move forward with the project, feeling confident that it would be successful.

Initially, I was quite new and thrilled to be part of the scene. My abilities were recognized and utilized effectively. I rarely checked the ratings, honestly. I was informed about them, but it didn’t concern me. I didn’t spend time scrutinizing the competition. Instead, I enjoyed my time there each week. Admittedly, it might sound naive, but I chose to focus on aspects within my control. However, season three undeniably marked the pinnacle of its achievement.

It’s quite serendipitous that Bob made an appearance during our show’s prosperous phase. Now, you might wonder how he came to be associated with our production. Well, I’ve always harbored a passion for playing the drums but lacked the financial means to purchase one growing up. However, one day, I realized I could finally afford a drum set and decided to take up the instrument. So, my husband gifted me a drum kit for Christmas that year, and I began learning.

Intriguingly, when I shared this news with our writers, I mentioned that if they wanted to incorporate it into the show, they were welcome to do so. Interestingly enough, one of our writers named Eddie Gorodetsky, who had extensive music connections and a vast album collection, proposed an idea: “Bob Dylan is going to be on the show, and we’re going to create a scene where you audition for his band.” I couldn’t believe it when he said that! They had an electric silent drum kit in my trailer for me to practice on, and another one I used during filming.

Before encountering him, mentioning “Bob Dylan” would have evoked feelings of admiration from me. There’s a song from an obscure album called “Planet Waves” titled “Wedding Song,” which I adore immensely. While there are fans who know every song and detail about him, I was certainly a dedicated Bob Dylan follower before meeting him. Upon meeting him, I was quite taken aback because I knew of the hardships he had faced. I anticipated a weary individual given his history of loss, trauma, and adversity. However, what truly struck me in the dressing room prior to our encounter was a youthful radiance and curiosity in his eyes, as if he still marveled at life and people around him.

What was your initial approach when you met Bob to make things less awkward?

In reality, I was quite timid. To save time and be considerate, the setup had been done before Bob arrived. I didn’t know what to expect, so I prepared myself for disappointment. So when he approached me and said, “Hi, I’m Bob,” I responded with, “Well, I know that, and I’m thrilled you’re here. Thank you for joining us.” He then offered compliments and showed genuine curiosity about me, asking questions and showing interest in my comedy skills. His enthusiasm was reminiscent of a young boy’s curiosity. Given his past experiences, I had expected him to be more guarded, but he wasn’t. This caught me off guard, and I found it truly beautiful.

In contemporary times, I would feel more comfortable expressing myself freely due to a lack of fear. However, at the time, I found myself in situations that made me feel intimidated and uncertain about my self-expression. They told me, “Everything’s ready. We’re just going to film. Go ahead!” Essentially, it was an improvisation with no pre-written lines or scripts. We merely sat down and were filmed for approximately two hours. I interacted with him during that time, and they edited the footage together later.

Prior to that moment, I had never played drums outside my house or collaborated with another musician. I was clueless about it, and I think it was fortunate because I approached the situation casually and lightheartedly. I didn’t view myself as a professional musician striving for greatness, so I wasn’t daunted by sharing the stage with such talented musicians. However, it was an extraordinary experience. We were all taken aback, almost speechless, knowing that Bob Dylan was on stage among us. My actions could be summed up as, “I come in, I play, I leave.” It wasn’t hostile; it was just efficient.

In that moment, he couldn’t help but laugh while the camera rolled. He understood that we were in the world of sitcoms, not music, and he felt comfortable on my set. I knew that musically, I was stepping into his territory, yet he was gracious enough to make me shine brighter than ever with his exceptional guitar skills. We both respected each other’s talents, which led to us finding the humor in the situation. He generously allowed me to steer the comedic aspects of the scene, and his gentle touch made my performance sound like it belonged in a Traveling Wilburys record.

Now you’ve sparked my curiosity about the content from the extra hour and 57 minutes of footage. Here’s some interesting information. Bob’s contract, as it turns out, required all footage to be stored in the vaults at 20th Century Fox Studios, who produced the show for ABC. He was the one who approved the final cut, and any remaining tapes were not to be used, shown, or moved. A few weeks after our episode was filmed, Eddie (who is friends with Bob) asked if they could give Jenna all the footage for her birthday. Bob agreed, so I have a copy of the full two-hour recording. I haven’t watched it in a while, but I need to transfer it from an old eight-track VHS tape before I can watch it again.

Did the appearance of Bob Dylan in the show enhance it in any way, possibly boosting its visibility or making it stand out more amidst the competitive television market?

I’m not sure about the public reaction, but let me tell you, I can’t think of many sitcoms where a legendary figure like Bob Dylan actually played music with an actor. That’s quite unusual. In my opinion, it perfectly complemented everything that made Dharma & Greg unique, which hadn’t been seen on TV for a long time – the vibrant, humorous, energetic, and optimistic portrayal of Dharma as a female character. The inclusion of Bob Dylan playing music aligns with all the unique charm that characterized our show. To be honest, I adore shows like Frasier, Friends, and Seinfeld. However, what made Dharma & Greg special was its overwhelming aura of joy. It didn’t focus on the negative aspects of life, but rather on the humor and camaraderie among diverse individuals, all centered around someone who served as a positive influence. Having Bob Dylan appear is exactly the feeling of awe and wonder that defined Dharma’s character.

Read More

2025-07-07 19:54