was that really Rob Stone in the gorilla suit? I don't think it was - the person was much too short and didn't have any lines. (But it was about the same size as Beckham). I also noticed that it was Stone's only directing credit on the show. I think they were pulling a fast one.
shareHe evidently couldn't handle acting and directing at the same time.
shareWell he did co-direct it with Don Corvan. So it would be easier to supposedly direct himself if Corvan was in charge of that scene.
On 'Alice,' Linda Lavin co-directed several episodes. I don't think she ever directed an episode alone. She was still required to carry the show and while they did write her out of some scenes (so she could direct), she was still the star and had to be involved with the main plot.
Here is an interview he did where he explains why he could not be in the episode.
http://www.oocities.org/mrbeaverfalls/rob4.html