He's got the conman thing nailed. Yet there's something odd about his face, when the camera zeroes in on him singing. (See THE VIEW this week). His smile is chilly, he has an odd blankness, especially in the eyes, a certain flat, shark-like quality. And there's one line in MUSIC MAN that must land: when Hill says "oh, there's always a band," or words to that effect. He must halfway believe in his own bs. If he's so slick he's all mendacity, he's an empty vessel, not worth saving by Marian. In effect, they must rescue each other for the love story to work. Hill has to show you glimpses his core humanity, buried as it is. I think McFarland could work at it, but work he would have to.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling