Guys, how’s this for a sure fire pick-up line?Margaret Colin is a fine actress. You’ve seen her on many things I’m sure. Recently you've seen her in THE GOOD WIFE, NURSE JACKIE, and GOSSIP GIRL. She’s been in INDEPENDENCE DAY, THREE MEN AND A BABY, and SOMETHING WILD among other features. In the late 80s and early 90s she was very hot in television. She starred in such series as FOLEY SQUARE, LEG WORK, SIBS, and CHICAGO HOPE.
Her first series was FOLEY SQUARE, a comedy that aired on CBS in 1985 right after THE MARY SHOW, which was our series (and could have easily been entitled FOLLY SQUARE). Neither show fared well and by early ’86 they were both cancelled.
Flash forward a few months. I’m on vacation at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara. Hanging out at the pool. And I see Margaret Colin. Actually, every guy saw Margaret Colin. On a scale of 1-10 she was a 52.
At one point we’re both in the pool. I swim up to her and with a panache that the Fonz himself would approve of, say, “Hi there. Y’know, you and I have something in common.” She rolls her eyes. Another schmuck. “What?” she asks warily.
I said, “You and I both killed Wednesday night for CBS”.
She was not expecting that. She laughed, I explained who I was and we had a nice chat bitching about the network.
A few years later she starred in SIBS for ABC and I did punch-up for that series. She told me that was the greatest pick-up line she had ever heard (and I’m sure she’s heard many).
So fellas, as a public service I offer the line to you. Best of luck with it. Let me know how it goes.
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ReplyDeleteDating: The Ken Levine Way™
ReplyDeleteStep 1: Become a respected TV producer.
Step 2: Get some war-stories under your belt.
Step 3: Hit on hot actresses.
I need some more help with Step 1.
FYI for readers: THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW is currently 66% off at Amazon.com. I wish I had the cash, because I'd pick it up for myself, but I'm sure other fans looking for a great opportunity to grab it will appreciate this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_378404342_3
It's also on Bluray now, too -- looking even better than the DVD apparently (which already looked stunning from what I've read).
I have always really liked Colin's work - I think I saw an episode of FOLEY SQUARE, but the show where I first got to know her work was SIBS. The quality of GOSSIP GIRL's scripts went downhill very quickly, but I loved the first season, and her work on the show, especially in that first season, was excellent.
ReplyDeleteLess well-known, a friend of mine directed her in an independent film.
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No, her first series was not Foley Square. She was a regular on both Edge of Night and As the World Turns before that.
ReplyDeleteI'll stick with "Would you like to come back to my hotel room with me for an afternoon of wild animal passion?"
ReplyDeleteLEG WORK's title referenced the unglamorous digging police detectives do on cases. One critic joked it also referenced how Colin's character usually wore short skirts. Based on the photo Ken used of her, I can understand why.
ReplyDeleteI saw on IMDB that LEG WORK also starred Frances McDormand. Would love to see an episode now; must have been some acting.
Now I REALLY want a failed writing project! Thanks, Ken.
ReplyDeleteCool line but it only works if you've also had a hit at some stage. If you do it while you're delivering room service, you just get a verbal warning not to hit on the guests.
ReplyDeleteHer husband, Justin Deas, is a great actor who has won multiple Daytime Emmys (I think the number if five for three different characters on three different soaps, all know canceled). She began there as well and was great. Got to see here on Broadway in a so-so show called Jackie where she played Jackie O and a troupe of actors played multiple characters. Everyone was good and the sets were inventive but the play was iffy and I unfortunately sat in the third row next to two couples, the wives of each pair who didn't seem to realize or care that the actors were live on the stage a few feet a way from them and could hear their nonstop blather. When I tried to get them to shut up (the husbands were embarrassed), of course they thought I was the one being rude.
ReplyDeleteWhen Eric Idle hosted SNL in one of the early seasons, he played (pre-Diana) Prince Charles and demonstrated sure-fire pickup lines such as "I'm heir to the throne of Great Britain -- would you like to rub suntan oil on my back" and "My uncle was just blown up by Irish terrorists and I don't think I should spend the night alone".
ReplyDeleteFell in love with Margaret on FOLEY SQUARE and that hasn't changed. Glad I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteWhenever someone asks Hugh Hefner what his best pick-up line is, he replies, "Hi, I'm Hugh Hefner."
First thing I ever saw her in was a TV movie called (I think) "The Return of Sherlock Holmes." She played Dr. Watson's granddaughter and resurrected The Master, played by Michael Pennington, from a frozen-induced slumber because Moriarty had given Holmes Bubonic plague and he was put to sleep awaiting a cure. I've been in love with the mighty fine Margaret Colin ever since.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the line, but I'll keep my old favorites: chloroform and a knife.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I tried the "we both killed Wednesday night for CBS" line. It got me NOWHERE, smart guy.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised to see that there are other members of the Margaret Colin Fan Club out there! I've loved her since Foley Square, and I believe I have one episode of Leg Work on VHS around here somewhere. I always felt bad she never had the huge TV hit she deserved. You will always have my eternal jealousy Ken!
ReplyDeleteThe best pick-up line I ever heard came from Les Nessman on WKRP: "Hi, I'm incredibly wealthy."
ReplyDelete"Hi. We have nothing whatsoever in common, and I know from the movies that incredibly sexual chemistry is the inevitable result. So shoot me down now, and meet me her tomorrow for the follow-up scene where we laugh about it and start falling in love."
ReplyDeleteI worked with her on the tepid movie Amos And Andrew 20 years ago - she was a very sweet lady (and can you believe they had her married to Michael Lerner in that?)
ReplyDeleteGary David Goldberg has passed away :( there are too many good people going at once, it seems :( Iconic writer, probably one of the last ones to bring real heart and emotion to sitcoms, just before they all became cynical like Seinfeld. From what I understand from people who worked with him a generous, funny, talented writer. Did you work with him on Tony Randall Ken? if so, could you share some stories?
ReplyDeleteI always thought she was very talented and very beautiful. I loved her in Now and Again. We saw her in Steel Magnolias a few years ago and she wonderful in that production as well.
ReplyDeleteYou should've seen her in the off-Broadway play SIGHT UNSEEN.
ReplyDeleteNude scene, 8 times a week. A friend of mine stage managed it (also in the cast, Laura Linney, fully clothed)
I know there's a small group of Letterman nerds who still love his "Top Ten Elf Pickup Lines," including, "I'm a magical being. Take off your bra."
ReplyDeleteA very good actress who should have been a major TV star, but was never quite in the right place at the right time. Still she has had a career that most actresses would envy. And that face, that voice, and that attitude. What a package.
ReplyDelete