Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Episode 2: The Warmhearted Writers of MASH


Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of television's greatest hits as Ken Levine discusses how the writers of MASH handled the actors' notes. Plus, we learn about Ken's ersatz radio career, and he uses a popular segment from his award-winning blog by taking listener questions! This episode is filled with insider information on what goes on making a hit show including stories of what the audience usually doesn't see!

Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!

14 comments :

Barry Traylor said...

Loved the story about the nit picking complaints which then would turn into a Korean Winter episode in a California Summer. Very humorous.

B A said...

That young Cleaver fellow was brilliant!

Mike Botula said...

I definitely think you have found a new career line, Ken - podcasting. Listening to your air checks also reminded me just how much fun radio was in the "Good Old Days! I actually remember stumbling across your show as I dial-surfed, thinking "BEAVER CLEAVER?" Then I remember Jerry Mathers brief career as a deejay (KEZY, I think), as "The REAL Beaver Cleaver." Fun stuff!

katenhor said...

Love the podcast!

Bob Sharp said...

Love the podcast and the air check. It is somewhat ironic that you followed it with the Rick Carroll story given that you paid tribute to Bob Lewis ("set the divariable veeblefertzer for the past and let the time slide roll") and Don ("Quack Quack") Imus, although they were in New York (and Lewis a decade before) rather than the Southland.

Roger Owen Green said...

I DO remember The Tony Randall Show, and the specific ep you mentioned. I think the length on your 2nd show is better than the 1st one.
I believe you should pitch voting for you on iTunes at the END of the podcast because you've just entertained us. One might forget from 30 or 40 minutes ago.

julian said...

are you aware that Sorkin used the 'dead guy wins the election' story to get rob lowe off 'the west wing', and josh malina onto same?

methinks Sorkin saw yr Tony Randall episode!

pfh64 said...

Ken enjoying the podcast. My question is, how did baseball end up being part of the equation?

JR Smith said...

Takes me back. I was listening live to you on Ten-Q in '77. Going to the Don Martin School of Communications on Hollywood Boulevard and living in a little studio apartment on Ivar Avenue. I'd get off school at ten o'clock at night, walk up the Boulevard stepping over passed out addicts and dodging hookers. Ahhh...Hollywood in the 70s!

Jahn Ghalt said...

Damn, Levine - Room Service was BRILLIANT.

A dozen belly laughs in 22 minutes. To steal a line from the episode, "you must be very proud."

And Lillith with her hair down in that cocktail dress - to steal another line: "OH BEBE!".

One might think all those times to use the narcolepsy gag would be too much - but it worked every time.

This time I'm glad I didn't watch every season. Good Show.

Jon said...

Thanks for starting these podcasts. I loved hearing a bit of my favorite Turtles song too.

Johnny Walker said...

Already? Great! Looking forward to another ep!

Philip Guest said...

Enjoyed the first two podcasts, Ken.

One question (which I'm sure you'd have answered before) - over here in the UK, the BBC broadcast MASH without the laughter track. My family didn't know there was originally such a track, until they accidentally broadcast an episode with it on. You know in THE PRODUCERS the look on the audience's faces after the first song? We had that and then some.

My question is - would you have preferred the show to go out in the US without the laughter track?

Unknown said...

I had to check to make sure my car radio didn't magically turn into satellite radio... I thought I was lisrening to The Bridge for a while.

I've enjoyed your first two episodes, and hope to hear a lot more.