David Isaacs and I were writing spec scripts at night, trying to break in, going nowhere. We had written a spec pilot that was an amateurish mess that would have cost more to produce than AVATAR. We then wrote a spec MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and RHODA. Our ersatz agent submitted both scripts and received two rejection letters (actually three -- the RHODA was submitted to two different producers on the show). We were going nowhere fast.
So I got in touch, sent him our spec MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW. He liked it, invited us in to pitch stories. They bought one and that was the start of our career.
But we never would have had an in to THE JEFFERSONS had it not been for Mom.
So thanks, Mom. For everything. I miss you everyday. Thanks also to Debby, the mother of my children, to Annie & Kim, the mothers of my grandchildren. And to all YOU mothers -- we salute you on this most deserved (although commercially manufactured) holiday.
Actually, Ken, if you study the history of the holiday in this country, your remembrance and honoring of your mother is exactly what the day was supposed to be for.
ReplyDeleteThe version of the holiday we celebrate began with Anna Jarvis, who intended the day to be an expression of gratitude, but removed from any commercialism. She actually desired it to be a sacred and liturgical day of thanksgiving. She was the one most responsible for the holiday becoming semi-official. Not only did she come to regret the commercialism and materialism of the holiday, she eventually worked against Mother's Day being a holiday at all, because her original intention was dishonored.
Point bring, to paraphrase Linus, your post is what Mother's Day is all about.
PS: Ever wondered how your TV credits might have read (as well as your Xmas card list) if your mom had instead been playing golf with Mark Burnett?
ReplyDeletePerhaps he could have saved the country by talking him out of ‘The Apprentice.’
DeleteHappy Mother's Day to you and your family, Ken. R.I.P. to your obviously amazing mother who gave us an incredible writer.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever posted your spec MTM script ? Since it's my all-time favourite show, I'd love to spend another few minutes with those beloved characters ...
ReplyDeleteThat's the best Mother's Day story of the decade. And one of my all-time favorite post of yours.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear a story about a loving, confident mother instead of blaming them for everything under the sun. I have a loving, supportive mother, too. One that even friends praise. Thank you for this post.
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