One by one, Ken goes over the many issues the WGA is fighting for and why they’re important. He also gives an overview of the situation and how it might play out. More podcasts at WAVE: Click here!
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
EP325: In honor of James Corden “Signing Off”
Ken wrote a one-act play about a late night host “signing off” that was performed by EST Los Angeles at the Atwater Theatre starring Nick Ullett and Clayton Ferris, directed by Tony Pasquilini. As James Corden exits his late night show, we reprise that play. To be enjoyed anytime of the day.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
EP324: More with Preston Beckman and the state of TV
As the television business continues to change on a daily basis, longtime media exec, Preston Beckman, gives you an overview of just where things currently stand.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, May 03, 2023
EP323: The current (for now) state of Television
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
EP322: More with Nicholas Meyer
Several movies that Nicholas Meyer directed are spotlighted this week including the incredible story of how STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KAHN came together. Oh, and Ken’s film, VOLUNTEERS is also discussed. Great stories from a great guest.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, April 19, 2023
EP321: Meet award-winning writer/director, Nicholas Meyer
The multi-talented Nicholas Meyer has written such novels as “the 7% Solution” and has directed such great movies as “Time After Time” and for my money, the single best Star Trek movie — “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn.” And those are just a few of his many credits. Now he can add “fascinating guest.”
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
EP320: Ship of Fools
Ken describes the hilarious misadventure of his first family cruise on the floating trailer park that is Carnival cruise lines. It’s an amusing and cautionary tale.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, April 05, 2023
EP319: Meet actress/writer Penny Peyser
The ups and downs of being a working actor in Hollywood. Being in one of the funniest movies ever made and being in an Oscar winner despite Robert Redford wanting her off the picture are just two of the many stories this week with Penny Peyser. And she throws in some sonnets! A fun episode to be sure.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Thursday, March 30, 2023
EP318: Take Two with Director, Pam Fryman
More with one of the top sitcom directors in television, Pam Fryman. Among the topics this week: dealing with actors and notably stars, dealing with showrunners, and directing live television. And how I pulled a prank on NBC while directing my first episode.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
EP317: Meet Sitcom Director, Pam Fryman
This week and next, Ken talks to one of the premier sitcom directors in television. 34 episodes of FRASIER, 95 episodes of JUST SHOOT ME, and 196 episodes of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER are just some of her many credits. Learn sitcom directing from one of the masters.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
EP316: Meet Cool Bobby Backman
Bob Backman is a fascinating guy who lives two lives — a highly respected broadcast executive and a rock n’ roll disc jockey (one of the last). It’s an episode about the value of passion and hustle and how to succeed in any field.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Thursday, March 09, 2023
You're invited to my play reading -- it's THIS SATURDAY
I'm having a reading of my new full-length comedy, LOVE AND TEAR GAS this Saturday at 4 pm at the Atwater Theatre in Atwater (of all places). It's set in the turbulent 60s and is a comedy that actually wants to get laughs. Lots of them. Above is my cast. A few tickets still remain. Pay what you want.
Here's the link. Click here to order your tickets.
There will be a talkback after. For me, it's a great chance to meet my blog readers and podcast listeners. Hope to see you Saturday. Thanks.
Ken
Wednesday, March 08, 2023
EP315: Misadventures in Rewriting
The wild ride that was rewriting JEWEL OF THE NILE starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It’s a crazy and typical Hollywood story.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, March 01, 2023
EP314: More answers to your questions
Ken answers listener questions involving writing, directing, the industry, and more. If you have a question, email it to HollywoodLevine@outlook.com.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Monday, February 27, 2023
Come to my play reading
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
EP313: Celebrity guests on CHEERS
Many celebrities stepped into the bar. Here are some of the stories about those appearances. Celebs included Johnny Carson, “Data,” Alex Trebek, Ethel Kennedy, Kevin McHale, an Oscar winner, the Speaker of the House, two presidential candidates, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a future FRIEND and more.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
EP312: Comedy Misdirection
Ken discusses a comedy trope that, if constructed correctly, can result in every sentence getting a laugh. Also included is an example — one of Ken’s ten-minute plays.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, February 08, 2023
EP311: Another Free Association Podcast
Ken just riffs about anything. Starting with his thoughts on NIGHT COURT and ending with the Boston Strangler… with stories about TV and radio and whatnot in between. It’s the podcast for people who like variety or have short attention spans.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, February 01, 2023
EP310: Getting feedback
Writing 101 is back in session. Ken discusses getting feedback — the who, what, and when of it. Valuable tips for making your script/play/novel/shopping list better.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
EP309: Location shooting in LA
After a recent Eddie Murphy car chase and crash outside his house, Ken decided to devote an episode to location shooting in Los Angeles. It’s one of the perks and curses of living in LA.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Thursday, January 19, 2023
You're invited to me free play reading!!
The Westchester Playhouse (conveniently located near LAX) is considering a full production of my holiday play, ON THE FARCE DAY OF CHRISTMAS and has arranged for a reading of it on Sunday, February 5th at 7 pm.
YOU'RE invited and it's FREE!!!
Unlike some of my other plays where I weave in social commentary and existential dilemmas, this one has none of that. I’m just trying to cram in as many laughs as I can in 90 minutes. And seriously, who isn't longing for the holiday season already?
I’ve put together a GREAT cast that includes Lynne Stewart, Harry Murphy, Elizabeth Saydah, Mark Hoffmeier, Leah Knauer , Arman Hovsepian, and Nancy Linari.
If you would like to go, please reserve seats by going to this email address:
farcedayofchristmas@gmail.com
Here’s the theatre’s address:
Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045.
There will also be free snacks and beverages, a talk-back after, and we’ll raffle off three copies of James Burrow’s book. And it’s a Sunday night. What the hell else ya got going?
Thanks much. Hope to see you on Feb. 5. And you people from Europe, I really appreciate you flying in for this.
Ken
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
EP308: I Sang That
More with session singer, Sally Stevens. Among the topics discussed: touring and writing with Burt Bacharach, thoughts on Karen Carpenter, a great Steven Spielberg story, singing for THE SIMPSONS, twenty years on the Oscars, and singing a duet with Frank Sinatra, which you will hear.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
EP307: The singer you’ve heard a thousand times but don’t know
Ken’s guest is Sally Stevens, a “session singer” who has sung on hundreds of hit songs, movie soundtracks, TV shows, the Grammys, the Oscars, commercials, and more. What’s it like to work with Sinatra? And get ready for a bizarre Danny Kaye story.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
Wednesday, January 04, 2023
EP306: January Questions
The podcast version of Ken’s popular blog feature, “Friday Questions.” Ken answers questions posed by the listeners. Topics include TV, writing, music concerts, and Neil Simon… along with some opinions on the current state of comedy.
More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426