tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post116525904502723119..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: How FRASIER came to beBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47827244347885771002008-08-09T15:02:00.000-07:002008-08-09T15:02:00.000-07:00As a stodgy law professor, I can safely say that F...As a stodgy law professor, I can safely say that Frasier is one of the few shows I actually watched and looked forward to watching on television (along with the history channel, nat-geo, Discovery, etc.) I have only felt that a handful of "sitcoms" have been worth wathcing--the two Bob Newhardt shows, Andy Griffith, Seingfeld, and Will and Grace--but I agree with British Channel 4 that Frasier was the best sit-com of all time. Although I have little use for most Hollywood writers, espeically those who write for movies produced in the lst 25 years (since the time special effects have dominated over good writing and story-telling) I have always been veryimpressed with the writing for those shows--espeically Frasier. I don't know how they do it, frankly, and would be most interested in a special of some sort describing how they do do it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1168541581294129612007-01-11T10:53:00.000-08:002007-01-11T10:53:00.000-08:00covers everything related to Entertainment and Nig...covers everything related to Entertainment and Nightlife, <BR/><BR/>such as Nightclubs, Event Photos, Restaurants,Special <BR/><BR/>Events, Event Tickets, Maps, Photos, Dating, Hotels, Hot <BR/><BR/>Spots, Event Promoters, Fashion Shows and More! On Hype1 <BR/><BR/>you can plan your night by viewing thousands of <BR/><BR/>nightclubs, events and restaurants across many cities in <BR/><BR/>the world. Remember , going out is easy, knowing where, is <BR/><BR/>not.Palanivel Rajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08359956947387572314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1168540906712975782007-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:002007-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:00covers everything related to Entertainment and Nig...covers <BR/><BR/>everything related to Entertainment and Nightlife, such as <BR/><BR/>Nightclubs, Event Photos, Restaurants,Special Events, <BR/><BR/>Event Tickets, Maps, Photos, Dating, Hotels, Hot Spots, <BR/><BR/>Event Promoters, Fashion Shows and More! On Hype1 you can <BR/><BR/>plan your night by viewing thousands of nightclubs, events <BR/><BR/>and restaurants across many cities in the world. Remember <BR/><BR/>, going out is easy, knowing where, is not.Palanivel Rajahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08359956947387572314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1167368772048607212006-12-28T21:06:00.000-08:002006-12-28T21:06:00.000-08:00I love this background on one of my favourite show...I love this background on one of my favourite shows of all time! I want to say, however, I did stop watching the season you hooked Niles up with Daphne at her wedding, and not really because of the pairing as much as the dilema that was created after the actress had her baby and the hokey storyline that covered up for her fat state. I rolled my eyes a lot and finally stopped tuning in. Something about that didn't work for me; it was almost insulting to me on some level despite my desire never to be pregnant or be that fat. Dunno. <BR/><BR/>Despite the need to write that particular plot device/storyline on your parts, I want to say that the writing remained as rapid fire, snappish, fresh and hilarious in those final seasons as it did in the first season, and that's no minor feat. I appreciate all of the hard work that went into that show - esp. the writing and acting. I'm very much looking forward to making you even richer through my purchases of all the Frasier series on DVD in the very near future.<BR/><BR/>A fan of your work,<BR/>Lilly<BR/>(www.lillywonka.com)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1166251493217170232006-12-15T22:44:00.000-08:002006-12-15T22:44:00.000-08:00Dear Mr. Casey:Just another note of thanks -- for ...Dear Mr. Casey:<BR/><BR/>Just another note of thanks -- for FRASIER.<BR/><BR/>I loved the show throughout its run and recently started TIVOing episodes to enjoy while gearing up to screenwrite.<BR/><BR/>Judy PotockiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165701099464249552006-12-09T13:51:00.000-08:002006-12-09T13:51:00.000-08:00I love true stories about make believe. Not that I...I love true stories about make believe. Not that I buy Soap Opera Digest or anything.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165616109707867052006-12-08T14:15:00.000-08:002006-12-08T14:15:00.000-08:00I followed a link from Mark Evanier's newfromme.co...I followed a link from Mark Evanier's newfromme.com to see this and I'm glad I did. I loved <I>Cheers</I> and was a devoted <I>Frasier</I> viewer for its entire run.<BR/><BR/>That <I>Wings</I> episode felt like a Frasier-and-Lilith pilot to me when it first aired, so much so that I included it with that season's <I>Cheers</I> episodes, which I was taping to save at the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165610007538924362006-12-08T12:33:00.000-08:002006-12-08T12:33:00.000-08:00ken, thanks...it's been fun for all of us...rosieken, thanks...<BR/>it's been fun for all of us...<BR/>rosieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165601868059712662006-12-08T10:17:00.000-08:002006-12-08T10:17:00.000-08:00"Instead of giving my version, which has ME respon..."Instead of giving my version, which has ME responsible for the whole thing,"<BR/><BR/>Ken, had you have put up <I>that</I> posting, I would have been totally entertained with Peter's responses. I would have invited friends, made heaps of popcorn, and maybe even had a betting pool.<BR/><BR/>Sigh. That game got rained out.<BR/><BR/>But hey, Peter, your origin postings were great.<BR/><BR/>And for you and Ken, and all the gang at "Frasier," thanks for making one of the best sitcoms ever.<BR/><BR/>Do it again, please.<BR/><BR/>-- Dave ODave Oldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13215102320199051371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165552475011230342006-12-07T20:34:00.000-08:002006-12-07T20:34:00.000-08:00You know that individual writers rarely write thei...You know that individual writers rarely write their own episodes. It's mostly collaboration, and sometimes the gang of producers do rewrites on stage if a line doesn't produce a laugh from the studio audience. I'd bet the two Davids and Peter had a heavy hand in the "Ski Lodge" episode.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165508738291666772006-12-07T08:25:00.000-08:002006-12-07T08:25:00.000-08:00Excellent account and very interesting. Nice to ge...Excellent account and very interesting. Nice to get the story from "the horse's mouth." Looking forward to more!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165494745511830752006-12-07T04:32:00.000-08:002006-12-07T04:32:00.000-08:00Thanks for the info, Peter. Here in the UK, Channe...Thanks for the info, Peter. Here in the UK, Channel Four are running Will and Grace followed by double Frasier each morning. Nature's anti-depressant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165463971589664032006-12-06T19:59:00.000-08:002006-12-06T19:59:00.000-08:00I know she had silicon breast implant related heal...I know she had silicon breast implant related health problems (according to IMDB anyway) but that's really all I've heard about her?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165463776071048822006-12-06T19:56:00.000-08:002006-12-06T19:56:00.000-08:00Peter, As long as you are pinch hitting for Ken an...Peter,<BR/> As long as you are pinch hitting for Ken anyway...how about a three-poster on 'Wings' next? <BR/><BR/>What ever happened to Farrah Forke?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165456297830128192006-12-06T17:51:00.000-08:002006-12-06T17:51:00.000-08:00I had no idea the ski lodge episode was Levine/Isa...I had no idea the ski lodge episode was Levine/Isaacs. "What arr you doeeng with zees lesbians?" Were Levine and Isaacs behind the creation of Cheers' Henri, as well? If so, they've got a thing for Frenchmen who still dress like beatniks.<BR/><BR/>It's interesting that Kelsey Grammar was more amenable to doing a spinoff than the writers considering how some actors worry about being too closely associatied to a role. On the hand, I'd bet he's happy not to have been confined to a wheelchair for 11 seasons.<BR/><BR/>By the way, the is an episode where a young Frasier and Niles are sitting in a school cafeteria and Niles says "this is the hardest roll since Hamlet". Who takes credit for that line? It's awesome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165442115598578352006-12-06T13:55:00.000-08:002006-12-06T13:55:00.000-08:00I've still got some catching up to do. Once, in ma...I've still got some catching up to do. Once, in maybe the third season, I sat my butt down on the couch with a sandwich in front of the t.v.<BR/><BR/>on the t.v. was a McDonalds commercial featuring Frasier (in substance) at a drive through ponitificating over his Egg McMuffin.<BR/><BR/>I haven't watched the show since. In that split second I got sick and tired of that character. now, I don't begrudge anybody a living and it's probably my loss.<BR/><BR/>I just wanted to get that off my chest. I'm not really a writer, I'm just a guy with a butt and a couch. No Egg McMuffin commercials, that's all I'm asking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165439634064601372006-12-06T13:13:00.000-08:002006-12-06T13:13:00.000-08:00Thanks for recruiting Peter, Ken! I greatly enjoye...Thanks for recruiting Peter, Ken! I greatly enjoyed reading about the origins of "Frasier," and I look forward to more--Niles and beyond. The talented cast and great writing (for most of the seasons, except maybe the last couple) easily put "Frasier" in the same classic category as "Cheers", "Mary Tyler Moore", etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165434513809088252006-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:002006-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:00Fascinating! And I must confess, from a viewer sta...Fascinating! And I must confess, from a viewer stand-point I love the cross-overs. I've always wondered why they're not done more often. Now I know - the writers eschew it. <BR/><BR/>(I suppose I can understand why though) <BR/><BR/>Great story! Looking forward to more.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165432730667480592006-12-06T11:18:00.000-08:002006-12-06T11:18:00.000-08:00Mr. Casey – thanks for the great post…Was hoping y...Mr. Casey – thanks for the great post…<BR/><BR/>Was hoping you might be up for fielding a question:<BR/><BR/>There’s clearly a difference in the type of humor we’re getting in shows like “The Office”, “Earl”, and “Two and a Half Men” vs. the type of humor we got in shows like “Cheers”, “Wings”, and “Frasier”.<BR/><BR/>For me, the latter type of humor is funnier and, for lack of a better term, timeless. Where as the former is a bit more graphic, gag driven, and will perhaps have a much more limited shelf-life because of it.<BR/><BR/>In your opinion, is the difference in types of humor driven by networks, show creators, audiences, some combination there of, or something completely different?<BR/><BR/>Thanks for answering it if you can. And if you can’t, I understand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165430317491897042006-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:002006-12-06T10:38:00.000-08:00Tremendous stuff. As a long-time summer Nantucket...Tremendous stuff. As a long-time summer Nantucketeer I have a complex viewing relationship with 'Wings,' but 'Frasier' was catnip all the way. This guest post is as good as the recent Comedy Conversation at The M. of T. & R. with the Charles Brothers and Jimmy Burrows. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165429468908156092006-12-06T10:24:00.000-08:002006-12-06T10:24:00.000-08:00Yowza! Need more!Was Jane Leeves noticed from her...Yowza! Need more!<BR/><BR/>Was Jane Leeves noticed from her "seinfeld" run as Marla the virgin?<BR/><BR/>How did Lisa Kudrow eventually lose out on Roz?<BR/><BR/>When did y'all come to realize that "Cheers" had also featured Frasier's mother? I know that you 'ret-conned' Niles (i.e., on "Cheers" Fraier had told the gang that he was an only child, and in "Frasier", when Sam visited, Sam told Niles this, to Frasier's chagrin.) How 'concious' were you in addressing his mother?<BR/><BR/>I really don't mean to nitpick - but I was a Cheers devotee from the moment I saw the breaking-glass promos during the final "Taxi"s. And I fully bow to you in keeping my devotion all the way through the "Frasier" run as well. You did everything right and created a show that stood proud in its own right. "AfterMASH" it ain't, to put it lightly. (Boy, that show must have haunted you during development!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165428457188585662006-12-06T10:07:00.000-08:002006-12-06T10:07:00.000-08:00"Frasier" is quite a gem - I've grown tired of "Se..."Frasier" is quite a gem - I've grown tired of "Seinfeld" and "Simpsons" reruns, and have turned to "Frasier" lately. It is wonderful, and quite different from "Cheers". Peter, BTW, the three seasons you and your partners were running "Cheers" (Shelley Long's last two years and Kirstie Alley's first) were the peak of that terrific show. These are the seasons I own on DVD. After you left, the characters became coarser and less nuanced, and the show wasn't as witty. It was never the same.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165419094921135222006-12-06T07:31:00.000-08:002006-12-06T07:31:00.000-08:00Great read, looking forward to tomorrow's entry!Great read, looking forward to tomorrow's entry!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165418971909491282006-12-06T07:29:00.000-08:002006-12-06T07:29:00.000-08:00From 1978 to 1982, I was at Emerson College in Bos...From 1978 to 1982, I was at Emerson College in Boston. The folks at the Bull & Finch pub (the one that inspired Cheers), would keep my electric typewriter in a closet and let me in before they opened so I could finish whatever paper was due that day.<BR/><BR/>I remember the early days of the show felt very much like the bar itself and I would delude myself into thinking that I had some part in inspiring the show. In hindsight, at best, I might have inspired one of the extras who regularly got told off by Rhea Pearlman.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1165416383545738242006-12-06T06:46:00.000-08:002006-12-06T06:46:00.000-08:00Ken, have a great trip. Mr. Casey, thank you for b...Ken, have a great trip. Mr. Casey, thank you for being here and sharing such a wonderful tale. I'm a great fan of Fraiser and Wings. Loved this post and very much look forward to tomorrow!Beth Ciottahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02251212401535078560noreply@blogger.com