tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2041639744374224961..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Why do shows that were once good now suck?By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46849941056545140942011-03-24T10:11:14.612-07:002011-03-24T10:11:14.612-07:00Hello. I'm not sure if I should post my questi...Hello. I'm not sure if I should post my question here, or in the most recent post's comment section but I'm curious to know how you feel about Nancy Travis in the latest episode of "How I met your mother". Take CareNikos Fotakishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05302580819644683225noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71378570501053471112011-03-21T13:27:10.496-07:002011-03-21T13:27:10.496-07:00The lady in my avatar humbly requests of Chuck Lor...The lady in my avatar humbly requests of Chuck Lorre that in future syndicated airings of "Cybill" (admittedly not likely, but some channel may need filler when it can't sell an infomercial at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday), her Hollywood Walk of Fame star be removed from the show's opening credits and be replaced by Constance Bennett's. (I don't know if Cybill has filed as many lawsuits as Connie did over the years, but were that the case, I wouldn't be surprised.) <br /><br />Peter Bogdanovich and Orson Welles may have told Cybill plenty of stories about Carole Lombard, but what they evidently forgot to tell her is that Carole was beloved in Hollywood not only because she was beautiful and funny, but because she was <i>nice</i>.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17565960696579305522011-03-21T04:41:31.811-07:002011-03-21T04:41:31.811-07:00Thanks D. McEwan. :)Thanks D. McEwan. :)Nazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00316554604305098721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50586054377144239152011-03-20T17:53:58.942-07:002011-03-20T17:53:58.942-07:00Where did you get that photo of Cybil Shepard? An...Where did you get that photo of Cybil Shepard? And how soon until you find her hiding in the back seat of your car with a boning knife?Matt Pattonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21461511905278795242011-03-20T13:45:19.544-07:002011-03-20T13:45:19.544-07:00Much has been written about how Carrol O'Conne...Much has been written about how Carrol O'Conner and Norman Lear didn't get along while doing All In The Family due to creative differences. Well, O'Conner eventually did become Executive Producer, by which time the show was called Archie Bunker's Place, and it was just AWFUL.<br /><br />From interviews I've read over the years, I get the impression Norman Lear doesn't really like letting a show run for so long until it becomes a shell of its' former self, though a number of his did do just that. Maybe it's because of pressure from the networks or the stars themselves (as with O'Conner) that that's allowed to happen.Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38186283665852465992011-03-20T09:35:33.005-07:002011-03-20T09:35:33.005-07:00Don't forget about Roseanne. Lol.
Butler has ...Don't forget about Roseanne. Lol.<br /><br />Butler has always seemed so nice in interviews, it's a shame to hear that she wasn't nice in person.<br /><br />I would love to hear more stories of misplaced confidence/insufferable insecurity leading to massive problems on set.<br /><br />To be fair, being in such a position can be difficult and I'm sure bring out the worst in a lot of people. Work can be stressful, especially when it's your name which is supposedly carrying the show.<br /><br />Speaking of which, I've heard the following tip for all TV show creators: Don't name your show after the lead character!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6311026488950787662011-03-19T14:20:30.333-07:002011-03-19T14:20:30.333-07:00"Naz said...
I never knew Cybil Shepard was s...<i>"Naz said...<br />I never knew Cybil Shepard was so 'difficult.' Is that a secret?"</i><br /><br />About as "secret" as the fact that WC Fields was funny. Actually she's not "difficult." She's <i>impossible!</i> At least Brett Butler was funny as well as a horrible person. Cybill's just a horrible person.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70049826227471742322011-03-19T13:41:52.737-07:002011-03-19T13:41:52.737-07:00Cast changes can help. While the Shelley Long year...Cast changes can help. While the Shelley Long years of Cheers are still my favorite, it really did get freshened up when Kirstie Alley came on board. After five seasons, the Sam-and-Diane relationship had been taken in pretty much every direction it could've gone. Even on Happy Days, the show was rejuvenated a little after Ron Howard left. The show was sort of stuck in a rut at that point, and by removing the "Richie in a jam, Fonzie to the rescue" formula, the writers were forced to focus on other characters, specifically Joanie and Chachi. In fact, in my opinion that first season after Ron Howard left (1980-81) was perhaps better than his last couple of seasons on the show.<br /><br />But I suppose it all depends on the show, and how close to its <br />"sell by" date it is when one of the key cast members bails. For example, That 70s Show was pretty much running on fumes anyway when Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher left, and after they left the show became basically unwatchable. While the "who will replace Charlie Sheen?" question is obviously the more prominent question right now, don't forget NBC is going to try a Steve Carell-less version of The Office next season. And while the show's still entertaining, it's already been showing signs of them running out of ideas. So will replacing Carell rejuvenate the show, or just expedite its creative demise?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42527424157979818002011-03-19T11:43:56.902-07:002011-03-19T11:43:56.902-07:00I never knew Cybil Shepard was so "difficult&...I never knew Cybil Shepard was so "difficult". Is that a secret? I just thought she looked ridiculous wearing sneakers when she would be a guest on talk shows.Nazhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00316554604305098721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53240441237910119832011-03-19T09:54:47.602-07:002011-03-19T09:54:47.602-07:00I've found that when a sitcom gets big, the cr...I've found that when a sitcom gets big, the creator(s) often will start a new show and move on from the original show. <br /><br />The creator(s) love their characters. They invented them, they brought them to life. Every little quirk and witticism came from them, originally. They see themselves reflected in their characters and they nurture them. It's a lot like parenthood.<br /><br />When new writers come in, they don't have the same warm fuzzy feelings for the characters. My feeling is that they tend to torture the characters, although some would say "challenge" or "create dramatic tension." <br /><br />An extreme example would be the later seasons of "Caroline in the City," where a sweet, whimsical little show turned first into an opera of Caroline's unrequited love and Richard's sudden marriage to a European sexpot and then a jumbled mess where Caroline tried to fit her quirky little comic strip into a massive corporate structure -- kind of "Mary Tyler Moore" meets "Dilbert."<br /><br />A sad ending for a once-sweet show. <br /><br />--tTod Hunterhttp://tod-hunter.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40386039207198541822011-03-19T09:46:54.318-07:002011-03-19T09:46:54.318-07:00Hey, Cybil Shepard replacing Charlie Sheen would b...Hey, Cybil Shepard replacing Charlie Sheen would be something to watch (she's his never talked about briefly ex-wife who, after years of legal wrangling has found a way to get his house), although it might push Chuck Lorre over the edge...Lairbohttp://www.antfarmersalmanac.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69846578870041000392011-03-19T07:43:29.321-07:002011-03-19T07:43:29.321-07:00Have you ever been asked to provide a blurb for a ...Have you ever been asked to provide a blurb for a book and, if so, has it ever led to an awkward experience due to not liking the book?Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5765620514974443552011-03-18T22:16:58.704-07:002011-03-18T22:16:58.704-07:00Ken, since you and David's final writing for M...Ken, since you and David's final writing for MASH was also the final episode for Gary Burgoff, is there any different approach you take to the script when you're writing an episode where a significant change has to happen by the show's end (i.e. -- when you know a pre-determined outcome, like Radar goes home, has to be resolved by the end of the show and has to air at a certain time in the season, as opposed to a more open-ended script that can play in any spot in that season's rotation).Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3133328335611024342011-03-18T20:34:26.263-07:002011-03-18T20:34:26.263-07:00there should be a law:
the only known photograph...there should be a law: <br /><br />the only known photograph of <br />cybil shephard should be this one.normadesmondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17325110017442011627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5698468784380599182011-03-18T16:56:21.511-07:002011-03-18T16:56:21.511-07:00RE: Dennis Franz: He was very proud of having done...RE: Dennis Franz: He was very proud of having done his own nude-butt shot on <i>NYPD BLUE</i> You know who was <i>jubalent</i> about Franz doing his own nude-butt shot? The poor casting director who would have had to cast a Dennis Franz Butt-look-alike! Imagine those audtions! The one that actually made the casting director throw up would have gotten the job.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46961121376694576112011-03-18T16:49:33.859-07:002011-03-18T16:49:33.859-07:00The combination of the column title and that photo...The combination of the column title and that photo of The Cybill is so hilarious that you almost didn't need the column below it.<br /><br />Why do people still consider this just a blog about TV writing? It often has the travelogues, the AI recaps, lots of stuff I skip about baseball.<br /><br />And hence my point; it's about what you want it to be about, and we can pick and choose which parts of the buffet to enjoy. Same with your books. (You have two now! Eat your dust, Harper Lee!!) I know I will love the new book, having been on that mailing list for them (Have to wait till start of the month to order it. Tight money month), whereas I have no interest in reading your baseball book. But others do, and it's clearly your passion, so should we be saying: "don't write about baseball, just <i>M*A*S*H</i> and <i>Cheers</i>?" Of course not. Makes no sense even to suggest you limit your topics to what one particular reader wants you to write about.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to the Growing-Up-in-LA book you've treated us to excerpts from, and a book on your TV career would also be highly interesting (The chapter you could write on Ronny Gahame alone would be over-the-top hilarious), but that's no reason not to do another baseball book if you want to.<br /><br />Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olson in <i>The Adventures of Superman</i> with Ben Affleck, I mean George Reeves, did not want to do that show, but his agent talked him into doing the first season. (He wasn't in the theatrical film <i>Superman and the Mole Men</i> which was basically its pilot.) Jack is a highly intellecutal and brilliant man. He's written operas, for Heaven's sake. He was a friend of Christopher Isherwood. Even so young, he felt this show was beneath him. But his agent told him: "Hey, it's a few weeks of work and a paycheck. It'll probably never even air. It's just a very silly children's show. No one will <br />ever see it."<br /><br /><i><b>"No one will ever see it."</b></i><br /><br />Oops. Was ever a man more wrong, even George Bush? Jack found himself stuck saying "Jeepers, Mr. Kent!" for eight years, and even now, almost 60 years later, it still airs, and he's still Jimmy Olson to milions of people. He had to make piece with it, which he did.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53917251194733846102011-03-18T16:40:48.979-07:002011-03-18T16:40:48.979-07:00Ken-
I loved the book. Based on how much I enjoy...Ken-<br /><br />I loved the book. Based on how much I enjoyed it, I would buy a book by you on any subject you cared to write about (although a "Tales From the TV Trenches" book would be welcome).<br /><br />My question: Am I mistaken, or did you work on "The Odd Couple"? If you did, I'd love to hear some stories about that, as I think it is one of the best sitcoms of all time.<br /><br />If you didn't work on the show, just write abut something else. I'll still read it.Bill Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00231144346597143968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43281091898706002782011-03-18T15:04:40.690-07:002011-03-18T15:04:40.690-07:00For those who haven't noticed...EVERY time Cyb...For those who haven't noticed...EVERY time Cybil Shephard appears on the David Letterman show, Paul Shaffer's band plays "Bitch" by the Rolling Stones as she walks out on stage. Apparently, she hasn't picked up on it.Jeffrey Leonardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67388603044917049832011-03-18T13:34:29.370-07:002011-03-18T13:34:29.370-07:00Isn't Cybill Shephard too big a movie star to ...Isn't Cybill Shephard too big a movie star to do a sitcom?Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30812392263280821692011-03-18T13:12:45.228-07:002011-03-18T13:12:45.228-07:00Ken,
Great column as always. My question deals wi...Ken,<br /><br />Great column as always. My question deals with the transition from "just a writer" (I fully acknowledge being a writer on a good show is like being just a .275 hitter in the major leagues - incredibly difficult) to showrunner?<br /><br />Again, keep up the good work.Jim Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64815538727352447812011-03-18T11:37:12.523-07:002011-03-18T11:37:12.523-07:00Based upon the Cybill pic, I'm guessing that i...Based upon the Cybill pic, I'm guessing that in her new sitcom, she plays the Secretary of State...VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60268069576202070502011-03-18T11:30:02.416-07:002011-03-18T11:30:02.416-07:00I know it has happened before, but cannot recall t...I know it has happened before, but cannot recall the circumstances - but I would not replace Charlie Sheen, I'd suggest taking the same cast and doing an entirely different show. If the best wisdom is to do "The John Cryer Show" so be it.. <br /><br />The only examples I can recall are semi-tragic attempts to convert sitcoms (Gomer Pyle, the Brady Bunch) to variety shows. And I can't imagine this cast in anything other than a sitcom...Phillip Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498595633633248863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24789226792881794582011-03-18T11:26:06.108-07:002011-03-18T11:26:06.108-07:00Marija,
Yes, you can order it in any format. Jus...Marija,<br /><br />Yes, you can order it in any format. Just got here. <br /><br />http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45343<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />KenBy Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-28189365779855078682011-03-18T11:19:02.202-07:002011-03-18T11:19:02.202-07:00As noted above, the addition of Lt. Buntz to Hill ...As noted above, the addition of Lt. Buntz to <i>Hill Street Blues</i> during its last two years did soften the decline of the show somewhat (despite Steven Bochco leaving at the end of the previous season). But that was an interesting case because Dennis Franz had made a very big impression a few years earlier in a multi-episode arc playing a different character entirely, Sal Benedetto. Bringing Franz in permanently as Buntz was therefore more radical than, for example, adding Col. Potter to MASH after Harry Morgan's earlier role as a loony higher-up in a single episode.<br /><br />WV: grogir - hey, it isn't Purim yet (but very soon).gottacooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10418819780609315462011-03-18T11:02:59.020-07:002011-03-18T11:02:59.020-07:00One of the funniest comments I read on a news site...One of the funniest comments I read on a news site defending Charlie Sheen's $100 million lawsuit was by a Sheeniac who said that Chuck Lorre must be an a-hole because he's clashed with all the stars he's worked with: Roseanne, Brett Butler, Cybill Shepherd and now Charlie Sheen. <br /><br />I replied that I've never met Chuck Lorre, but if he's worked with all four of those actors and never committed murder, then he must be a candidate for sainthood. <br /><br />BTW: "Anonymous said...<br /><br /> B-U-S-E-Y"<br /><br />We know it's you, Gary.Pat Reederhttp://www.hollywoodhifi.netnoreply@blogger.com