tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2260763551592610645..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Starting a pilotBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50736681803649314412007-06-17T01:55:00.000-07:002007-06-17T01:55:00.000-07:00I second the awesomeness of above comment.A better...I second the awesomeness of above comment.<BR/><BR/>A better request might be to see the pilot uploaded somewhere for us to check out a la "Nobody's Watching" and "Heat Vision and Jack."Donlee Brusselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02241366685724093990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83458134435098570192007-06-15T20:31:00.000-07:002007-06-15T20:31:00.000-07:00Great. I'm getting notes on a failed pilot.Funnies...<I>Great. I'm getting notes on a failed pilot.</I><BR/><BR/>Funniest line I've heard in months.Jesse Wendelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15715667821063532925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39724916683296940662007-06-15T19:00:00.000-07:002007-06-15T19:00:00.000-07:00Seems like it would be a tough premise to sustain ...Seems like it would be a tough premise to sustain -<BR/><BR/>I thought the same thing about Frasier. Who wants to listen to this pompous ass each week? After the first couple...me. Have enjoyed each episode since.<BR/><BR/>Pity about this one, love the premise and I'll also put my hand up for more please Mr Levine.<BR/><BR/>cheers<BR/>Dave.Grubberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10435524784373114313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79072006590141520152007-06-15T17:07:00.000-07:002007-06-15T17:07:00.000-07:00I'll keep my notes to myself, then… And I'll shoul...I'll keep my notes to myself, then… And I'll should probably delete the entire spec script I just riffed off your opening. <BR/><BR/>I suppose I could recycle some lines for my other spec, tentatively titled, "America's Most Idle Fifth Grade Survivor Brothers," starring Howie Mandel (as bipolar twins) behind the scenes of a hit reality-based gameshow.<BR/><BR/>I think I'm on to something… Maybe I'll get an agent now.Richard Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04094016831874148306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58774419161932410752007-06-15T16:46:00.000-07:002007-06-15T16:46:00.000-07:00What I thought of when I read (and enjoyed) this b...What I thought of when I read (and enjoyed) this bit of script was the old Phyllis Diller sitcom "The Pruitts of Southampton," which my TV reference says aired in the fall of '66 (I would have been 10 but must have seen it often - I still remember the theme song). An inverse situation in some ways; that is, Diller et al. are trying to keep up appearances in their mansion while secretly they are broke. <BR/><BR/>I liked "Love & Money" (mentioned above) - saw the first episode and one or two others (was that all that aired?)<BR/><BR/>Yes, please share more of this script.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73004139026152666512007-06-15T15:04:00.000-07:002007-06-15T15:04:00.000-07:00Great. I'm getting notes on a failed pilot.Great. I'm getting notes on a failed pilot.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2539874264736556992007-06-15T14:39:00.000-07:002007-06-15T14:39:00.000-07:00I agree with Eric's comment. What would episode #1...I agree with Eric's comment. What would episode #100 look like?<BR/><BR/>Why not turn this into a movie? It would appear easier to sustain the joke for 90 minutes than for a hundred episodes. With a movie, you would not have to worry about the kids aging. :)<BR/><BR/>Now, to get nit-picky. Community college to Stanford? Er, not really possible. Maybe community college to Cal State Dominguez Hills, but only if your character teaches a business subject (i.e., finance, marketing, accounting) or a hard science. Otherwise, no way<BR/><BR/>How about this as the set up: Karl lost his mid six figure audit job. Scapegoat? Maybe. Now, the family is living off its savings while Karl gets by on a mid 50s community college (yes, community college in California pays that lousy for accounting faculty). They downsize their lives (new community, small house, driving a Ford, box wine, etc). Good product placement potential along with a music montage. Buster Keaton set to music.<BR/><BR/>Karl tries to get a job with Grant Thorton but hilarity ensues. He loses out on the job. Cat's fault?<BR/><BR/>Money is running out. Karl is feeling the pressure. Third Act goes two ways.<BR/><BR/>One, Karl figures out that accounting teachers can make a difference in this world. Good MoS potential.<BR/><BR/>Two, Karl helps out a couple of kids from class launch their business, and Karl gets to tell the old firm (or Grant Thorton) to stick it along the way.<BR/><BR/>Please send all checks (upfront points only) to...Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08141427447547237948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85369804471326552542007-06-15T14:26:00.000-07:002007-06-15T14:26:00.000-07:00"Dad, What's a SITCOM?""Well son, long before you ..."Dad, What's a SITCOM?"<BR/><BR/>"Well son, long before you were able to TiVo 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader' and 'National Bingo Night' while lying on the beach with your Apple iPhone, there were shows created by funny writers and starred talented actors. They were usually 1/2 hour long, same time, each week. We could hardly wait for Thursday night because these shows were so darned good!"<BR/><BR/>"Sorry, Dad, can you repeat that? I was just texting my vote to keep Sanjaya on 'Amercan Idol' and didn't hear you"<BR/><BR/>"Nevermind, it doesn't matter"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74179990999309260252007-06-15T13:52:00.000-07:002007-06-15T13:52:00.000-07:00Ken,Didn't get a chance to post earlier, so some o...Ken,<BR/><BR/>Didn't get a chance to post earlier, so some of my thoughts have already been expressed by others, but I remember you mentioning this pilot to me when we we talked back in October. Glad I finally got a chance to read some of it. Loved the characters and setup for everyone to be introduced (still laughing!). I can imagine the log lines you and David might have come up with for possible episodes: every attempt by the Mallards to upgrade their social status or prove how much above their neighbors and associates they actually were would be derailed by some character flaw in one of them revealed by black sheep Clay which would naturally lead to the rest of them going into denial about it. If he hadn't already played that type of character in THIRD ROCK FROM THE SUN, I could have imagined John Lithgow playing "Le homme de la maison"...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12230177559963141962007-06-15T12:38:00.000-07:002007-06-15T12:38:00.000-07:00Is it me, or do you guys specialize in young balls...Is it me, or do you guys specialize in young ballsy girls? First there was Almost Perfect, now this great little gal. I also understand you were the Lillith experts on Frasier. I guess she wasn't as young and ballsy as she was terse and scary with the legs of a Broadway dancer, but you get my drift. You, Ken, are in touch with your inner chick.Julie Goes to Hollywoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12884694303085891898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24000541397695016982007-06-15T12:25:00.000-07:002007-06-15T12:25:00.000-07:00I actually saw this pilot, and really liked it. F...I actually saw this pilot, and really liked it. Felt a little like the dad was miscast, but it seemed like the perfect fit for the schedule and was very funny. Loved Clay. Ken, for what it's worth, I gave it my vote - unfortunately, it didn't count for much back then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26238258540219785822007-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:002007-06-15T11:15:00.000-07:00Yes, very like "Keeping Up Appearances" except it'...Yes, very like "Keeping Up Appearances" except it's a whole family of Hyacinths! I have always dreaded the possibility that US TV would grab that very British show and completely maul it the way they did with "Fawlty Towers" with Bea Arthur. <BR/><BR/>Not that I'm accusing you, Ken! It seems you had a specifically American angle to your snobs.<BR/><BR/>By the way, love your blog! I read it every day!<BR/><BR/>FranAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62440722137405996702007-06-15T10:27:00.000-07:002007-06-15T10:27:00.000-07:00I remember reading this a couple of seasons ago. ...I remember reading this a couple of seasons ago. What do you think killed it? Reminds me a little of Staley and Long's "Love & Money." I don't mean derivative; class clash must have been hot for the studios at that time. Well, wait three more years and it'll be all the rage again.Me! Gene!https://www.blogger.com/profile/03841888266076947771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12583125807956936382007-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:002007-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00We actually had a bunch of story ideas. Plus, the...We actually had a bunch of story ideas. Plus, the bastard son becomes a regular. <BR/><BR/>The key to the series is that snobs are never satisfied. No matter what they have there is always someone who has more. <BR/><BR/>So characters are always in a state of frustration, always wanting something and thus always ripe for comedy.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68139448224182194982007-06-15T09:53:00.000-07:002007-06-15T09:53:00.000-07:00Reminds me a lot of "Keeping up Appearances" as no...Reminds me a lot of "Keeping up Appearances" as noted above. Honestly, although I like the fish out of water idea, it doesn't work for me. They would all get pretty tiresome after a while. Funny that Frasier never did.Kerrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09784642369957250699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37727790721566716032007-06-15T09:37:00.000-07:002007-06-15T09:37:00.000-07:00"Children, I won’t have you fighting like this!". ..."Children, I won’t have you fighting like this!". <BR/><BR/>What a superb line!Barry in Portlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01563401367244981009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83185003304219289832007-06-15T09:31:00.000-07:002007-06-15T09:31:00.000-07:00I would love that show.I would love that show.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69921882119224286042007-06-15T09:30:00.000-07:002007-06-15T09:30:00.000-07:00Ken, was the choice of the neighborhood based on t...Ken, was the choice of the neighborhood based on the idea that this family was living in their own reality anyway? I.E., the people around them were perfectly average middle-class, but they were reacting to them as though they were barefoot trailer trash?<BR/><BR/>Seems like it would be a tough premise to sustain - how often would we actually be rooting <I>for</I> the protagonists? On the other hand, it's a twist on The Munsters - a bizarre family, living in their own world, ignorant of the social cues they throw off, with one "normal" member. (Which is what separates it from The Adams Family.)Erichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18351452512636422112noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74490334078729789322007-06-15T09:21:00.000-07:002007-06-15T09:21:00.000-07:00What a great study tool. It delivers four clearly ...What a great study tool. It delivers four clearly defined characters, their goal, a tease that makes us want to stick around (the party), the setting, the tone...and a whole lot of funny...all within a very short span of lines. Sheesh. That's an impressive acrobatic feat. Hand those boys a GatorAde.<BR/><BR/>And I can confirm the current desire for spec pilots. I have a number of perspective agents asking for just that. I wonder if it's just a way to weed out a lot of us wannabes, as it's a much higher bar to clear than 'specing' an established show that comes complete with characters, setting and tone. (...with the exception of TWO AND HALF YUCKS, which has nothing going for it.)<BR/><BR/>If you don't end up posting the rest...please, please, please bring it to The Sitcom Room.Todd Muellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04841213952526711599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50620881664365591322007-06-15T09:14:00.000-07:002007-06-15T09:14:00.000-07:00Alan,good catch with the typos. Come out to Holly...Alan,<BR/>good catch with the typos. Come out to Hollywood. Your writer's assistant job awaits!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87817247313448011562007-06-15T08:40:00.000-07:002007-06-15T08:40:00.000-07:00Only ONE mis-spelled word? That's got to be a new...Only ONE mis-spelled word? That's got to be a new record for me. Have made the correction. Thanks. <BR/><BR/>I agree that there is little to no chance that a spec pilot will be produced, but the new thinking is that producers want to see material that is more original and out-of-the-box. Who knows? If you become successful maybe in a few years you CAN sell that old spec pilot. <BR/><BR/>Why we selected San Mateo. We saw photos of different neighborhoods and streets around the bay area and the lower-middle-class-tract-houses-of-the-50's neighborhood that looked dead on to us was in San Mateo.<BR/><BR/>The idea of a family of snobs that lived way above their means seemed a fun different way to do a family show. If there's enough interest I'll post more of the script down the line.<BR/><BR/>Written but not proofed.<BR/><BR/>KenBy Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4072443763521681112007-06-15T08:14:00.000-07:002007-06-15T08:14:00.000-07:00You worked with Birdgirl! Kewl!You worked with Birdgirl! Kewl!Dwaconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07544514023626682777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29177167055595000202007-06-15T07:28:00.000-07:002007-06-15T07:28:00.000-07:00This is great! Congrats! It's a crime this isn't...This is great! Congrats! It's a crime this isn't on TV right now.Adam Szymkowiczhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10195622524268234675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62781577461161392572007-06-15T06:07:00.000-07:002007-06-15T06:07:00.000-07:00That show isn't picked up yet some of these: http:...That show isn't picked up yet some of these: http://www.cracked.com/index.php?name=News&sid=2064&pageid=1 have been. Hmmm.<BR/><BR/>(Disclaimer: I liked and watched a few of these shows)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37856353836091150052007-06-15T03:37:00.000-07:002007-06-15T03:37:00.000-07:00I noticed that your script contains a comment abou...I noticed that your script contains a comment about creationism. Any thoughts on $27 million dollar tribute to the Flintstones called the Creation Museum? Being from Kentucky, we're quite proud that our collective stupidity has something else to celebrate.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08923161793979910495noreply@blogger.com