tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post3034045806706588038..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Friday QuestionsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40605730044690343262013-05-09T16:28:21.064-07:002013-05-09T16:28:21.064-07:00This is a round-about way of asking a question of ...This is a round-about way of asking a question of Charlie Van Dyke. I used to work at an Indianapolis TV station where we had a Charlie "sweeps" cut of about :60 that was drop dead funny, a satire sendup of TV station promos -- Charlie, please, how can we internet that cut? (Thanks Ken!) Also, can't find it anywhere, hence, this. Mike Lopeznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9240025996450530432013-05-09T01:41:28.468-07:002013-05-09T01:41:28.468-07:00Friday Question
What do you think about stage dir...Friday Question<br /><br />What do you think about stage directions in a script? From what I've read, you and David Isaacs often write quite sparsely but then you'll have a terrific line that the audience will never see. <br /><br />I'm thinking most particularly of Frasier: Room Service where, having revealed Niles and Lilith in bed, your script says: "And if that's not an act break, we don't know what is."<br /><br />William<br />William Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13315381474957511300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81923615486022525982013-05-08T08:37:29.096-07:002013-05-08T08:37:29.096-07:00Ted Danson wore a lot of Nike stuff early on, but ...Ted Danson wore a lot of Nike stuff early on, but from about 1986 onward he wore a lot of hip designer stuff. Guess was probably the most prominent, with Dockers being a close second, and later seasons featured Sam in Dual Control and Pelle Pelle jackets. Even Woody and Cliff were seen in Guess shirts on occasion.<br /><br />So I suppose this could become a Friday question Ken -- did CHEERS have endorsement deals with any of these clothing companies/designers, or did the costume supervisor just like putting the actors in prominently-labeled designer stuff? (As an aside, whatever it was, it worked, as I became aware of and started wearing those brands because of the show.)rogernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30070010496061898242013-05-06T11:41:21.413-07:002013-05-06T11:41:21.413-07:00Speaking of MASH, what you think of the topics of ...Speaking of MASH, what you think of the topics of the later shows, especially Hawkeye having mentall problems. Personally, I didn't care for those kinds of episodes.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00760229533287495672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60441470751261074432013-05-04T21:12:07.780-07:002013-05-04T21:12:07.780-07:00I admit to not paying all that much attention duri...I admit to not paying all that much attention during opening credits. It depends on the show as to whether I'll scan forward. If the show regularly goes directly to commercial at the end of the credits I'm much more likely to scan past the credits. William C Bonnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18419958146523957415noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32660949865448830172013-05-04T19:51:03.531-07:002013-05-04T19:51:03.531-07:00I'll always have a soft spot for the theme to ...I'll always have a soft spot for the theme to "Wings". Always found it to generate a very peaceful feeling. Who would have thought that Schubert and airplanes would mesh so well?Ron Clarknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25514033612413923822013-05-04T13:30:31.833-07:002013-05-04T13:30:31.833-07:00Damn you, auto correct: Menus = moments. Damn you, auto correct: Menus = moments. Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55464785190591359922013-05-04T13:29:17.785-07:002013-05-04T13:29:17.785-07:00Worst opening credits ever? Battlestar Galactica (...Worst opening credits ever? Battlestar Galactica (the rebooted series). Every episode opened with key menus from the episode you were about to see! I've never met a fan who didn't fast forward past them or (more often) just close their eyes during the opening. <br /><br />Got to say that when I recently watched every episode of Cheers (season 11 for my money, John), I skipped through the opening credits. I love the opening, but after a few episodes it began to grate, and I didn't want to ruin it for myself. If I'm watching a solitary episode of something, or something for the first time, then I never skip. (What's the point? It's 20 seconds, if that.)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39384206065598198742013-05-04T12:32:14.656-07:002013-05-04T12:32:14.656-07:00The main titles and credits are like an overture t...The main titles and credits are like an overture to a musical (something that's also vanishing, alas). I couldn't imagine the show without them.<br /><br />Folks have mentioned CHEERS and TAXI, both of which had great "love themes" for the end titles. The slower version of the theme represented the bittersweet sensation of saying goodbye to your friends until next week.<br /><br />I concede that for many people, the main titles were when you made on last dash to the bathroom or for snacks. In a post-DVR world, you can just pause if you need to take a break.Stephen Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03670422634319094941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89449125028891194092013-05-04T11:30:15.344-07:002013-05-04T11:30:15.344-07:00additionally, opening credits during the show push...additionally, opening credits during the show push closed captions up into characters' faces. also, the Rating box lands on their faces. TV news loves to air unimportant lower thirds over their footage of things like tornadoes, so you can't see the item in question. I love lower thirds but these ones aren't even answering my questions (who is that talking and where is he or what does he have to do with it? "Coverage of Boston Bombing" I already know. And even if I didn't, you could put it up intermittently.)Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43689867380448830602013-05-04T11:22:52.775-07:002013-05-04T11:22:52.775-07:00about the BBC thing. I've been watching a coup...about the BBC thing. I've been watching a couple shows from the 80s and they show upcoming scenes before the ep starts. Also annoying!<br /><br />Opening Credits - St. Elsewhere has an Opening, music and all, but still ran credits over the opening- didn't they? I remember trying to match names with characters... Granted, they had a big cast.Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54766789446384864022013-05-04T09:51:54.425-07:002013-05-04T09:51:54.425-07:00Ken, it seems that TV writing used to be more of a...Ken, it seems that TV writing used to be more of a freelancer business, with less writers on staff and more freelance scripts handed out. If this is true, which do you think was the better system, both for the writers and for the shows?Steve B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51054509731106160742013-05-04T04:56:09.289-07:002013-05-04T04:56:09.289-07:00I'd have put money on Walla Walla being somewh...I'd have put money on Walla Walla being somewhere in the Australian outback, but there you go. <br /><br />I never liked the Cheers opening sequence until, after a few shows, some Pavlovian response kicked in and it became synonymous with the reward of all those laughs. "Taxi" on the other hand, I loved from the off - those terrific shots of New York set it up perfectly, and that great saxophone... Macnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12067480701544806312013-05-04T02:49:18.710-07:002013-05-04T02:49:18.710-07:00Jen, those pop-up ads in the programs are extremel...Jen, those pop-up ads in the programs are extremely annoying, aren't they. Here in the UK, Sky has taken to trailering programs IN THE AD BREAK FOR THE PROGRAM THEY'RE TRAILERING! (sorry about the shouting). "Castle at 9!" shown in the ad break at 9:15 in...Castle.Looseheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66302603524710009252013-05-04T01:31:39.305-07:002013-05-04T01:31:39.305-07:00Since you mentioned the Sweets, here's a baseb...Since you mentioned the Sweets, here's a baseball FQ. Do you think more baseball announcers will be referring to those new actuarial-like statistics the SABR-metrics geeks love, like WAR (Wins Above Replacement), OPS (On-Base Percentage Plus Slugging Percentage), Defensive Runs Saved, etc.? Or will they be sticking to the familiar ERA, RBIs, home runs, batting average, etc? Would you ever use those?Liggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24332421421798125012013-05-03T23:19:39.997-07:002013-05-03T23:19:39.997-07:00I remember my mom telling me that, growing up, she...I remember my mom telling me that, growing up, she'd watch Hogan's Heroes just to get that opening theme song. She hated the actual show, but loved the theme song. <br /><br />And speaking of lengthy credits, more than once have I had to back up and watch the first few minutes of a show again because I've been too focused on the guest cast and/or the writers to pay attention to the action. One of the many ways DVR is my friend.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25608278135832877092013-05-03T22:18:53.090-07:002013-05-03T22:18:53.090-07:00You got credits. You got popup promos. You got clo...You got credits. You got popup promos. You got closed captions. I think Jerry Seinfeld said it best. If I want to read, I'll open a book.Waynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89945264030617884382013-05-03T21:54:01.425-07:002013-05-03T21:54:01.425-07:00I'll add some more praise for the Game Of Thro...I'll add some more praise for the Game Of Thrones credits. Not only are they visually cool, they also tie into the story --- you learn which storylines and actors are going to be on the show that week by looking to see which names pop up in the credits and which locations are/aren't featured on the map. For instance, if the Wall doesn't appear one week, then you know that episode won't be checking in on Jon Snow and Sam Tarly. If the map doesn't take us across the sea, then you know Daenerys and company have the week off.Question Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00267485396018087075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76507397723868620032013-05-03T16:25:58.872-07:002013-05-03T16:25:58.872-07:00You can't convince me that ANYONE would skip t...You can't convince me that ANYONE would skip the opening credits & theme of Hawaii 5-0! That's a must watch, every. single. time.Donavan S. Moyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464915198398515658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23408979691942448272013-05-03T16:03:30.437-07:002013-05-03T16:03:30.437-07:00Lately I've been rewatching my Mary Tyler Moor...Lately I've been rewatching my Mary Tyler Moore Show DVDs. If I've watched a bunch of episodes, I'll often skip past the opening credits simply because it's too repetetive; but if it's been awhile or if I'm in the mood, I'll watch it and just immerse myself in it. I love the music, love the visuals, the whole thing. I like it for nostalgia (I grew up with it) but I still enjoy it fresh as an adult.<br /><br />The show wouldn't be less funny without it, but the titles add something to it. A bit like keeping fine jewelry in a black velvet box.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753360146107174303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83273918204691044222013-05-03T16:02:22.446-07:002013-05-03T16:02:22.446-07:00I hope you gave a shout out to Tom Tuttle during y...I hope you gave a shout out to Tom Tuttle during your sojourn to Walla WallaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06918207292115144374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59218048529566532332013-05-03T15:41:17.552-07:002013-05-03T15:41:17.552-07:00I don't fast forward through opening themes/cr...I don't fast forward through opening themes/credits when I'm just watching one episode of the show.<br /><br />But when I binge watch something, as is increasingly for me common these days I will. As an example, I recently watch the 12 episodes of the Americans over three days but I think I only saw the opening theme, which is very nicely done, once or twice.<br /><br />I also never watch the opening credits for Game of Thrones because, despite the fact that they are brilliant, they are also 23 hours long.Alexnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39446090000649394382013-05-03T15:28:17.533-07:002013-05-03T15:28:17.533-07:00It's a beautiful day for a ball game, for a ba...It's a beautiful day for a ball game, for a ball game, today....from Walla Walla Washington to Kalamazoo...I don't remember much of that song, except those 2 phrases. <br />Ikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62227372881144572412013-05-03T15:07:16.666-07:002013-05-03T15:07:16.666-07:00Worked on a show where would write about 20 second...Worked on a show where would write about 20 seconds of business so that credits and such could be run and not be over the show. Our director never understood that so he would direct the business in a way that would make it integral to the show and not just business. This required us to start writing an additional 10 seconds of business in front of our business. Needless to say the show didn't last long.GeeRabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16174671817754361413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45060851941675861872013-05-03T13:16:03.709-07:002013-05-03T13:16:03.709-07:00I'll sometimes fast forward or skip opening cr...I'll sometimes fast forward or skip opening credits, but usually if I'm watching shows on DVD and I'm very familiar with the theme. I think they're longer because isn't every member of the writing staff listed as a producer?<br /><br />That Miami Vice opening? The thing that strikes me is that it now seems slowly paced. Most of those clips would be half as long today. Thanks, television, for making me ADD.Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.com