tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post3656492981516026392..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Kelsey Grammer and the Real Don SteeleBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30940634877127891162010-01-13T11:51:10.160-08:002010-01-13T11:51:10.160-08:00Luckily, it didn't end for the Real Don Steele...Luckily, it didn't end for the Real Don Steele at K100. He came back and sounded great at KTNQ and even better at KRLA and KRTH.<br /><br />In fact, I thought he sounded just as good at KRTH in the late 1990s as he did at KHJ in the late 1960s.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647911379690432984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48221673382631295192010-01-10T23:08:05.309-08:002010-01-10T23:08:05.309-08:00"Paul Duca said...
That should be something ...<i>"Paul Duca said... <br />That should be something to see on Broadway...Frasier in a dress"<br /><br />" Mike in SLO said... <br />I sure hope Kelsey can pull of "La Cage". George Hearn has big shoes to fill. I know Kelsey can do the role justice IF he can sing."</i><br /><br />You can <i><b>not</b></i> for one moment seriously believe Kelsey will be playing the drag role? <b><i>IObviously</i></b> he will be playing the Gene Barry role. For Heaven's sake!<br /><br />As for Kelsey singing and filling George Hearn's high heels, I saw Kelsey play Sondeim's <i>Sweeney Todd</i> onstage in Los Angeles 10 years ago, and he sang it just fine. He has a rich, warm bass-baritone voice more than up to the less-rigorous demands of the Jerry Herman score of <i>La Cage</i>. That said, his Sweeney did not work for me. When Sweeney was to have his insane rages, as in the act I "Epiphany," we just got the familair sound of Frasier peeved.<br /><br />As for the appropriateness of Kelsey being in <i>La Cage</i> at all, I find the very idea of a Broadway production of a play that champions gay rights, gay families, and gay marraige starring a man who will then give some of the money he earns doing it, some of it money that comes from the pockets of gay audience members, to Republican politicians (as Kelsey has been doing. We're talking a Bush supporter, folks) working to oppose and fight gay rights, to be <b>appalling and revolting!</b> Talk about hypocrasy! Friends like him, we do not need. Had I known Kelsey's politics, and worse, his political financial donations, a decade ago, I wouldn't have gone to see his Sweeney, and had dollars from my pocket go to help elect George Bush.<br /><br />I'm sorry, but I was glad to see the unwatchable <i>Hank</i> fail, and given both Kelsey and Heaton, glad to see the very watchable <i>Back to You</i> fail also. I am sorry that <i>The Middle</i> is apparently doing well. It should be called "<i>The Far Right</i>.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80170460100111223322010-01-10T21:07:47.116-08:002010-01-10T21:07:47.116-08:00To Scott on Long Island, Ken Levine has done a blo...To Scott on Long Island, Ken Levine has done a blog post about that sort of question before. I'm not one of the more knowledgable people here, nevertheless, the short answer is those credits tend to be BS, so don't take them too seriously. Read the credits as "these people worked on the show" and "here's a vague hint as to what their contribution was".selection7noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29475101680084366092010-01-10T16:22:18.447-08:002010-01-10T16:22:18.447-08:00there was a show called HANK?
Be grateful that yo...<i>there was a show called HANK?</i><br /><br />Be grateful that you saved yourself from certain deathly boredom.Rory L. Aronskyhttp://scrapsofliteracy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68388042358345415462010-01-10T07:35:56.851-08:002010-01-10T07:35:56.851-08:00there was a show called HANK?there was a show called HANK?SharoneRosenhttp://www.sharonerosen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77952220018553291542010-01-10T05:10:37.513-08:002010-01-10T05:10:37.513-08:00Just watched a 4th season episode called Der Tag a...Just watched a 4th season episode called Der Tag and spotted Radar clutching a 1960s Marvel comic. Can you recall any other any unintended anachronistic blunders on the show?DAVID BISHOPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17342376036664282348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20898326318348877232010-01-09T20:02:02.176-08:002010-01-09T20:02:02.176-08:00Hi Ken,
I just caught that episode of MASH where ...Hi Ken,<br /><br />I just caught that episode of MASH where Hawkeye and BJ order a bathtub and the whole camp wants to use it...a classic episode.<br /><br />While reading the credits, you and David are listed first as "Executive Script Consultants" and then later as the "Written By"...but then later a different guy was the "Story Consultant"...<br /><br />HUH? Whats the difference in these roles. <br /><br />Thanks, <br />Scott on Long IslandScott on Long Islandnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71512515390869816672010-01-08T20:43:02.632-08:002010-01-08T20:43:02.632-08:00Jackie:
You're welcome!
tqJackie:<br /><br />You're welcome!<br /><br />tqTom Quigleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959628996361620134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53275913410491854772010-01-08T18:38:01.496-08:002010-01-08T18:38:01.496-08:00Vermonter17032 said...
"Sadly, I would say th...Vermonter17032 said...<br />"Sadly, I would say that Kelsey Grammer is past the age where he can be the lead in a sitcom..."<br /><br />Really? How old was Caroll O'Connor when he was doing "All in the Family?" Redd Foxx in "Sanford and Son?" <br /><br />Sheesh.Katherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62877618453259743392010-01-08T18:25:34.855-08:002010-01-08T18:25:34.855-08:00I didn't forget the "s" in that last...I didn't forget the "s" in that last comment. It begged off, saying it needed to get to the clubhouse at the racetrack.Rory L. Aronskyhttp://scrapsofliteracy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58913106104891936992010-01-08T18:24:08.477-08:002010-01-08T18:24:08.477-08:00He needs to settle into a supporting role, like so...<i> He needs to settle into a supporting role, like someone's dad or boss or older brother.</i><br /><br /><i>...but with the exception of HANK, every performance or role I've ever see him do (even the CHRISTMAS CAROL musical) were always first rate and typically what I would expect from him.</i><br /><br />Exactly on both counts. He's terrific in supporting roles, in voice (as Vladimir in "Anastasia" and Stinky Pete in "Toy Story 2"), and even though "Swing Vote" was generally awful, he made an excellent president. He always successfully veers away from what made him famous, and he's compelling because of that. <br /><br /><i> I know Kelsey can do the role justice IF he can sing.</i><br /><br />He did very well in "Anatasia."<br /><br />WV: filligra - Since when do fillys need Viagra or whatever the female horse equivalent is?Rory L. Aronskyhttp://scrapsofliteracy.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19335668721244193272010-01-08T16:58:18.529-08:002010-01-08T16:58:18.529-08:00Dear Tom Quigley:
Thank you very much!
Sincerely...Dear Tom Quigley:<br /><br />Thank you very much!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Jackie Swanson aka "Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly"JackieSwansonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82376830089798309412010-01-08T14:28:39.093-08:002010-01-08T14:28:39.093-08:00Nicholas "Nick the Greek" Dandolos was a...Nicholas "Nick the Greek" Dandolos was a famous gambler in the first half of the last century, winning and losing literally millions of dollars. It's said that in his later years; broke, again; he was playing $5 limit draw poker in Gardena, CA when another player asked how he could play at such small stakes when he'd once played for so much. Dandolos replied, "Hey, it's action."Jeff Badgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09140675912066630821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26263169317898648722010-01-08T14:12:35.150-08:002010-01-08T14:12:35.150-08:00In my opinion, "Men of a Certain Age" co...In my opinion, "Men of a Certain Age" could be a much better show than it is. It seems very on the nose, with self-conscious camera movement, an old-fashioned network/bland feel, in spite of the curse words & its being on cable, forced chemistry among the supposed friends, and Ray's mouth-breathing smiles at moments that seem inappropriate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90397239211691789752010-01-08T14:08:09.574-08:002010-01-08T14:08:09.574-08:00I have a media-related question you might be able ...I have a media-related question you might be able to answer. When General Electric bought NBC back in the 1980s, it came under some criticism as GE was an major defense contractor that now owned a major arm of the media. They could supposedly use the network as a propaganda tool, pushing for hawkish policies in both its' news and entertainment divisions. <br /><br />Now, two decades later, they're shedding that media arm. Is it that the critics were just paranoid, or that profit comes before propaganda?Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23412237169991051632010-01-08T13:36:02.487-08:002010-01-08T13:36:02.487-08:00You have a great blog, Ken. It's so cool to le...You have a great blog, Ken. It's so cool to learn the behind-the-scenes stories of so many shows I grew up watching.<br /><br />My question regards the curious case of Don Nicholl, Michael Ross and Bernie West. Can you offer any insight on why/how they went from writing and producing the brilliant and ground-breaking All In The Family to running the relentlessly dumb Three's Company?<br /><br />I've been catching up on TV Land's rebroadcasts of All In The Family lately, and it's mind-boggling to me that the same guys who made that show were also responsible for Three's Company's non-stop "hilarious misunderstandings." (And don't even get me started on The Ropers.)<br /><br />Thanks.Christopher Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54361066720023776212010-01-08T12:52:20.674-08:002010-01-08T12:52:20.674-08:00Another thought...
NBC's in deep doodoo these...Another thought...<br /><br />NBC's in deep doodoo these days, similar to the early 80's. Has the business landscape changed so much that a Grant Tinker or a Brandon Tartikoff couldn't happen again?<br /><br />Wouldn't it be great if there were a resurgence of "quality TV" to come out of this NBC mess, so there could be room for a Kelsey Grammer.<br /><br />wv: gogol a Russian Literary search engine...bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91183776586344420382010-01-08T12:40:48.564-08:002010-01-08T12:40:48.564-08:00Sadly, I would say that Kelsey Grammer is past the...<i>Sadly, I would say that Kelsey Grammer is past the age where he can be the lead in a sitcom. He needs to settle into a supporting role, like someone's dad or boss or older brother.</i><br /><br />As people smarter than me have said, the sitcom was dead until the Cosby Show came along. All it takes is one good roll.bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62686856607927349962010-01-08T12:30:12.744-08:002010-01-08T12:30:12.744-08:00I see episodes of MASH where the characters show s...I see episodes of MASH where the characters show some talent, like Radar's impressions or Margaret singing. I was wondering if this is something that actors are always pushing for, a chance to show off their auxiliary talents, and do you have any cool stories about actors attempting to shoehorn talents that just don't fit the characters?Ian Taylorhttp://www.facebook.com/ian.taylornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36306635985224317762010-01-08T12:28:39.537-08:002010-01-08T12:28:39.537-08:00Kelsey Grammer, sing? The closing theme was one of...Kelsey Grammer, sing? The closing theme was one of the cognitive dissonances in the generally priceless Frasier, I fear. And I speak as one who didn't hate 'Down, Periscope'.blogwardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07362291687463326731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30407052158490151062010-01-08T12:12:43.564-08:002010-01-08T12:12:43.564-08:00David Hyde Pierce was brilliant in "Curtains&...David Hyde Pierce was brilliant in "Curtains", so I sure hope Kelsey can pull of "La Cage". George Hearn has big shoes to fill. I know Kelsey can do the role justice IF he can sing.Mike in SLOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56059871369787898572010-01-08T11:16:21.504-08:002010-01-08T11:16:21.504-08:00FITZ,
You might want to check out
http://www.tvp...FITZ,<br /><br />You might want to check out <br />http://www.tvparty.com/picture.htmlemilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80285541102354221832010-01-08T10:04:00.135-08:002010-01-08T10:04:00.135-08:00When I think about actors and their up and down ca...When I think about actors and their up and down careers, I remember Michael Caine in his memoir, considering the question of why he did so many bad movies. His response was along the lines of "checks for bad movies cash just as easily as checks for good movies."<br /><br />Besides, you never know what might hit. "Casablanca" was supposed to be another forgettable B-movie. I'll bet no one on that production would have believed that it would be a touchstone for great movies.<br /><br />(Or "Eating Raoul" or "Death Race 2000" or "Rock and Roll High School" ... all of which I've seen and loved.)Bill Peschelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257587479467531187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17518405545761073202010-01-08T08:22:44.310-08:002010-01-08T08:22:44.310-08:00Kelsey's done a number of very good things ove...Kelsey's done a number of very good things over the years and a number of questionable things (DOWN PERISCOPE, MR. ST NICK, and I still can't figure out his blue character in X-MEN, but then I've never seen the movie all the way through), but with the exception of HANK, every performance or role I've ever see him do (even the CHRISTMAS CAROL musical) were always first rate and typically what I would expect from him. <br /><br />BTW, Jackie Swanson (if you're still reading): Last night WGN Chicago aired the Kelly's birthday episode of CHEERS ("Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly") which I still love and get a kick out of every time I watch it. Great job you did!Tom Quigleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959628996361620134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-35288729770922455132010-01-08T08:17:48.005-08:002010-01-08T08:17:48.005-08:00Funny coincidence. As I'm reading this post ab...Funny coincidence. As I'm reading this post about the relationship between talent and questionable material, my iTunes is playing Paul Robeson singing "That's Why Darkies Were Born."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com