tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post4388446533573185724..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Open Letter to Current ShowrunnersBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39735783812670221312014-11-16T22:22:51.933-08:002014-11-16T22:22:51.933-08:00Brooklyn 99 and Blackish make me laugh consistentl...Brooklyn 99 and Blackish make me laugh consistently. Also Bob's Burgers but I'm guessing that doesn't count for this discussion.<br /><br />Ken - have you asked your kids what comedies they watch and enjoy? I can't imagine they'd say "none!"XJillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-35733522753285619312014-11-16T16:56:48.362-08:002014-11-16T16:56:48.362-08:00Has no one who reads this blog ever seen "Cor...Has no one who reads this blog ever seen "Corner Gas"? Sure, it's Canadian, but it's hilarious and, if you grew up in a rural area like me, very true-to-life. It comes at comedy from every angle: character, jokes, references, you name it. I watch it on DVD at least twice a week. I'm always disappointed that no one else seems to have watched it.Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87872675364822630372014-11-15T20:33:22.557-08:002014-11-15T20:33:22.557-08:00I think no one has brought up the "spectre of...I think no one has brought up the "spectre of political correctness" because it doesn't apply to what's happened.<br /><br />Humor changes over time. Stephen Colbert's show would have been cancelled in a few weeks ( if it ever aired ) 40 or 50 years ago. <br /><br />And in these "free-wheeling" non-PC days, you might have had more jokes at the expense of women, gays, or minorities, but those groups had little to no voice and fewer entertainment options. But you also wouldn't have seen jokes at the expense of religion or patriotism, for instance. There were always standards -- it's just that the audience is more inclusive,<br /><br />Look at MODERN FAMILY -- there's a lot of ethnic, gay, and gender humor, but I think the difference -- to quote a schoolyard saying -- is that we're laughing *with* these groups rather than at them.Stephen Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03670422634319094941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18142342135219535542014-11-14T09:52:44.136-08:002014-11-14T09:52:44.136-08:00I have no comment other than...
THANK YOU, BILL P...I have no comment other than...<br /><br />THANK YOU, BILL PERSKY!! Your writing has entertained me for many years.Brian Phillipshttp://rockinradio.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13488968460061019722014-11-14T08:12:57.881-08:002014-11-14T08:12:57.881-08:00The problem is, even when an old-fashioned, joke-o...The problem is, even when an old-fashioned, joke-oriented sitcom does make it on-air, nobody watches (see SEAN SAVES THE WORLD or BAD JUDGE, to take two recent examples).<br /><br />No one has yet brought up the spectre of political correctness either. We've become a nation of professional victims, looking to be offended. When you can't make jokes about anything else, all you have left is "penis," "vagina" and assorted bodily excretions. We brought that on ourselves.<br /><br />I'm currently editing the latest batch of "Biffle & Shoosters," which are traditional, 1930s-comedy-team shorts. We'll see if slapstick and hoary one-liners can still find a receptive audience in 2015.<br /><br />cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19459347805137240852014-11-14T07:46:26.047-08:002014-11-14T07:46:26.047-08:00These comments are why this post is a must read ea...These comments are why this post is a must read each and everyday. From Ken's posts and down to the development of thoughts and responses of the interactive "audience"...is why this Blog is better than any other. <br />The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62558690764757417282014-11-13T03:53:27.640-08:002014-11-13T03:53:27.640-08:00This may sound like hair-splitting, Ken, but I'...This may sound like hair-splitting, Ken, but I'm really curious how you're defining a joke. For example, in the restaurant scene in <i>When Harry Met Sally,</i> is the joke Sally's fake orgasm? Is the joke Harry's look of embarrassment and confusion? Is it the moment when the old lady says, "I'll have what she's having"?<br /><br />Or when Ralph Kramden fails to win on <i>The 99,000 Answer,</i> is the joke the moment when "Swanee River" starts playing? Is it Ralph's sudden panic? Is it the moment when he says, "<i>That's</i> 'Swanee River'?" Do they all count as jokes? Because all of those moments are very funny.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15616847561066820280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68223026116349478582014-11-12T22:21:20.402-08:002014-11-12T22:21:20.402-08:00I watched an episode of TAXI last night,Fantasy Bo...I watched an episode of TAXI last night,Fantasy Borough: Part 1, and all I could think was: Andy Kaufman -dead; Jeff Conaway -dead; Tony Danza -living; it was so depressing.Albert Giesbrechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17742338183833125104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1030814077530995872014-11-12T19:19:51.351-08:002014-11-12T19:19:51.351-08:00Who saw tonight's Modern Family--"Queer E...Who saw tonight's Modern Family--"Queer Eyes, Full Hearts"? It was a master class of jokes, jokes based in character and heart. I was moved when Jay rehired the Spanish tutor for himself. Largo161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80620636152551094952014-11-12T16:20:59.369-08:002014-11-12T16:20:59.369-08:00FTR Julie: Richard Jeni only worked blue once, in ...FTR Julie: Richard Jeni only worked blue once, in a coporate gig in Hawaii, booted off the board. I like most of his stuff better clean.Baylinknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59888682420056859122014-11-12T10:42:59.635-08:002014-11-12T10:42:59.635-08:00Ask any stand-up comic: tell a joke clean and tell...Ask any stand-up comic: tell a joke clean and tell it laced with profanity. Audiences will almost always react more strongly to the vulgarity-laced version.Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64933431903955029622014-11-12T10:06:28.401-08:002014-11-12T10:06:28.401-08:00Oh, and Canda, in case you hadn't noticed it y...Oh, and Canda, in case you hadn't noticed it yet: every week, the countdown is shorter: it's timed to the airtime of what would have been Ep 22 (after "LMNOP is for Childhood", which cuts the target down from 26 :-)Baylinknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40560860588661499712014-11-12T10:04:46.624-08:002014-11-12T10:04:46.624-08:00Thanks, Canda; it's nice to know I'm not j...Thanks, Canda; it's nice to know I'm not just liking that show with my hormones. :-)<br /><br />Michael: I hope they write it in:<br /><br />A) because she deserves a credit, finally, and on the show where they deal with it, and<br /><br />B) because it will be interested to see what they do with Stuart's reaction, and Howard's reaction to Stuart's reaction, and Bernie's reaction to Howard's reaction to Stewart's reaction.Baylinknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71842886236424155012014-11-12T09:45:48.622-08:002014-11-12T09:45:48.622-08:00Vulgarity is not taboo anymore and even intelligen...Vulgarity is not taboo anymore and even intelligent comics like Jon Stewart use it often.<br /><br />This week Amy Schumer made news when she got Comedy Central to stop bleeping out "pussy" when they don't bleep "dick."<br /><br />I listened to some old roasts from the 1960s. If they are dirty roasts, even Art Linkletter is funny. If they are clean roasts, only Milton Berle is funny.<br /><br />So vulgarity should add to hilarity.<br /><br />But I think what's missing in comedies today is all the characters are so warped, there is no one to root for.<br /><br />You don't get to funny if you don't care.<br /><br />Comedy characters are always somewhat unworthy of success. <br />But now they're totally unworthy.<br /><br />The type of comedy that works best with unworthy characters is farce. <br /><br />But farce is hardest to construct and also something not for every week.<br /><br /><br /><br />Waynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25538992096169142642014-11-12T08:58:27.609-08:002014-11-12T08:58:27.609-08:00Maybe part of the problem is that We The People ha...Maybe part of the problem is that We The People have forgotten how to laugh over the past decade or three because we've been required to grow up thinking there's so much we *shouldn't* be laughing at, even if it's the funniest sitcom ever created. And if you do, the blowback is rather severe.<br /><br />'All In The Family' is the best example. *Still* funny as fuck 40 years later (at least the episodes before Mike & Gloria moved out), but you couldn't make that show today.<br /><br />Point is, there's so much that has come to be verboten that the well doesn't seem to be all that deep when it comes to writing for network TV comedy. ScottyBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70032641331412747992014-11-12T07:31:42.527-08:002014-11-12T07:31:42.527-08:00So sorry to hear about Carol Ann Susi. I believe ...So sorry to hear about Carol Ann Susi. I believe she played Rhea Perlman's sister on "Cheers."CarolMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06357698369178272616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23314750299072455522014-11-12T06:26:12.816-08:002014-11-12T06:26:12.816-08:00Part of the issue is that "studies" and ...Part of the issue is that "studies" and "data" are still being followed because it's easy to hide behind (so you don't get blamed) and it's easy to manipulate.<br /><br />Since demographics became so important to advertising and entertainment, a belief persists that the audience must be the same or similar to the characters on the show. It's the same in books. Kids want to see kids; young adults want to see adults, etc.<br /><br />After the research department began to overshadow the creatives on "Sesame Street," it was decided that children want to see younger people on TV, not old ones. Most of the original cast of “Sesame Street” is still around and very active in other areas. They'd love to be on "the street" more than occasionally.<br /><br />This is crazy. What about grandparents? I look forward to seeing the ENTIRE cast of Sesame Street (both new and classic) on the Macy's parade every year.<br /><br />I was not an adult like Rob and Laura Petrie, Ralph and Norton, Lucy and Ricky. Even Gilligan's Island did not cast kids though they would now. Yes, on some sitcoms the adults act like kids, but so do adults in real life.<br /><br />The point is that, while it's nice to be able to identify with the people on a series, it does not follow that they must all resemble me exactly for me to enjoy it. It just has to be funny and relatable on a human level. <br /><br />The "old people cable ghettos" that show classic TV is surely attracting kids and teens who either have good taste or have adults that want them to see great entertainment. Maybe they'll come up with the next quality sitcoms.Greg Ehrbarhttp://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/category/animation-spin/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81402953692114872762014-11-12T05:48:48.735-08:002014-11-12T05:48:48.735-08:00There needs to be consideration for the changes in...There needs to be consideration for the changes in how and what people are consuming from where. Comedy is the second biggest genre behind how to videos on YouTube. That's a massive audience. TV is in a sort of golden age with quality character-driven but very well made shows moving to TV. Look at the rise of these two trends compared to the fall of the sitcoms. I think audiences have moved and aren't interested in investing a full 30 minutes these days in sort of funny shows. They'll catch them on the backend on Hulu and Netflix and decide if it's worth moving into their full slate of programming. There are just stronger characters and faster punchlines today.jeremyhughes77https://www.blogger.com/profile/12142448063109397665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22769555314256488982014-11-12T05:35:23.942-08:002014-11-12T05:35:23.942-08:00I think that many of the new shows don't reall...I think that many of the new shows don't really develop characters very well. I don't know if that's a creative issue, or something that the current business climate at the networks is pushing writers and producers into doing. <br /><br />A friend of mine wrote for a network show and his notes were constantly along the lines of, "you're being too specific here, generalize the character, make him/her an Everyman/woman, etc." The writers and producers want funny, messy, relatable and real. The network wants marketable. Crash, boom, bang. <br /><br />Comedy writing is about jokes, sure. But I also think of the Eunice/Mama sketches on The Carol Burnett Show (yes, I am showing my age). I remember laughing until I was sore at many of those episodes, and it was only years later that I understood there were no jokes/punch lines. It all emerged from character. <br /><br />I feel the same way when I watch M*A*S*H, or Cheers, or Frasier, because the characters are so well defined.<br />There were great punch lines, but it resonated more because of the character(s), not in spite of them. <br />Patricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68519373162939803832014-11-12T05:12:12.670-08:002014-11-12T05:12:12.670-08:00I maintain that GOOD jokes result in laughs. And c...<i>I maintain that GOOD jokes result in laughs. And comedies need to be funny – certainly funnier.</i><br /><br />Absolutely. I watched a Cheers rerun the other week and was laughing all the way through. Carla's one liners in particular are always a pleasure. This one cracked me up the most:<br /><br /><b>Cliff: Sometimes I'm ashamed god made me a man.</b><br /><br /><b>Carla: I don't think god's doing a whole lot of bragging about it either.</b>Hamidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37722155509629757902014-11-12T04:42:40.770-08:002014-11-12T04:42:40.770-08:00Watching that Bill Persky interview. Thanks, Hiken...Watching that Bill Persky interview. Thanks, HikenFan!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-250016271798270332014-11-12T04:40:15.706-08:002014-11-12T04:40:15.706-08:00I guess everyone is trying to reinvent the genre, ...I guess everyone is trying to reinvent the genre, and move away from the things we've seen a million times before... but they haven't figured out something good to replace it with.<br /><br />The move away from "jokes" sounds like an attempt at bringing humour out of the characters and situations, which sounds perfect, but I'm guessing they're just failing at it.<br /><br />Bill Persky's take that these shows are being made by people copying something they grew up watching, instead of from their own life experiences, is interesting, too. Undoubtedly that has to be true.Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2772903996815892042014-11-12T04:17:28.693-08:002014-11-12T04:17:28.693-08:00Veteran's Day-related Friday question: Do you ...Veteran's Day-related Friday question: Do you know from your MASH research what the rules were in terms of drafting doctors into the Army during the Korean War - was there an older age limit than regular soldiers? I always wondered whether someone like Major Winchester would realy have been forced to serve. Also I assume the nurses were all volunteers - did you ever consider doing a story on what motivated one of them to volunteer in a MASH unit.Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89010804397386581602014-11-12T04:09:48.164-08:002014-11-12T04:09:48.164-08:00Friday question: Carol Ann Susi, the off-screen vo...Friday question: Carol Ann Susi, the off-screen voice of Howard's mother on BIG BANG THEORY, has sadly passed away. If you were the showrunner, how would you handle this: Re-cast the part, write the character off without mentioning her again, or do a story arc involving Howard dealing with his mother's death?Michaelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58051775140479628022014-11-11T21:44:56.283-08:002014-11-11T21:44:56.283-08:00SNL isn't funny. Simpsons used to be funny, b...SNL isn't funny. Simpsons used to be funny, but now it is just horrible. There I attribute it to their loss of a few minutes to ads, denying them a second plotline. <br /><br />Also, I think comedy took a downturn when the Iraq war just made the left go crazy. SNL couldn't even come up with a bit on Baghdad Bob?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com