tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post4807371596624647421..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Will there ever be another CHEERS or FRASIER?By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45707445667095600292011-07-01T12:09:12.801-07:002011-07-01T12:09:12.801-07:00Writing this, I'm in the process of watching W...Writing this, I'm in the process of watching White Sox@Cubs, which ESPN America delivers with the Comcast SportsNet audio, so it's Ken Harrelson with Steve Stone. I'm not a fan of any one of these two teams, more a (newbie) fan of the sport itself - and I have to say, this constant pro-Sox commentary is really getting annoying quickly. About every Cubs player striking out gets a happy-derisive "He-gone'!" comment. A Cubs player getting a hit in is "a thorn in our(!) side". Scores are always read out in a "Good Guys(!) vs. other team". And so on, and so forth. Massive, massive turnoff. I mean, I get it; there's a home media market to cater to. But this is an internationally broadcast game, I'm watching this in Europe for crying out loud. I just want to see some good sport, for heaven's sake.Markusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17066075585923755922011-07-01T10:35:53.771-07:002011-07-01T10:35:53.771-07:00Hi Ken,
Let me start off by quickly saying I'...Hi Ken,<br /><br />Let me start off by quickly saying I'm a long-time reader and watcher of your shows, and I have a huge amount of respect for your significant contributions to the pantheon of classic comedies over the years, particularly those from my personal heyday, those being WINGS, CHEERS, and FRAISER.<br /><br />I have a bit of feedback for you about what I perceived to be a subtle (and/or passive agressive) slam in this post. In your answer to the question about another sitcom as good as CHEERS, you write "Hurry! Cause I want to see one."<br /><br />Seems to be you're implying there are no great comedies on TV just now. Honestly, this isn't a criticsm of you, but I'm blown away by your implication considering in my view there are 2 GREAT and 1 more REALLY GOOD comedies on TV currently. Let me briefly just mention:<br /><br />PARKS AND RECREATION: Incredibly funny, superb cast, and a warm, human core make this far and away the best comedy on TV. I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on it.<br /><br />30 ROCK: Some say its a bit dated, but even still it packs an impressive amount of clever, character-driven bits and even at its age is the funniest thing on TV.<br /><br />And the really good one is still THE OFFICE. With its star and centerpiece leaving, the show managed to come together and produce its best season since season 3 this past year. It's reinvigorated and still humming along going into next year.<br /><br />So was I wrong about your suggested slam in this post? Do you agree these comedies are ones that we'll look back on years from now as new classics?Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464634122213282985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3025723025646888052011-06-28T03:23:11.814-07:002011-06-28T03:23:11.814-07:00Hi Ken,
I've got a Friday question about Cheer...Hi Ken,<br />I've got a Friday question about Cheers for you.<br />Why did the writers feel that Sam and Diane should not get married or back together permenatly in the last episode of Cheers, as personaly I think a lot of people (myself included) would have liked to have seen them together at last?Laurelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45312187705620272492011-06-26T20:39:27.810-07:002011-06-26T20:39:27.810-07:00I believe John Rooney left to come home to St. Lou...I believe John Rooney left to come home to St. Louis. He was a former KMOX sports guy, and it was an opportunity of a lifetime. Rooney and Farmer were very very good. USA Today anointed them the best duo in baseball around that time.bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8591668082272958942011-06-26T10:50:42.636-07:002011-06-26T10:50:42.636-07:00Say that you're an established writer on an es...Say that you're an established writer on an established series (into at least season 2 or 3)...is it more difficult to have to write for a new, unestablished regular character than it is to write for the established characters?<br /><br />I'm thinking of Cheers (because I saw a very old episode recently from the small period that included both Coach and Frasier on screen), which really had 4 new characters added after the show had been established.DyHrdMEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621011643939597497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29366075025978294172011-06-26T03:56:21.065-07:002011-06-26T03:56:21.065-07:00Kingvermin, it's unfortunate the Sox had to le...Kingvermin, it's unfortunate the Sox had to let John Rooney go -- a fine announcer, understated, easy to listen to -- but at least he went out on top in 2005 with the ultimate "White Sox winner," as the "curse of the Comiskeys" finally ended after 88 years (though there was no Chicago equivalent of Dan Shaughnessy to make a cottage industry out of it).VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61997116388461635202011-06-25T17:06:19.948-07:002011-06-25T17:06:19.948-07:00I'm curious from a showrunner/marketing/storyt...I'm curious from a showrunner/marketing/storytelling perspective if you had any thoughts or insights into the whole "The Killing" debacle??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3457118029601012602011-06-25T12:22:51.965-07:002011-06-25T12:22:51.965-07:00Ken,
I noticed a blub in one of your posts about ...Ken,<br /><br />I noticed a blub in one of your posts about a week back about TREE OF LIFE. Can you give us a review of it from your perspective? Not just as a comedy writer, but as a person who writes very well who has also produced and directed shows for film and television. Did it connect with you or do you feel it overreached?<br /><br />Cody EvjenCodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15244519478946026617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38607354067367051262011-06-25T10:33:04.908-07:002011-06-25T10:33:04.908-07:00So, I'm a White Sox fan and I gotta say...I...So, I'm a White Sox fan and I gotta say...I'm pretty tired of Hawk. I think it's because his former partner DJ switched spots with Steve Stone, who was chased out by the Cubs for, get this, being slightly critical of them during their two week bust at the end of the 2004 season. Maybe Stone just seemed REALLY knowledgeable about baseball compared to his partner Chip (grandson of Harry) Caray.<br /><br />Stone went to the Sox to work with Ed Farmer on the radio; they were great. Then after a year, Stone switched with DJ to work along with Hawk, and though some thing it's a great pairing for TV (perhaps they're just excited to see Stone ON TV again), it's almost embarrassing.<br /><br />I don't care about golf, I don't care about obscure players that Hawk played with on the Twins and Indians in the late 60's, I don't care to keep explaining to my poor wife driven insane by Hawk's ramblings what all the farm-boy metaphors for baseball are. Stone was practically drowned out the first year there, and has to fight to get to say anything on the air. Especially anything relevant.<br /><br />A lot of Cub fans worship the airwaves that Harry Caray lived on in the 80's and 90's, but Stone was the reason I tuned in every day. <br /><br />And I can't stand it when Hawk calls him "Stone Pony." Just stop already!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02277031794120012634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4283702300767069802011-06-25T06:20:10.041-07:002011-06-25T06:20:10.041-07:00Interesting. I was going to ask that same question...Interesting. I was going to ask that same question. Is the era of smart yet accessible comedy behind us? It's nice to hear you have faith in the future, I'd love to see another clever but widely-appealing show again.Macnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68197870497920847712011-06-25T03:12:48.782-07:002011-06-25T03:12:48.782-07:00Having spent nearly all my life listening to Ernie...Having spent nearly all my life listening to Ernie Harwell and Dave Niehaus, they had two things in common (which is interesting, because when Ernie died Dave expressly said on the air that Ernie was not one of his mentors): each understood the value of silence during dramatic moments in ballgames, and each could, with the tone of his voice alone and not his words, convey whether things were going well or poorly for the home team. Dave had an unbelievable instinct for when the wheels were coming off and if you listened to him long enough, you knew this pitcher was about give up back-to-back dingers without him ever saying it. Actually, they had a third thing in common: they let you know when the ballclub they were announcing for stunk. The Tigers of the mid-70s and the mid-90s and the Mariners of the 80s and 2004-2006, 2008 and 2010, neither suffered the fools for whom he had to announce gladly. And again, not by calling them out, just by describing what they saw.Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40229996361041019952011-06-24T20:21:39.398-07:002011-06-24T20:21:39.398-07:00Nancy B, I haven't heard a lot of Marty Brenna...Nancy B, I haven't heard a lot of Marty Brennaman, but what I've heard has been pro-Red, but also critical--in some ways, like a fan, as Harry Caray used to describe himself.<br /><br />Dana, I heard that sometimes Prince would ignore the "action" if there was no action, and just tell stories until something happened. I also read a great story: the Pirates GM, Joe Brown, ordered him not to say bad things on the air. One night, on the road in Atlanta with no local TV, Richie Hebner threw his bat into the stands, prompting a roar and booing. Brown, listening at home, wondered what was up. Prince was quiet, then said, "Fans, something bad has happened, but I'm not allowed to tell you what it is." Which may have contributed to Brown joining in his firing, which I think destroyed the Pirates franchise for a long time with the fans (no disrespect to his longest-tenured successor, Lanny Frattare).<br /><br />Joey H, Jack Buck played it down the middle on the network, but he was another who could be considered pro-Cardinal on their broadcasts, but also critical: he maintained his integrity, and that's the important thing.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58506841556377434002011-06-24T19:23:33.694-07:002011-06-24T19:23:33.694-07:00Yes, Harry Caray was a caricature by the end, but ...Yes, Harry Caray was a caricature by the end, but in his prime Caray was darn fine PBP man:<br /><br />http://youtu.be/z4mwn_YIwVA<br /><br />"They scatter like ten pins in a bowling alley"<br /><br />Caray's partner in this clip, Jack Buck, stayed with the Cardinals until his death in 2002. Buck was a down the middle announcer in the Scully sense, extremely versatile, and one of the finest gentlemen I've encountered in broadcasting.Joey Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11718595858513830730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78072026060945591302011-06-24T17:25:54.164-07:002011-06-24T17:25:54.164-07:00Ken:
Friday question for you. I recently purchas...Ken:<br /><br />Friday question for you. I recently purchased the entire 11 season DVD collection for Cheers and am enjoying reliving old memories. I always look for episodes that you and David have written. My question is how do royalties work for the writers on DVD's? With my purchase can you now afford that new BMW you have been looking at or do I need to get 10 of my closest friends to purchase the series so you can buy a Starbucks Latte?Singapore_Slinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13483042719978200602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23098842436800826422011-06-24T16:18:03.031-07:002011-06-24T16:18:03.031-07:00VP81955:
Dan Dickerson for the Tigers also does a...VP81955:<br /><br />Dan Dickerson for the Tigers also does all 9 innings. The color man (Jim Price) use to do the middle innings, but he was just so awful they pretty much had no choice. He keeps his job because the Tigers' owner adores anything related to the 1968 Tigers (of which Price was a backup catcher).<br /><br />I'm one of the few people here in Detroit who wish Rick Rizzs was never run out of town. I don't think I've heard a more warm, professional voice call a baseball game.Mike B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82300102828112607942011-06-24T14:25:45.801-07:002011-06-24T14:25:45.801-07:00Thanks from me also for answering my question, Ken...Thanks from me also for answering my question, Ken. I live in Portland now, but grew up listening to Lindsey Nelson and those original Mets announcers, so that's where my tastes were formed.Mike Schryverhttp://www.otrcomedy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2274542226033350142011-06-24T14:15:03.895-07:002011-06-24T14:15:03.895-07:00Thanks for taking the time to answer my question K...Thanks for taking the time to answer my question Ken, much appreciated.Mike from Belfastnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88645196504580415972011-06-24T12:55:01.048-07:002011-06-24T12:55:01.048-07:00Phil Rizzuto of the Yankees was also very partial,...<i>Phil Rizzuto of the Yankees was also very partial, as was Harry Caray of the Cubs and Cardinals, and Bob Prince of the Pirates. It’s a style and in some markets it’s what the fans want.</i><br /><br />So where Richie Ashburn and Harry Kalas, and that's just the way we loved them.Mary Stellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02186261066656584772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82502411141276065532011-06-24T12:26:03.147-07:002011-06-24T12:26:03.147-07:00You hit a nerve, Ken, when you talk about the appr...You hit a nerve, Ken, when you talk about the appropriate role for a baseball play-by-play (PBP) announcer. It has certainly changed throughout the years - and now that we can hear virtually all of them on our own radios and TVs, we have a greater ability to compare. <br /><br />This is only time I can recall, by the way, that a team fired a play-by-play guy in midseason - as the Texas Rangers made a quick change. <br /><br />Even if you don't work for the team directly, they certainly have approval and are listening closely. Steve Stone's departure from WGN may have just been another shameful act of the end of the Tribune Company - but emphasized that point. <br /><br />One last thought - anyone who spent anytime listening to Red Sox broadcasts will know that homerism spreads fall beyond "middle America"....Phillip Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498595633633248863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22121940262123379682011-06-24T11:36:14.776-07:002011-06-24T11:36:14.776-07:00I think Rizzuto is underrated. His reputation was ...I think Rizzuto is underrated. His reputation was MUCH worse than the reality of some of his wor. Remember, HE got trained by both Barber AND Mel Allen. When a game was serious, Scooter would be serious....but if it was September, and the Yanks were out of it, and the team they were playing was out of it, THATS when the cannoli and the George Washington Bridge and the birthdays would come rolling out.<br /><br />And yes, Sterling and Waldman and Harrelson are terrible. Kay is pretty pedantic, but at least he knows how to bring out the best of some of his better partners like Singleton or Al Leiter.LouOCNYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16151395857835632917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78444881872229770972011-06-24T11:33:32.359-07:002011-06-24T11:33:32.359-07:00I grew up near Pittsburgh listening to Bob Prince....I grew up near Pittsburgh listening to Bob Prince. He was a homer, but he didn't lie to you. If the Pirates played bad, he said so. Outfielder threw to the wrong base, The Gunner would say he threw to the wrong base. (Missed the cut-off man, whatever.) That's exactly the kind of announcer I want for my home team: entertaining, partial to my team, but honest. No one has ever trod that line better than the late Skip Caray. I spent my Army years in Atlanta, and listening to Skip 150 or so times a year was a constant pleasure, so much so I stuck with the Braves on TBS for years after I moved away.Dana Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01350344882342624735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42957357942578159492011-06-24T11:28:42.922-07:002011-06-24T11:28:42.922-07:00I was fortunate to live in the Philadelphia area f...I was fortunate to live in the Philadelphia area from 1986 to 1995 and got to appreciate just how good Harry Kalas was as an announcer. Loved his enthusiasm for the game, and his chemistry in the booth with Rich Ashburn was special and genuine. To me, Harry was right up there with Ernie Harwell and Vin Scully among the greats of play-by-play, and when he received the Ford Frick Award at Cooperstown in 2002, I and thousands of other Phillies phans made the trip. (I have since switched allegiance to the Nationals -- no fault of Harry's -- since I was a longtime D.C.-area resident without a team, and <i>real</i> Washingtonians don't root for Baltimore.)<br /><br />Comparing Rizzuto to Sterling is unfair to Phil; he was the slightly daffy uncle every family had. Sterling is Ted Baxter (that pompous insecurity must be the reason he's the <i>only</i> MLB radio play-by-play guy who does every inning), or perhaps Kenny Bania (he <i>is</i> a hack). George Steinbrenner made many terrible decisions running the Yankees (and, to be fair, just as many brilliant ones); hiring Sterling to the same post held by Mel Allen, Red Barber and Frank Messer (certainly not in the same class as the first two, but a solid announcer nevertheless) may have been his worst.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62604000407968289752011-06-24T11:28:06.019-07:002011-06-24T11:28:06.019-07:00You've written about Jon Miller & the O...You've written about Jon Miller & the O's before, but it's worth pointing out here that Jon was fired by Peter Angelos for not being homer enough - a ridiculous charge, as any O's fan will tell you.<br /><br />Miller loved the O's - and when the wheels starting coming off the franchise, he cared enough about the fans to call it as he saw it ... I also never heard him go pure negative about the franchise, on-air. It was all in the spirit of barroom baseball. <br /><br />Moreover, history has proven him right. He probably doesn't miss the train wreck that is Peter Angelos in Camden Yards ... but I miss him.Johannes Factotumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11068791539950690420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40848957609419830012011-06-24T11:02:23.430-07:002011-06-24T11:02:23.430-07:00I'm curious about this list, Ken:
http://spli...I'm curious about this list, Ken:<br /><br />http://splitsider.com/2011/06/the-greatest-tv-writers-rooms-ever/<br /><br />A number of classic shows didn't make the cut (MASH to name one) and I'm curious to find out what you think of such list? Long term comedy Tv shows seem to have been excluded and I wonder why you think that is?Please Don't Eat Menoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2977901757568386622011-06-24T10:39:58.033-07:002011-06-24T10:39:58.033-07:00Friday question - is it common for comedy writers ...Friday question - is it common for comedy writers to switch between writing for sitcoms and late night talk shows? Did you ever have any interest in writing for a late night talk show?Michaelnoreply@blogger.com