tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6030509834548622096..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: More hilarious unsold pilotsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87040123272258742682017-12-02T06:39:39.745-08:002017-12-02T06:39:39.745-08:00that Ugily Family pilot was awful. that Ugily Family pilot was awful. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54827646729008781472012-12-13T20:55:45.209-08:002012-12-13T20:55:45.209-08:00Has "America 2100" been discussed on thi...Has "America 2100" been discussed on this blog? It was about two failed comedians who are somehow accidentally frozen in 1979 and revived 121 years later. Karen Valentine played the woman who revived them.<br /><br />I don't remember much about it, except that the capital of the US in 2100 was supposed to be Newark, New Jersey...Rachel Newsteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03487248742843223535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37938437155999587072011-08-11T23:27:41.714-07:002011-08-11T23:27:41.714-07:00wow, that cover is great nice. thankswow, that cover is great nice. thanksceramic tilehttp://www.rsceramictile.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49410739570771831712011-08-11T16:15:31.773-07:002011-08-11T16:15:31.773-07:00William will always be the narrator of The Rocky a...William will always be the narrator of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show to me.Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47513804512973762492011-08-11T15:26:58.157-07:002011-08-11T15:26:58.157-07:00I'm aghast that you'd choose to reference ...<i>I'm aghast that you'd choose to reference Jake & the Fatman for William Conrad and not his other main show, Cannon.</i><br /><br />William will always be Marshal Dillon to me (OK, so it was radio).VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71059857155820180042011-08-10T22:39:41.128-07:002011-08-10T22:39:41.128-07:00"13 THIRTEENTH AVENUE CBS-1983 – Similar t...<i>"13 THIRTEENTH AVENUE CBS-1983 – Similar to one of yesterday’s entries, this one features a widower and his son who move into a Greenwich Village apartment building inhabited by a model who’s a witch, a C.P.A. who’s a werewolf, a lawyer who’s a vampire, a superintendent who’s a troll, and their psychiatrist."</i> <br /><br />Sounds like an internet comment thread, or the wait staff at <i>The Ivy</i>.Dr. Leo Marvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669626692363827776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13615537246807353812011-08-10T21:53:14.353-07:002011-08-10T21:53:14.353-07:00...Fred Gwynne creates a formula that accidentally...<i>...Fred Gwynne creates a formula that accidentally turns his nagging mother-in-law (Rita Shaw) into a glass statue. Why don't they make shows like that anymore?</i><br />Or formulas?tenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6100372834844467032011-08-10T15:22:33.509-07:002011-08-10T15:22:33.509-07:00What are you doing here in Dallas? If you're ...What are you doing here in Dallas? If you're broadcasting a Rangers game, you're about three exits down the highway from my house. Let me know if you'd like me to treat you to some great Mexican food in an air conditioned restaurant.<br /><br />As for my favorite unsold pilot, it's still the one I'll always remember watching as a kid: wacky inventor Fred Gwynne creates a formula that accidentally turns his nagging mother-in-law (Rita Shaw) into a glass statue. Why don't they make shows like that anymore?Pat Reedernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33721778226217037102011-08-10T10:58:04.334-07:002011-08-10T10:58:04.334-07:00cadavra:
As memory serves, Khigh Dhiegh never mad...cadavra:<br /><br />As memory serves, Khigh Dhiegh never made more than one appearance in any given HAWAII FIVE-O season as Wo Fat, so "pulling" him from the show wouldn't have been an issue, even for an ABC pilot.<br /><br />As it is, CBS actually gave Dhiegh his own series, the short-lived KHAN!, only a couple years after JUDGE DEE didn't sell.<br /><br /><br />By the way, did you know that Khigh Dhiegh's real name was Kenneth Dickerson? He was born in New Jersey of Anglo-Egyptian-Sudanese descent.<br />(The above is one of my favorite bits of unlikely TV trivia; thanks for giving me another excuse to trot it out.)Mike Dorannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16975303248971643892011-08-10T08:18:27.005-07:002011-08-10T08:18:27.005-07:00Hey J.D.,
Wow. Not often I get a former congress...Hey J.D.,<br /><br />Wow. Not often I get a former congressman checking in. Thanks for the nice note. Too bad you didn't beat McCain.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76578445731906580712011-08-10T07:02:30.328-07:002011-08-10T07:02:30.328-07:00W*A*L*T*E*R:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2009/0...W*A*L*T*E*R:<br /><br />http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2009/06/walter.htmlRobnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66906999550777532752011-08-10T05:05:07.018-07:002011-08-10T05:05:07.018-07:00Ken:
You and I may not agree politically, but I e...Ken:<br /><br />You and I may not agree politically, but I enjoy this blog and marvel at the connections among Baseball, Entertainment, and Elective Office.<br /><br />A case in point: the late, great Sonny Bono...and the inevitable "I got you, Babe" joke about his unsold Pilot.<br /><br />When Sonny and I were first elected to Congress, my grandfather, Ray Hayworth, paid a visit to D.C. As a catcher who was called up to the Tigers when Ty Cobb was the Playing Manager, "Papa" would regale us with tales of the "Game's Greats," and he would back it up with photographic evidence!<br /><br />My Dad insisted that Papa bring some copies of a really great picture with him to the Capitol. It was a game photo in which my Grandfather was tagging out Babe Ruth at home plate.<br /><br />When he met Sonny, Papa couldn't resist... he wrote: "To Sonny Bono...from someone who can truly say, 'I Got You, Babe!'"<br /><br />Before the "Reader's Digest Anecdote" writing style completely overtakes this "comment," let me transition to the "fan mode" and make a request: you've written about your "Top 40" days at KTNQ as "Beaver Cleaver..." but would you please do so again?<br /><br />I can recall hearing one of your airchecks...and I really enjoyed the break in which you introduced a record from an unknown R & B artist as a tune from "Soul Brother Number 3,041..." or something like that!<br /><br />Almost two decades have passed since the Cactus League Spring Training games where I would be doing radio play-by-play for the Cubs (on their "non-WGN" days, a small A.M. station from Coolidge, AZ had the rights) and you were working with the Padres. I know you're enjoying your time behind the mic for the M's...and I'm happy to read about your adventures past and present on this blog!J.D. Hayworthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16144698246339402422011-08-10T04:38:51.507-07:002011-08-10T04:38:51.507-07:00Ken, you're welcome. You're an awesome pl...Ken, you're welcome. You're an awesome play by play announcer. Any chance you will be the main voice of the Mariners?HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17608333593406155904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52529202908629657152011-08-10T03:50:26.661-07:002011-08-10T03:50:26.661-07:00TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER - Sounds funny with the r...TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER - Sounds funny with the right group of writers. Hint. Hint. Otherwise, stick in on the SciFi channel.<br /><br />13 THIRTEENTH AVENUE - How is this show not Buffy the Vampire Slayer set in a apartment building instead of a school? I ask the question as someone who really enjoyed Buffy.bevonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49028717793164492942011-08-10T02:51:25.481-07:002011-08-10T02:51:25.481-07:00R.E. Poochinski featured Peter Boyle (most known a...R.E. Poochinski featured Peter Boyle (most known as the dad in Everybody Loves Raymond) the entire pilot made its way onto youtube sometime last year.<br /><br />R.E. Justin Case, directed by the late great Blake Edwards (director of Breakfast at Tiffany) actually made its way onto TV here in Australia at least. And was officially released on VHS.zeusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66556166422741204832011-08-10T00:27:57.130-07:002011-08-10T00:27:57.130-07:00Just started on ABC tv, "Work It" is bas...Just started on ABC tv, "Work It" is basically "Bosom Buddies" in reverse, where two macho straight guys live as men but have to work as women.<br /><br />Not to worry - "Bewitched" is coming back as a new tv sitcom. Casting has begun.A_Homernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58942923138087084422011-08-09T23:43:07.061-07:002011-08-09T23:43:07.061-07:00Ken: Here's] that Huffpo story on "Top 10...Ken: <a href="http://splitsider.com/2011/08/the-ten-best-comedy-pilots-in-tv-history?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Splitsider+%28Splitsider%29&utm_content=Google+Reader" rel="nofollow">Here's</a>] that Huffpo story on "Top 10 TV Pilots" referred to above. Warning: some foreign content.tenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45498792146073292082011-08-09T23:39:57.366-07:002011-08-09T23:39:57.366-07:00I'm aghast that you'd choose to reference ...I'm aghast that you'd choose to reference Jake & the Fatman for William Conrad and not his other main show, Cannon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69044168805733904452011-08-09T21:43:33.815-07:002011-08-09T21:43:33.815-07:00Thank you, Cap'n/Kirk!Thank you, Cap'n/Kirk!Alias Smith and Wesson and Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85796094682556472462011-08-09T21:23:41.581-07:002011-08-09T21:23:41.581-07:00HW,
I can't tell whether you like me or hate ...HW,<br /><br />I can't tell whether you like me or hate what I'm doing. I'm confused. So... either thank you much or sorry you feel that way, whatever applies.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-28732595265310975462011-08-09T18:17:39.246-07:002011-08-09T18:17:39.246-07:00Back in the old days, the networks used to burn of...Back in the old days, the networks used to burn off unsold pilots in summer "showcases." I used to watch them religiously, because often they turned out to be better than the shows that DID get picked up. Two I especially remember fondly were DAKOTA'S WAY, with Patricia Chsrbonneau as a cheerfully rule-breaking cop and Bruce Davison as her timorous partner, and THE BAKERY, a Bochco-esque police series set in the past, present and future, with some actors playing more than one role, and how one case would span all that time. (As good as it was, I can see why it didn't go weekly; it woulda killed the writers.) I also recall a Wild West sitcom pilot with George Clooney, but the title has escaped me.<br /><br />Incidentally, JUDGE DEE AND THE MONESTARY MURDERS is widely believed to be among the best TV-movies of that era (I actually have a faded 16mm print of it), but I suspect the idea of a series was killed by what would have been its enormous below-the-line expense, as well as CBS not wishing to pull Dheigh off a hot series.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3202619096938546452011-08-09T17:22:12.411-07:002011-08-09T17:22:12.411-07:00I don't know where to go! *Please* continue w...I don't know where to go! *Please* continue with classic baseball announcing! I just want to know what *happened*!!! So sorry for the random post, but there's no way to simply call the front office and say "Hey, guys, just let Ken announce the games". Please reply with a way to start a petition. I tweet with the same handle.HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17608333593406155904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9556831386507011582011-08-09T15:49:58.566-07:002011-08-09T15:49:58.566-07:00Honestly, although I didn't see what the finis...Honestly, although I didn't see what the finished quiche looked like, "After George", as a plot device, has potential.<br /><br />We are living in a decade where technology has caught up with the concept, and it would be completely possible to program a set of personality variables into a sophisticated computer program. And then, overlay it with one's own voice.<br /><br />Depending on the writing involved (okay, also the actress), if you didn't stray too close to "My Hubby The Computer", and instead made it more of a human drama where the widow accesses the thinking processes of her mentor, lover and friend... and occasionally finds herself getting emotional, as the resemblance of the virtual personality to the late husband gets more eerie... you might actually have some artistic integrity, here. It might make a good film.<br /><br />(Or not.)Russ DiBellonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77853236692208981182011-08-09T15:45:13.496-07:002011-08-09T15:45:13.496-07:00Three decades ago I wrote a column for the univers...Three decades ago I wrote a column for the university paper (The Shorthorn) suggesting new shows for the upcoming season. <br /><br />The only one I can remember was "Pork and Dindy" - about an alien pig who says Oink-oo, Oink-oo, and his bimbo roommate Dindy.<br /><br />Maybe I should resubmit that...HogsAteMySisterhttp://hogsatemysister.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-91564739078179021202011-08-09T14:12:00.153-07:002011-08-09T14:12:00.153-07:00Some favorite unsold pilots from long ago:
- Ern...Some favorite unsold pilots from long ago:<br /><br /> - <i>Ernie, Madge, and Artie</i>: About a couple of middle-aged newlyweds who get haunted by the bride's deceased first husband.<br />The pilot aired on a summer evening just a couple of weeks after the real-life death of Frank Sutton, who played the ghost.<br /><br /> - <i>Ghost Writer</i>: Anthony Perkins as a Stephen King-type novelist who brings his new bride to live in his old house with a bunch of actual ghosts. This was a three-camera sitcom with an audience.<br /><br /> -<i>Escape</i>: A <i>Wild Wild West</i> knockoff set in the present, with Christopher George as an escape artist-adventurer, and Avery Schreiber and Huntz Hall in support.<br />The pilot aired on a Tuesday night, coincident with Mayor Daley I's latest re-election, so the last 15 minutes were pre-empted locally. Channel 7's switchboards practically melted down (Daley getting re-elected again was scarcely a surprise), and they had to show the whole thing again late at night a couple of nights later.<br /><br /> -<i>House Of Wax</i>: Back in '66 Warners dusted off this title for a turn-of-the-century whodunit, and ABC put it on the fall schedule.<br />But then office politics intervened, and Warners wound up adding footage and releasing it theatrically as <i>Chamber Of Horrors</i>.<br /><br />These are just the ones I can think of now. <br />Sorry you brought the whole thing up, no?Mike Dorannoreply@blogger.com