tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7896512023778598197..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The time I thought my career was overBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44718702803539546212014-06-20T14:22:20.314-07:002014-06-20T14:22:20.314-07:00THANK YOU so much for this particular column. I h...THANK YOU so much for this particular column. I haven't been able to write much in the past few months and began to wonder if my own career was done. I wrote a story a few days ago that was very well received, but still, I wondered if my well had run dry after some 1500+ tales. Now I know that things will eventually work out. Bless you because this was the kind of column I needed to read.BrettJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00399759208677794664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85306402029795072062014-05-20T05:20:31.243-07:002014-05-20T05:20:31.243-07:00@howard hoffman: Congratulations!
@howard hoffman: Congratulations!<br />The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69032451187481646482014-05-19T09:34:24.565-07:002014-05-19T09:34:24.565-07:00@Famous!
I sometimes think I'm optimistic to ...@Famous!<br /><br />I sometimes think I'm optimistic to a flaw. Looking back through my life, I'd stuck out many miserable experiences far longer than I should have, simply because I was trying to convince myself "it's not THAT bad - I can fix this! I can make it work!".<br /><br />But every single time I've eventually accepted defeat, I realise that I should have trusted my own instincts and moved on much sooner. Every. Single. Time.<br /><br />When things are right, you know they're right. You don't need to try and convince yourself. (And you shouldn't forget that you can be happy again, too. Sometimes, after a prolonged period of trying to find a sense of contentment in a shitty situation, we forget that we can be happy and so stop striving for it.)Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74212136658399811792014-05-18T12:45:13.070-07:002014-05-18T12:45:13.070-07:00wasn't Lois.wasn't Lois.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86779897887107465812014-05-18T11:45:29.224-07:002014-05-18T11:45:29.224-07:00Honestly, my immediate takeaway from your story wa...Honestly, my immediate takeaway from your story was that the moment you removed yourself from an atmosphere where <i>it simply wasn't working</i> ("MARY"), you "found yourself" again.<br /><br />Which means that all the time you worked on "MARY", you were likely in denial about the futility of it all. Because <i>you wanted it to work</i>. And this clouded the judgment you needed to suck it up, and walk away, toward a situation with more artistic integrity and the bigger likelihood of success (such as "Cheers").<br /><br />I myself am currently in a situation where I am tasked to be much less than I've ever been. Far from being the cliche of a positive, humbling experience, I'm actually finding it toxic to my sense of self. Which happens, when you're punched in the head every day with the message: "THIS is who you are... not that other guy... THIS. And as you can plainly see (not in the least by the way we treat you), you are much less than you always believed you were."<br /><br />I'm speculating, of course, but I think that's what you experienced on "MARY".Famous!noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67493687526070617832014-05-18T10:10:47.558-07:002014-05-18T10:10:47.558-07:00Thank you, Ken, along with commenters here, partic...Thank you, Ken, along with commenters here, particularly mmryan314's reminder of the value of failure. I've been engulfed in anxiety, panic and overwhelming feelings of "hacktitude" as I attempt to expand my single act play into two acts. Does having a partner help to endure/work through it? Kathleennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43172139100073977162014-05-18T09:24:46.356-07:002014-05-18T09:24:46.356-07:00Thank you for the story and the encouragement, Ken...Thank you for the story and the encouragement, Ken. I really needed it.Pamelahttp://pamelabriggs.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39369302400359580892014-05-17T22:48:32.197-07:002014-05-17T22:48:32.197-07:00MARY was an interesting show, mostly for the chari...MARY was an interesting show, mostly for the charismatic Katey Sagal's portrayal of Jo Tucker. James Farentino was surprisingly nimble and John Astin was somehow touching in the character's fragile egotism. I really had high hopes for the show.<br /><br />Ken Levine has written anecdotes about the experience on this blog before. I'd love to hear a detailed complete account. <br /><br />The oddest thing on the show was that the Mary who was present was not the Mary characters addressed. For example, Jo Tucker asked Mary Brenner if she were the kind of person who'd keep Care Bears on her desk. This is something someone might have asked Mary Richards. But the by the time of MARY, that face had tightened, the charm had been etched away, and the voice had become brittle. Characters repeatedly treated MARY as if she were Mary Richards when the Mary in front of them was clearly hardened and bitter. <br />Sidebar: Writing "the Mary" made me think of greatest line from "Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion": "Everyone knows I'm the Mary and you're the Rhoda."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79805122423647470962014-05-17T22:10:57.113-07:002014-05-17T22:10:57.113-07:00I have always been a student of failure. I love fa...I have always been a student of failure. I love failure. My own husband almost failed twice before his business took off ( by the way- some of the best years of my life). Some of history's most successful people came from failure. Walt Disney- three time loser- Steven Jobs- dropping out of college. Gore Vidal- college dropout- Wayne Huizenga- married early. Never close the chapter of your life- ever. Good for you Ken. Count yourself in the best of company.mmryan314https://www.blogger.com/profile/03956737239500293977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13687962363670191502014-05-17T21:37:20.932-07:002014-05-17T21:37:20.932-07:00Ken has written in the past on this blog -- very s...Ken has written in the past on this blog -- very sympathetically, I am sorry to say to those whose main interests are dirt, unkindness and gossip -- about Mary Tyler Moore and his and David's experience working with her.Marcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8730424883031114272014-05-17T19:19:25.930-07:002014-05-17T19:19:25.930-07:00Great story. You seem to have touched a chord with...Great story. You seem to have touched a chord with many of your readers, Ken. Me included.<br /><br />I, too, would love to hear more about your experiences writing for MARY -- and why it was such a painful experience for you and David.<br /><br />Thanks for this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15458293710002421748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-46641335781369769302014-05-17T18:57:58.233-07:002014-05-17T18:57:58.233-07:00I can relate. From 1995 to 2009, I entered the The...I can relate. From 1995 to 2009, I entered the The Three Day Novel Writing Contest. I never had any trouble finding ideas to write about, but then in 2010, I took a break from the contest and never went back to it, until now in 2014. I have an idea for a satirical novel, but, I'm afraid that Bono and Geldof would kick my ass if they read it!Albert Giesbrechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17742338183833125104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30674670416275439502014-05-17T18:04:13.033-07:002014-05-17T18:04:13.033-07:00That's a wonderful story, Ken. But you gotta s...That's a wonderful story, Ken. But you gotta spill the beans on how horrible it was to work for Mary Tyler Moore during this painful, awful period. BTW, the "Mary" show was not that bad, particularly Katey Sagal. But I have heard that Mary could be a C-word from hell on occasion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77989247584298622542014-05-17T13:42:31.430-07:002014-05-17T13:42:31.430-07:00Shit.... I've already resorted to cartooning t...Shit.... I've already resorted to cartooning to pay the bills... What happens if THAT hits a wall?? Do I start watchin' baseball games, doing play by plays from the upper deck til they throw me over the wall?Aaron Hazourihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09106694976443389309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76213624610686709552014-05-17T12:57:54.404-07:002014-05-17T12:57:54.404-07:00Wait...there's a "gift" to this whol...Wait...there's a "gift" to this whole writing thing? You mean I can't just take all those "amazing" and "guaranteed to succeed" online webinars and courses and consultation deals offered by The Writers Store and ScreenwritingU and Screenwriters University (trust me, I could go on...and on) and sell my script to the highest bidder?<br />Sheesh.<br />Okay, so I need this "gift" thing.<br />Please give me the url where I can download it a.s.a.p.Son of Minka's on Beverly.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16474240623745638642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21213315331607043852014-05-17T12:31:43.527-07:002014-05-17T12:31:43.527-07:00I actually have a "Bram & Alice" t-s...I actually have a "Bram & Alice" t-shirt. Make me an offer. Kevin Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44554802374797185042014-05-17T11:27:24.011-07:002014-05-17T11:27:24.011-07:00Add me to the other commenters for whom this post ...Add me to the other commenters for whom this post is incredibly timely. I've spent most of the last year feeling at sea, no confidence in myself, every decision seeming to be the wrong one. Only within the last week or so have I begun to feel confident, and to feel optimistic about my choices and my future. Thank you, Ken, for this post.Smurchnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56416281588213214402014-05-17T10:48:51.147-07:002014-05-17T10:48:51.147-07:00'way to go, Howie!'way to go, Howie!Barefoot Billy Alohahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586870309250699505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73169181331869327782014-05-17T10:18:29.497-07:002014-05-17T10:18:29.497-07:00550 KTSA, by the way.550 KTSA, by the way.Howard Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05377628524697677407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72452875383605762952014-05-17T10:17:57.031-07:002014-05-17T10:17:57.031-07:00"MARY, the comeback series for Mary Tyler Moo...<i>"MARY, the comeback series for Mary Tyler Moore (actually comeback two of four)."</i> <br /><br />But I remember seeing one episode each of two earlier short-lived comeback series, both during the 1978-79 season and both on CBS: <i>Mary</i> (a variety show) and <i>The Mary Tyler Moore Hour</i> (a show about making a variety show). So that would make sitcom <i>Mary</i> the third one, no?<br /><br />Thanks for the inspirational advice about the persistence of one's own ability despite the events of the moment.gottacooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10755117504809407082014-05-17T10:15:34.435-07:002014-05-17T10:15:34.435-07:00I just went through this myself - granted, on a mu...I just went through this myself - granted, on a much smaller scale, but one that tested my confidence and creativity.<br /><br />As Ken well knows, I spent almost 18 years churning out imaging for KABC and ABC affiliates across the country. We won awards, got attention and had a lot of fun in the process. When the current owners swept me and 27 others out in 2011, I equate it to walking out of a broken time machine where I was dropped into a humorless personality-free future with no place for my sick mind.<br /><br />I spent the last two years essentially in the wilderness - leaving L.A. and planting roots in eastern Washington state, cobbling together odd jobs and collecting the last of my unemployment.<br /><br />Two months ago, a radio station in San Antonio gave me a call. The program director liked my stuff when I was working, and asked if I wanted to do it again for his station. I could even do it out of my own studio in Washington. I surprised myself in that I was genuinely frightened. Could I summon up the funny? Can I produce under deadlines? Can my brain function after being numbed and dormant for so long?<br /><br />It turned out the answer was a resounding "yes." And all it takes is for one person with humor and vision to give you the blank canvas. I'm back in the saddle, he's loving my stuff and the sleeping inner clown has started honking his horn again.<br /><br />Today, as in 1986, it can happen.Howard Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05377628524697677407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27161414640298975952014-05-17T10:11:35.531-07:002014-05-17T10:11:35.531-07:00I would have gladly 'leased' you my easel ...I would have gladly 'leased' you my easel for a small fee & a reasonable percentage of your sales! Stormin Norman Rockwellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57125516501460332702014-05-17T09:10:41.760-07:002014-05-17T09:10:41.760-07:00Good stuff. I've been going through this throu...Good stuff. I've been going through this throughout my life. I'll get sidetracked in life by a busy period, swear to myself I just need to swear off my filmmaking dreams and writing, but then I watch one of my favorite movies and the engine automatically comes back to life at full-steam.<br /><br />The Superman analogy's good. I love those great transitions from the end of Act II into Act III when the protag rallies his strength again to go after the bad guy and call it a movie.Dan Ballhttp://thedanballbrand.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69560005004502653792014-05-17T09:09:33.557-07:002014-05-17T09:09:33.557-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dan Ballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865180000909831517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77220508376253123132014-05-17T09:02:56.257-07:002014-05-17T09:02:56.257-07:00I needed to read this right now. Thank you xI needed to read this right now. Thank you xTracey Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03847364457776852368noreply@blogger.com