tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8718953320940318922..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Writers' torture: Waiting for your script to be readBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16192879972680935552019-07-16T16:04:55.230-07:002019-07-16T16:04:55.230-07:00The wait is truly one of the worst parts of being ...The wait is truly one of the worst parts of being a writer. Kudos to Gelbart and to you for following his example. It shows special respect and caring for your writers and that is gold we rarely experience.Bryan Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942472363470824138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25589950849064806832015-03-24T08:36:11.890-07:002015-03-24T08:36:11.890-07:00Anonymous Brownie said...
I was going to read this...<i>Anonymous Brownie said...<br />I was going to read this post in 1931, but I kept putting it off...screw it, I'll have Marjorie Lord read it!</i><br /><br />The lady in my avatar read it, and loved it. She wants Ken to know he can write scripts for her anytime.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10787944736737901002015-03-22T15:46:05.164-07:002015-03-22T15:46:05.164-07:00Ben,
My wife hates everything I write. I'm o...Ben,<br /> My wife hates everything I write. I'm on my fourth assignment now. I don't ask her to read anything anymore.Dangonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36207795587234710292015-03-21T20:29:07.487-07:002015-03-21T20:29:07.487-07:00I actually submitted a spec script for a show that...I actually submitted a spec script for a show that's one year shy of being on the air for <i>20 years, non-stop</i>; I was informed by one of the show's associate producers (whom I was instructed to contact) that my spec would be forwarded to the head writer at their annual story meeting in the summer, and that I would hear something then.<br /><br />Personally, I'm not at all anxious about what I'll be hearing, because I know this is pretty much a long shot and it probably won't get any further than the suggestions bag anyway; besides, I wrote it more on a whim than anything.Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33958422680249862062015-03-21T19:27:20.694-07:002015-03-21T19:27:20.694-07:00Friday Question:
it always strikes me as lame when...Friday Question:<br />it always strikes me as lame when on a TV show, there'a about 5-6 people standing there when one says to another "we need to talk privately," and then they step 18 inches to the right where EVERYONE COULD STILL EASILY HEAR THEM.<br /><br />is that a blocking thing, like is it too hard to get those 2 people further away?cd1515https://www.blogger.com/profile/13442641020639066876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7003832359489350712015-03-21T12:07:14.751-07:002015-03-21T12:07:14.751-07:00I was going to read this post in 1931, but I kept ...I was going to read this post in 1931, but I kept putting it off...screw it, I'll have Marjorie Lord read it!Brownienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70308398552539167962015-03-21T12:03:56.950-07:002015-03-21T12:03:56.950-07:00"Go, and never darken my towels again!"
..."Go, and never darken my towels again!"<br /><br />Recalling freshman year in college. A professor was handing back term papers each day as he read them. Mine, one of the first turned in, had yet to appear. I asked about it; he said the title was interesting and he was saving it for last.<br /><br />Now that was a scary week. I was not the brightest one in that class and knew I'd be rated against all the geniuses he'd read before me. It was like auditioning for an amateur musical right after the semi-pro who did the Soliloquy from "Carousel."<br /><br />I got a passing grade. I scored a few points for stumbling onto a topic the prof was personally interested in, and lost a few more because my errors bothered him more. DBensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62130984098251687502015-03-21T11:01:35.556-07:002015-03-21T11:01:35.556-07:00Steve, Griff: I also was about to point out DUCK S...Steve, Griff: I also was about to point out DUCK SOUP. You probably were writing your posts simultaneously.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20063407693372907342015-03-21T10:45:55.827-07:002015-03-21T10:45:55.827-07:00Potential Friday Question: Reading about the music...Potential Friday Question: Reading about the musical adaptation of "Happy Days" has me wondering, what other sitcoms (or even dramas) do you think could be adapted successfully for the stage (either as musicals or non-musicals)?Rashad Khannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8479699487107702112015-03-21T10:39:44.993-07:002015-03-21T10:39:44.993-07:00BTW, Ken - I posted the above about LOVING the jac...BTW, Ken - I posted the above about LOVING the jack graphic before I'd even read the part of your post about the "Jack story". For me, that actual jack is all about having to move some otherwise immovable object.<br /><br />@Ben wrote, "How's that for faith?"<br /><br />I dunno. Is Faith your wife?Igornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20363339817845582072015-03-21T10:30:34.117-07:002015-03-21T10:30:34.117-07:00
Ken, I LOVE the graphic you used for this. The ... <br />Ken, I LOVE the graphic you used for this. The perfect emotional connection (at least for me, since I've used one of those).<br /><br />Now, if only you could find a photo of Natalie Wood using one.Igornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7170243326456472832015-03-21T09:42:34.766-07:002015-03-21T09:42:34.766-07:00When I read the Jack story, it also reminded me of...When I read the Jack story, it also reminded me of Duck Soup. Here's the clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Wh66FXZJQTom Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15032570336725768454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59543248294282439042015-03-21T08:19:31.614-07:002015-03-21T08:19:31.614-07:00As I wait for professional actors to table read 10...As I wait for professional actors to table read 10 pages of my "Fugitive Sweetheart" script at a contest in Glendale next Thursday, and as I reach 88 pages on my other romantic comedy screenplay, I needed reassurance such as this, a reminder that, as Tom Petty wrote and sang, the waiting <i>indeed</i> is "the hardest part" -- especially when it comes to creating characters for fun and (with hope) profit. Thank you, Ken.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66553838782218894282015-03-21T07:42:28.618-07:002015-03-21T07:42:28.618-07:00This column sounds like a gentle comment on some o...This column sounds like a gentle comment on some of the banter that occurred on this space during Ken's Asian vacation.Oat Willienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9173253041295050402015-03-21T07:02:43.588-07:002015-03-21T07:02:43.588-07:00While Danny Thomas was a peerless monologuist, the...While Danny Thomas was a peerless monologuist, the basic "jack" story long pre-dates him. Years ago, it was apparently known as the "plow routine." It was beautifully adapted for use in DUCK SOUP for a key scene in which Groucho, leader of Freedonia, is supposedly hoping to reconcile with the ambassador of Sylvania...<br /><br />Groucho: I'd be unworthy of the high trust that's been placed in me if I didn't do everything in my power to keep our beloved Freedonia in peace with the world. I'll be only too happy to meet with Ambassador Trentino, and offer him on behalf of my country the right hand of good fellowship. And I feel certain he will accept this gesture in the spirit of which it is offered.<br /> <br />...But suppose he <i>doesn't</i>. A fine thing that'll be. I hold out my hand and he refuses to accept. That'll add a lot to my prestige, won't it? Me, the head of a country, snubbed by a foreign ambassador! Who does he think he is, that he can come here, and make a sap of me in front of all my people? Think of it -- I hold out my hand and that hyena refuses to accept. <b>Why, the cheap four-flushing swine!</b> He'll never get away with it, I tell you, he'll never get away with it!<br /><br />[Ambassador Trentino arrives, ready to extend his hand.]<br /><br />Groucho: So -- you refuse to shake hands with me, eh?<br /><br />[Groucho slaps Trentino with a glove.]Griffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44668637588313928622015-03-21T06:59:57.207-07:002015-03-21T06:59:57.207-07:00I can't resist mentioning that the "Jack ...I can't resist mentioning that the "Jack story" goes back a long way, at least to the Marx Brothers. In DUCK SOUP, Groucho, the leader of Fredonia, prepares to extend the hand of friendship to his rival Trentino in order to avoid war with Trentino's country. But Groucho works himself up into such an outrage over Trentino's (imagined) spurn of friendship that as soon as Trentino arrives on the scene, Groucho slaps him, and then their countries are at war.Steve Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07460010481523481647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7255865254864003542015-03-21T06:37:28.192-07:002015-03-21T06:37:28.192-07:00I finished my script 2 weeks ago. I still can'...I finished my script 2 weeks ago. I still can't get my wife to read it. How's that for faith?Bennoreply@blogger.com