tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post1278934580274306572..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: What is the best spec to write?By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17125077889775449822010-11-02T16:54:16.266-07:002010-11-02T16:54:16.266-07:00Do you think the rise of "dramedies" has...Do you think the rise of "dramedies" has taken the place of the sitcoms that used to have more character development and character drama in them? I agree that modern sitcoms are more focused on getting out a ton of jokes each episode than putting time and effort into character development. But I think the light-hearted hour long "dramas", such as Psych, Burn Notice, Chuck, Bones, Desperate Housewives, and Men of a Certain Age - or the short-form "comedies" with more slightly more serious undertones on premium cable, such as Weeds, Bored to Death, and Eastbound and Down, have taken their place. I think you could do a show like MASH again in this day and age, but it would likely be an hour long show instead of a 30-minute "sitcom".rhyshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11106822956424737053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83207471491471224262010-11-02T00:30:47.858-07:002010-11-02T00:30:47.858-07:00So from my experience working behind the scenes at...So from my experience working behind the scenes at a screen writing competition the hot specs were Modern Family (by a large margin), 30 Rock, and It's Always Sunny (if my memory serves correct, seen too many in the past months). <br /><br />But at panels about television this year they are saying that showrunners want to see original pilots and that the "spec market" is gone (I personally heard this from one writer, and I had a good friend here the other from multiple people at panels).lucifervandrosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11222482184840116176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43081424503645126692010-10-31T16:26:13.807-07:002010-10-31T16:26:13.807-07:00I have a friday question.
How old is too old to d...I have a friday question.<br /><br />How old is too old to decide to become a television writer? Do you think writing is a business for the young or that head writers are only interested in giving young people in their early 20's their first big break?Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62161561645691973272010-10-30T16:44:18.576-07:002010-10-30T16:44:18.576-07:00Thanks, Ken.
I probably have a half dozen. I was ...Thanks, Ken.<br /><br />I probably have a half dozen. I was a tapin' fool back in the eighties. In fact, right after your show on that tape is an episode of "Foley Sq." which I didn't realize was written by Diane English.<br /><br />I also have a bunch of Tony Randall Show's.bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47213988361992374692010-10-30T12:07:39.367-07:002010-10-30T12:07:39.367-07:00Thanks Benson. I'm going to post this later t...Thanks Benson. I'm going to post this later this afternoon. <br /><br />If you have any more episodes and would care to put 'em on YouTube please be my guest.<br /><br />Thanks again.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57530877443547517182010-10-30T11:19:59.076-07:002010-10-30T11:19:59.076-07:00Hope people check back...
Got the Mary episode wi...Hope people check back...<br /><br />Got the Mary episode with Katey Sagal singing posted. I guess she didn't sing as long as I remembered in the scene. Also, Mary said "damn" at the beginning of pt. 2. Wow, Ken, having America's Sweetheart say Damn.<br /><br />part1 <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF9F4tSDhtw<br /><br />pt2 <br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31zgXmjmbkbensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75968565653792847182010-10-30T03:56:13.131-07:002010-10-30T03:56:13.131-07:00If you want to check out Jane Leeves dance skills ...If you want to check out Jane Leeves dance skills she was on three episodes of "The Benny Hill Show" in the 1980s (check imdb). The episodes are also good for checking out Jane Leeves if you know what I mean and I think you do.mcpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-34945008823386864322010-10-29T20:20:46.823-07:002010-10-29T20:20:46.823-07:00I remember the pool scene, too. I very closely wa...I remember the pool scene, too. I very closely watch actors doing things that take skill, like playing guitar, because if they don't do it well, then it really pisses me off as a viewer. <br /><br />One that sticks out in particular is Pierce Brosnan in The Thomas Crown Affair. One scene he had to make a golf shot, and he has absolutely the WORST swing in the world. Like, worse than Jim Furyk.<br /><br />So, when I see an actor really doing something that takes skill, I start admiring them a little bit more.Reboundinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01610595028216626302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29790950576429112732010-10-29T16:02:51.591-07:002010-10-29T16:02:51.591-07:00Saw the pool hall episode of Frasier a couple of w...Saw the pool hall episode of Frasier a couple of weeks ago when I visited my parents. Jane Leeves looked very competent shooting pool. Figured she'd been playing the game a long time.Max Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706524941272103444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37735568553636440872010-10-29T14:41:10.390-07:002010-10-29T14:41:10.390-07:00Jane Leeves is also a dancer. This of course was u...Jane Leeves is also a dancer. This of course was used to memorable effect when she and Niles tangoed. She is one of the dancers in the "Christmas in Heaven" production number in <i>Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.</i> In an extra on the <i>Meaning of Life</i> DVD they highlight her so you can pick her out.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19241218060202343432010-10-29T12:50:49.667-07:002010-10-29T12:50:49.667-07:00Like every “Simpsons” character, wouldn’t a drawin...Like every “Simpsons” character, wouldn’t a drawing of the Goofball still have to appear with “Matt Groening” underneath?BigTednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85907203736070736762010-10-29T10:22:29.346-07:002010-10-29T10:22:29.346-07:00Cap City Goofball! You still have the sketches? Oh...Cap City Goofball! You still have the sketches? Oh, you gotta post those!Aaron Hazourihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09106694976443389309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-74093637176277224702010-10-29T07:17:56.157-07:002010-10-29T07:17:56.157-07:00Two things: I remember that episode of Mary where ...Two things: I remember that episode of Mary where Katey sang. It was very, very good, and poignant, if I remember correctly. And I think I probably have it on VHS somewhere and as I've been saying for a year or so now, will try and find it and post it up on YouTube.<br /><br />Re: Jane Leeves. Not only a whiz at pool, but also a bit "psy...cic"bensonnoreply@blogger.com