tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post1311595156144387298..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Another rant on the current state of TVBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75127173501864419622014-02-12T00:02:57.363-08:002014-02-12T00:02:57.363-08:00Interesting how lowly you speak of Cal State North...Interesting how lowly you speak of Cal State Northridge graduates...especially since James Burrows spoke at that school this past week and seemed to have had a pleasant experience.<br /><br />Otherwise, I second your general perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25423146736152630302012-12-05T18:02:41.685-08:002012-12-05T18:02:41.685-08:00ID'ing background actors for The Stoogeum arch...ID'ing background actors for The Stoogeum archive database. <br /><br />Al Rosen was Curly's stand-in during the early/mid-1940s, and had bit roles in a couple shorts at that time. There's also a bit player in Moe, Larry & Shemp's SHOT IN THE FRONTIER (1954) that's been ID'ed as another possible Al Rosen appearance. As someone who worked with Al on CHEERS, if I could forward the screen-grab image to you somehow, do you think you'd be able to refute or confirm? <br /><br />(Image isn't online; no link to send you to.)Brenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15831718435157744898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89137294317403489102012-10-20T11:06:00.029-07:002012-10-20T11:06:00.029-07:00Blame the ad agencies. They're the ones who fo...Blame the ad agencies. They're the ones who found that young men 16-25 are more susceptible to manipulation than other demographic groups. Since then, network TV is only interested in coddling young men's egos and supporting their inaccurate, self-justifying stereotypes and prejudices. That's what reaches the market advertisers will pay more to reach.<br /><br />So yes, Rhea Perlman could still have a career if she was fine playing hateful, inaccurate stereotypes. Carla would be played by a 32-year-old supermodel and would be neurotic and dumb.Charlenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15469827362374622318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90955714792478938862012-10-17T11:55:59.475-07:002012-10-17T11:55:59.475-07:00Great post, but your premise is flawed. Today'...Great post, but your premise is flawed. Today's networks would never have gotten around to making the decision. The discussion would have devolved when someone wondered aloud whether Sinatra was too old a reference.K.P.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30565152072462483032012-10-17T06:21:37.171-07:002012-10-17T06:21:37.171-07:00Some junior executive in the NBC casting or curren...<i> Some junior executive in the NBC casting or current department – probably someone a year removed from Cal State Northdridge – would make that decision over the Charles Brothers and James Burrows.</i><br /><br />NBC would hire a junior exec from <i>Cal State Northridge</i>? I thought only Ivy Leaguers and their ilk got these jobs.<br /><br />Stu Shostak said:<br /><i>I had a very well known, established actress on my show a few months ago. She read for a 5-LINE part on "Hot in Cleveland" back in March. A couple of days later, she got a callback to do her part again...on digital video so the network execs in New York could approve her. This want all the way to Larry Jones, the head of the network! Days went by. Finally, three hours before the table read of the script, she was called (and awaken in the wee hours of the morning) by her agent, who had just heard from the casting people that she got the part! Outrageous! And to add insult to injury, when the show aired, they cut three of her lines.<br /></i><br /><br />Was this Francine York?VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58682424144266087922012-10-16T21:23:07.742-07:002012-10-16T21:23:07.742-07:00I'm curious as to what qualifications these ex...I'm curious as to what qualifications these executives are supposed to have. I read Bill Carter's book "Desperate Networks", and I came out of it with the impression that the execs simply went to the right schools or came from the right families. Are there actual qualifications?Mike Schryverhttp://www.amazon.com/TV-Tidbits-and-Trivia-ebook/dp/B008NZTAFKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15994148375028684612012-10-16T14:28:56.104-07:002012-10-16T14:28:56.104-07:00You're beautiful when you're angry.You're beautiful when you're angry.Jon88https://www.blogger.com/profile/16908049871851563389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75822493991816765302012-10-16T14:12:17.051-07:002012-10-16T14:12:17.051-07:00The only new shows I've seen this season are T...The only new shows I've seen this season are THE LAST RESORT and VEGAS, and they share the same problem: HALF of each episode is good stuff, and the OTHER half is boring as hell. <br /> And in BOTH cases, the BORING stuff is obviously trying to be like a recent major hit series that aired on that respective network.cstnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26435227122280944982012-10-16T13:58:34.779-07:002012-10-16T13:58:34.779-07:00Excellent point, but I am curious as to how long h...Excellent point, but I am curious as to how long he was in the cast list as "the man who said Sinatra."<br /><br />I remember being lucky enough to see the shows being filmed on a weekly basis, and I remember the first time Al was introduced by the audience warm-up guy along with the rest of the cast. I was so excited to see Al get some credit that I blurted out, "It's the man who said Sinatra!"<br /><br />The following week, Al was introduced by the same warm-up guy as "the man who said Sinatra."<br /><br />I couldn't possibly have been the guy who started that. Could I???Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04015315444694818680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48716441141047610132012-10-16T12:59:59.106-07:002012-10-16T12:59:59.106-07:00It's not just a 'show business problem'...It's not just a 'show business problem'. Middle Management and Executives don't rise through the ranks anymore. They get hired because they seem ambitious and 'give good interview'. <br /><br />They bounce around from company to company doing nothing and leaving the regular folks holding the bag.John Goinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08163199311420809825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16464553698506354212012-10-16T12:09:47.520-07:002012-10-16T12:09:47.520-07:00Great post although there are a lot of reasons sho...Great post although there are a lot of reasons shows aren't getting a 30 share anymore. There are infinitely more channels now and different ways to watch tv. Over the air broadcast is a dying medium. Viewership spread across the board.Syndication Herohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294754994856171228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63577944799011531852012-10-16T08:39:44.462-07:002012-10-16T08:39:44.462-07:00The Onion's AV Club has a series called "...The Onion's AV Club has a series called "A Very Special Episode" where they explore a show through an in-depth analysis of one episode.<br /><br />I think I cheered audibly when I saw that "Fortune and Men's Weight" was the "Cheers" entry. <br /><br />http://www.avclub.com/articles/cheers-fortune-and-mens-weight,64473/<br />chalmersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64680998448540703602012-10-16T06:31:22.207-07:002012-10-16T06:31:22.207-07:00Ref: Al Rosen... You also can't go wrong with ...Ref: Al Rosen... You also can't go wrong with a guy who was Curly Howard's stand-in in the 1940s, and had bit roles in a couple Stooge comedies.Brent Seguinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56919344942526940592012-10-16T06:23:19.583-07:002012-10-16T06:23:19.583-07:00Oh, wow, I just realized that this was from one of...Oh, wow, I just realized that this was from one of my all-time favorite episodes, Fortune and Men's Weight. A brilliant episode, with a boldly sad ending that very few sitcoms outside of Cheers (and MASH) would ever attempt. This is the one when Sam and Diane break up due, indirectly, to the fortune that Diane gets from the machine. <br /><br />One thing I'd love to ask Ken to address is why this ending was never followed up -- the next show begins with Sam & Diane together as if nothing happened, which was odd given how dramatic the ending of this episode was. It didn't seem like one of a dozen times that Sam & Diane might have broken up for the night.<br /><br />The ending of this episode was so mature and brilliant, only to be beaten up the actual ending of the season when Sam looks at the painting that the Christopher Lloyd character made of Diane. Sam's one-word reaction when he finally saw the painting was so unexpected and such a bold, original way to end the season (and their relationship). Probably the most remarkable moment of the entire series.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26409240192061437792012-10-16T05:47:17.253-07:002012-10-16T05:47:17.253-07:00So, who was the big wig Carla was talking about? I...So, who was the big wig Carla was talking about? I'm sure I've seen this episode a couple dozen times (as I have all Cheers episodes), but I'm sorry to say I can't remember. Anyone know?Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53489461196005204882012-10-16T03:27:41.953-07:002012-10-16T03:27:41.953-07:00Paul Duca's got the answer for you. Sit down a...Paul Duca's got the answer for you. Sit down and make an effort to watch not the shows, but the commercials in between. Mark them in to two categories: "Hey, that looks nifty" and "strictly for the saps" If you score more of the latter, then 1) the advertisers really don't give a shit about you, and 2) you're old, dude (Does anyone under the age of forty still say dude?).<br /><br />If you want your programmes paid for by advertising, then you're going to end up with TV aimed at the gormless, for the suckers, and for those who haven't yet maxxed out their credit cards. Jimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75374786702368477952012-10-16T01:06:31.708-07:002012-10-16T01:06:31.708-07:00I tried to describe to two of my best friends (all...I tried to describe to two of my best friends (all big fans of both sci-fi and comedy; all we do together is laaaaaugh) and my husband just how truly awful "The Neighbors" is, and couldn't find words for it, so instead of coming here and reading them your review, I went to ABC OnDemand and said "Here-- take THIS shit in." By the first break, they were all quietly stunned, having never even chuckled. "Was that REALLY an actual show, or a bad skit on a bad sketch show?", "THIS is why I don't watch network TV anymore", and "Who or what is responsible for what I just witnessed, because I NEED to hurt them back" were the reactions. <br /><br />Both TV and the movie industry completely confound me the last 10 years or so; it's all SO awful, and I know it doesn't usually start out that way, with everyone from the top down intending for it to suck. The anger I feel after watching it all isn't so much for me and the hours of my life I'll never get back, but all the poor people who worked their asses off on it (especially costumes and make-up: RECOGNIZE!), only to have it be crap. It must drive them insane. Doesn't anyone care?<br /><br />Cheers, thanks a lot,<br /><br />StormStormnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18969826054734318442012-10-15T23:19:48.260-07:002012-10-15T23:19:48.260-07:00Just watched the clip 5 times. I laughed out loud...Just watched the clip 5 times. I laughed out loud EVERY SINGLE TIME.<br /><br />I watched Two Broke Girls and didn't laugh once. Had to turn it off it was so insulting.<br /><br />Ken, what can be done to reverse the tide?Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-56663634191504217292012-10-15T22:48:16.385-07:002012-10-15T22:48:16.385-07:00Hear, Hear!
(.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hear,_hear)Hear, Hear!<br />(.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hear,_hear)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09367610561549607692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63348115960618838242012-10-15T21:48:15.567-07:002012-10-15T21:48:15.567-07:00Ken, I hope you check out "The Booth at the E...Ken, I hope you check out "The Booth at the End" on Hulu. One of the best things I've seen.Jonathan Rothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12377101332132645952012-10-15T21:28:19.170-07:002012-10-15T21:28:19.170-07:00stiuldiA Freakin' Men. Not that this EVEN com...stiuldiA Freakin' Men. Not that this EVEN compares but I sold a series of Concept Specials (back when you could do that) to ABC. My partner and mentor was legendary television producer and director Fred de Cordova - ten years at Warners, ten at Universal, and on television he directed and produced Jack Benny and Burns and Allen among many others. It was a booking intensive series and I had the guy that booked 25 years on the Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson. I had to get him approved.<br /><br />Mark Bennett (Sitcom Room '07)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14526220833577691672012-10-15T19:06:17.728-07:002012-10-15T19:06:17.728-07:00Grumble, grumble, grumble. Well, back in MY day, d...Grumble, grumble, grumble. Well, back in MY day, dadburnit . . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20736832161801744102012-10-15T18:02:19.688-07:002012-10-15T18:02:19.688-07:00@Stu Thanks for sharing and confirming the "i...@Stu Thanks for sharing and confirming the "insanity"<br /><br />@Terry Fascinating question to ponder about the "Sawx". bensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-6431257967102366752012-10-15T17:59:21.857-07:002012-10-15T17:59:21.857-07:00This is exactly why the great writers--Aaron Sorki...This is exactly why the great writers--Aaron Sorkin, David Kelley, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Stephen Bochco, et al--have packed their bags and moved to cable. After what NBC did to HARRY'S LAW, I hope Kelley tells them to commit a physical impossibility if they ever approach him again.<br /><br />It's the same with movies, FWIW: 25-year-olds giving notes to veteran, often Oscar-winning filmmakers. I once attended an interview with Blake Edwards, and he said he retired because he got fed up with having his pictures "rewritten, reshot and recut by 200 Valley teenagers who can't spell."cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79308959250618142872012-10-15T15:28:56.238-07:002012-10-15T15:28:56.238-07:00This topic reminds me of a recent article I read a...This topic reminds me of a recent article I read about the greatness of the movie Jaws. It pointed out that all the beach scenes feature average-looking folks -- all ages, shapes and sizes. So it felt real. If they were shooting it today, everyone on the beach would be young and ripped. The guys would all have six-pack abs and the girls would have silicone breasts and wax lips. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com