tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post1472851469616050987..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Network Interference at its Most InsaneBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-28718414211094268442011-11-11T17:54:35.654-08:002011-11-11T17:54:35.654-08:00Yup, as Andy Cook pointed out, Yes Minister never ...Yup, as Andy Cook pointed out, Yes Minister never mentioned any character's party affiliation, never mentioned the name of the Prime Minister, and never even *showed* the PM (until the sequel series, when the the lead character BECAME the Prime Minster).<br /><br />It is without question the best political sitcom ever, and quite possibly the best political series ever made. Personally, I'll take it over The West Wing -- albeit just by a smidgen. If you've never seen it, check it out!Breadalbanenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7404362250240425292011-10-25T18:15:02.802-07:002011-10-25T18:15:02.802-07:00I'd vote for your dad.I'd vote for your dad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08966608324536298331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5714304460683478012011-10-19T05:28:41.420-07:002011-10-19T05:28:41.420-07:00On a completely unrelated topic, I note the passin...On a completely unrelated topic, I note the passing of centenarian radio legend Norman Corwin, whose productions during the 1940s still represent some of the most literate uses of the medium (and who probably ran into more than his share of network interference).VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53104411875698222432011-10-18T16:00:37.042-07:002011-10-18T16:00:37.042-07:00The one plotline that I remember on George C. Scot...The one plotline that I remember on George C. Scott’s “Mr. President” was when the first family embarked on a stunt where they spent the night at the home of “regular American folks.” <br /><br />The event was an awkward flop, but the president and the family dad eventually bonded in the middle of the night when they started chatting about the ’61 Yankees while the president was raiding the family’s fridge.<br /><br />President George detailed how the team’s power went well beyond Maris and Mantle, and explained how two “catchers,” Elston Howard and Yogi Berra, both had big home run numbers. (Yogi was playing a lot of outfield by then.)chalmersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82515359726116819902011-10-17T23:11:41.753-07:002011-10-17T23:11:41.753-07:00The original point of Yes, Minister was that the p...The original point of Yes, Minister was that the politics of the party in power were irrelevant because it was the bureaucrats in charge. As time went on, it sort of flipped and Jim Hacker got to win on occasion (basically, the winner was shown by the inflection of the title line as the last line of the show). The prime minister was definitely male in the first series (and obviously continued when Hacker got the job).Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85906709617150374902011-10-17T21:28:17.914-07:002011-10-17T21:28:17.914-07:00Kirk...that program was called "Good Morning,...Kirk...that program was called "Good Morning, Mr. President" and rain on Showtime. The main plot involved the press corps dealing with a sudden closemouthed display by the President, as a result turning to their inside source...a White House secretary who would share anything--after aggressive coital activity (the male reporters took turns no one man had to endure too much).<br /><br />Let me know and I can numerous bits of dialogue.Paul Ducanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30236891402983151062011-10-17T21:07:54.655-07:002011-10-17T21:07:54.655-07:00Within five years of Ken's 1980 pilot sale to ...Within five years of Ken's 1980 pilot sale to ABC, the network aired a sitcom about a female president (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_to_the_Chief_%28TV_series%29" rel="nofollow">Hail to the Chief</a>, starring Patty Duke), and within seven Fox aired another (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._President_%28TV_series%29" rel="nofollow">Mr. President</a>) with George C. Scott as the chief executive.Yeechang Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01745943718978763859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72311090970980871532011-10-17T19:11:06.895-07:002011-10-17T19:11:06.895-07:00But not seeing him, just hearing his voice, worked...But not seeing him, just hearing his voice, worked so well on CHARLIE'S ANGELS. Which was an ABC show.<br /><br />Maybe if the press corps had been staffed entirely beautiful women and David Doyle was the press secretary? They would solve crimes in-between press conferences. Being reporters were their "cover."<br /><br />Now that would have sold.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753360146107174303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9330930804116638642011-10-17T17:07:43.694-07:002011-10-17T17:07:43.694-07:00I have a couple of Friday questions, neither of wh...I have a couple of Friday questions, neither of which may actually be answerable, but I'll try asking anyway:<br /><br />I was reading about The Golden Girls earlier today, and I remember its off-shoot (when Bea Arthur decided she'd had enough): The Golden Palace. The same creator of the original show, Susan Harris, helmed the spin-off and apparently the cast just wanted to keep playing the same characters... So why did "they" (whoever they are) alter the characters so much? Rose was made less dumb, Blanche was made less vain, Sophia less biting.<br /><br />It seems to me that a show works or fails on its character dynamics, so why risk changing the more of the formula than you need to? In a new show with three of the four main characters already loved by an audience, why risk changing them?<br /><br />The same goes for Joey: Matt Leblanc's character was barely recognizable from his Friends incarnation. I suppose in that case, having a largely 2D character trying to carry dramatic weight would have been very difficult, so they made him more rounded. But still, given how much people loved Joey in Friends, why not try and surround Leblanc with a strong ensemble, so that his character could have remained more intact?<br /><br />I'm basically just wondering why spin-offs often lead to characters changing so much... When in shows like Cheers and MASH, new characters appearing didn't alter the existing cast THAT much.<br /><br />Which leads into my second impossible to easily answer question: How do you go about coming up with a new premise for a sitcom?<br /><br />I've been trying to get something together with a friend of mine, and (of course) you're immediately struck by the endless possibilities. Even when you've come up with a setup which you think will lead to a lot of interesting situations, there's still populating that world with characters.<br /><br />(I've noticed that a very common setup in British sitcoms is the two male protagonists who are opposites, forced to spend time together... Usually written by two male writers.)<br /><br />When you and David tried to create new shows, what steps did you go through? I was reading an interview with British producer John Lloyd (of Blackadder and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fame), and he said he always approached new projects like this: What wasn't being shown that he'd like to see. Then, what feeling the should the show have.<br /><br />I'm sure the bit that nobody talks about is the painful, banging your head against the wall, trying to find the right situation and characters until it finally clicks. But did you have any steps that you and David went through?Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23270064208983208062011-10-17T16:36:14.640-07:002011-10-17T16:36:14.640-07:00if all you could have done with the "Presiden...if all you could have done with the "President" was to have a voiceover, had you considered using a woman's voice? imagine the notes you would have received in 1980 for a woman president.<br /><br />but the restrictions sound like what CHEERS would have been without showing beer or being able to talk to Sam, Coach, and Woody (bartenders).DyHrdMEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07621011643939597497noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20843775616256941002011-10-17T14:26:16.643-07:002011-10-17T14:26:16.643-07:00Thanks, Ken. I remember it being pretty funny.Thanks, Ken. I remember it being pretty funny.Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82423120296450159282011-10-17T14:16:40.185-07:002011-10-17T14:16:40.185-07:00Kirk,
Well aware of that. There's a story be...Kirk,<br /><br />Well aware of that. There's a story behind that. It's an offshoot of our pilot once we left Lorimar. Two terrific writers were assigned it. Bob Ellison and Tom Whedon.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59154581778116823352011-10-17T13:48:51.736-07:002011-10-17T13:48:51.736-07:00I remember a one-shot sitcom that aired on HBO in ...I remember a one-shot sitcom that aired on HBO in 1983 or '84 about the White House Press Corps. I think it was called "One More question, Mr President", or something like that. The plot had something to do with a reporter having sex with an apparently unattractive woman (she was never seen) in order to get a scoop. Because it was HBO, the whole thing was racier than the typical network sitcom of that era (though maybe not now.) Does anyone else remember it?Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49975989513571133172011-10-17T13:31:33.546-07:002011-10-17T13:31:33.546-07:00I read a story once about a Marlee Matlin pilot th...I read a story once about a Marlee Matlin pilot that can't possibly be true...so it probably is. I forget the show and it's premise, but supposedly, one of the notes from the network was: Does she have to be deaf?Donaldnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67469891831397870022011-10-17T13:22:28.180-07:002011-10-17T13:22:28.180-07:00One question. Any thoughts on repitching it now? ...One question. Any thoughts on repitching it now? It actually sounds like an entertaining show. And I'm assuming the political censorship wouldn't occur, now. Or maybe just not take it to ABC, again.Tim W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16860726607106078491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80138706959278779492011-10-17T12:05:21.125-07:002011-10-17T12:05:21.125-07:00What springs to mind for me is this; Once you disc...What springs to mind for me is this; Once you discovered that the premise you came up with had very little relation to reality, was it ever considered to go forward with it anyway. I ask because there are no forensics labs in the real world that work anything like the forensic labs/batcaves we see on CSI, NCIS, Bones, et. al. Was it not wanting to lose the verisimilitude or just realizing you had written yourself into a corner.<br /><br />Also, the description of the pilot seems to me to be what eventually morphed into Benson, which seems to be the exact same show with a lead figure played as a buffoon without any political affiliation.Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02305616385992111197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3824388001625674282011-10-17T11:59:55.707-07:002011-10-17T11:59:55.707-07:00The British sitcom ‘Yes, Minister’ (and, later, ‘Y...The British sitcom ‘Yes, Minister’ (and, later, ‘Yes, Prime Minister’) followed the ups and downs of an MP (Minister of Parliament) but cleverly never mentioned which political party he belonged to or even the sex of the Prime Minister (this was during the time of Margaret Thatcher so would have identified the PM if ‘she’ or ‘her’ was ever mentioned).Andy Cooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45403419759231298362011-10-17T11:43:44.979-07:002011-10-17T11:43:44.979-07:00Asking gardeners and maids for gossip sounds like ...Asking gardeners and maids for gossip sounds like Greg Kettle from Hot Metal. A sitcom based on a scuzzy raincoated "journalist" looking a lot like Columbo only not so clean, appearing at 3rd story windows with a camera only to have a ladder-related accident and next appear covered in bandages like Harry Zimm _after_ the chat with Ray Bones.<br />It almost writes itself. I give you free license with the idea.Looseheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3288905902536897212011-10-17T11:36:07.582-07:002011-10-17T11:36:07.582-07:00Silent 'p' too.Silent 'p' too.Looseheadnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68449031083094924372011-10-17T09:54:40.007-07:002011-10-17T09:54:40.007-07:00Ha, James! I'm sure even that would have been ...Ha, James! I'm sure even that would have been too political as soon as they realized what you were doing :)<br /><br />Kind of scary just how censorious things were (are?). What where ABC's motivations? Research that showed their audience didn't want political comedy? Or concern that the sponsors didn't want to be associated with political comedy?<br /><br />I remember Joss Whedon saying that the only time the network got REALLY upset with them was when they created a fictional fast-food chain that showed a working environment that was exactly what you'd expect to find: Bored teenagers, a soulless corporation, and dubious meat products.<br /><br />Apparently the network was REALLY concerned about upsetting the sponsors.Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76094025424891479212011-10-17T09:41:02.489-07:002011-10-17T09:41:02.489-07:00Would've been pretty cool had they agreed to p...Would've been pretty cool had they agreed to pictures of your Pop as the Prez, though, eh?tbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25759609695606955532011-10-17T09:39:33.442-07:002011-10-17T09:39:33.442-07:00Ken, you should forward this to Kevin Reilly and h...Ken, you should forward this to Kevin Reilly and his counterparts, so the next time they openly complain about dwindling viewership and/or the poor quality of the programming, it just might inspire them to look in the mirror.<br /><br />WV--"thidsm": Worship of the very obscure god Thid.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85140313771081864612011-10-17T09:21:46.163-07:002011-10-17T09:21:46.163-07:00I actually think they may have inadvertently made ...I actually think they may have inadvertently made it funnier.<br /><br />A President who refuses to acknowledge his political agenda and constantly talks about fishing, bowling, and that tight dress on the chick from channel 7 any time someone wants to debate issues with him.<br /><br />Comic gold :pJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16897402622057966364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29457334431110260422011-10-17T09:07:52.142-07:002011-10-17T09:07:52.142-07:00That's crazy. It shows what a stifling and cen...That's crazy. It shows what a stifling and censorious environment it must have been back then. <br />It doesn't seem that long ago, but culturally I guess it's light years away, when you think of the Clinton gags on The Simpsons, or shows like "That's My Bush!"Macnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70714146416237741212011-10-17T07:52:37.237-07:002011-10-17T07:52:37.237-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.com