tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2557812728796407363..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Friday QuestionsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47467561337448613712020-05-11T06:46:39.522-07:002020-05-11T06:46:39.522-07:00Friday Question: What do you think about this curr...Friday Question: What do you think about this current reboot\revival trend? It's a very polarizing issue with some actually liking these shows while more seem to despise and ridicule them. Personally if I want to watch Magnum, PI I will watch Hallmark Movies and Mysteries or if I want to watch Roseanne I will watch it on Tv Land etc. Same goes for the Norman Lear live show things. Woody Harrelson as Archie Bunker imo was a tragedy and I really like Woody. Kendall Rivershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16401646799797849078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51632463688382602082020-05-09T17:10:08.805-07:002020-05-09T17:10:08.805-07:00Thanks for answering my question, Ken!
You're...Thanks for answering my question, Ken!<br /><br />You're right, it's going to be very interesting to watch.<br /><br />Studios are also going to have more decisions to make about their releases.<br />Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16136856533329478197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11644263603526723032020-05-09T10:17:55.460-07:002020-05-09T10:17:55.460-07:00Best thing I can say about Vin Scully is I don’t c...Best thing I can say about Vin Scully is I don’t care at all about the Dodgers and I’ve watched a million Dodger games over the years, ONLY because of him. <br />Also haven’t watched one since he retired.<br />Can’t imagine that ever happening with any other broadcaster.cd1515https://www.blogger.com/profile/13442641020639066876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57430482485240771332020-05-09T10:16:29.081-07:002020-05-09T10:16:29.081-07:00This is not so much a Friday Question as it is a s...This is not so much a Friday Question as it is a suggestion:<br /><br />I'm returning to an ongoing hangup of mine, <i>The Edge Of Night</i>, the best daytime drama (OK,<i>soap</i>, if you insist) ever.<br /><br />The Decades channel is rerunning <i>Dark Shadows</i> nightly, in original broadcast order; for 50+ years old, the shows don't look bad at all.<br /><br />Over at YouTube, some folks have found <i>Edge Of Night</i> shows from 1979-1984, more or less complete; apparently Proctor & Gamble has preserved them pretty well.<br /><br />As a test, I'd like some of you to check out some <i>Edge</i> episodes - specifically three eps from 1983: Thursday October 20, Friday October 21, and Monday October 24.<br /><br />Actually, Ken, I'd like for <i>you</i> to watch these three shows - for their story content, of course, but also because some very interesting people turn up in the cast (no spoilers - you need to see for yourself). <br /><br /><i>Edge Of Night</i> was only a half-hour, and the YouTube posts mostly edit out the commercials, so watching these comes to less than a movie-of-the-week, under an hour and a half.<br /><br />All I ask is that you (<i>any</i> of you) just watch these shows, to see if you think that <i>Edge Of Night</i> might be useful as a placeholder on some station that needs one for nightly use. <br /><br />Who knows - you might actually <i>enjoy</i> what you see …Mike Doranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427528138598549103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-32874586302259926902020-05-09T07:21:02.115-07:002020-05-09T07:21:02.115-07:00Ken,
I think that I'm preaching to the choir h...Ken,<br />I think that I'm preaching to the choir here but it pisses me off when people have to justify or explain why they were watching a sitcom on network TV. It happened here last Friday when a reader felt obligated to explain to you why he watched "Bob Loves Abisohla" while waiting for a prestige drama to start. Bob is a funny show with heart that gives insight to a culture that isn't shown on network TV so no excuse is necessary! This extends to critics and the Emmy voters who ignore these shows.<br />bmfc1https://www.blogger.com/profile/17416188158730495359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10898976073905561352020-05-09T00:56:13.325-07:002020-05-09T00:56:13.325-07:00Blinky
Carter hasn't been cast since they got...Blinky<br /><br />Carter hasn't been cast since they got divorced. Troy McClurenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64899474078444485252020-05-08T18:47:49.107-07:002020-05-08T18:47:49.107-07:00Being a lifelong fan of M*A*S*H I've noticed t...Being a lifelong fan of M*A*S*H I've noticed that Hawkeye shared some of the same characteristics as Groucho Marx. Was this by design from the creators and writers, or was it happenstance? How much of a say did the actors have in the characteristics of the in their roles?<br /><br />I'll hang up and listen. Thanks!Jim Amatonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48288990012304835572020-05-08T14:33:06.623-07:002020-05-08T14:33:06.623-07:00Director that almost exclusively used his pals: Ti...Director that almost exclusively used his pals: Tim Burton. Johnny Depp and Helen Bonham Carter are in a;most ever one of his movies.blinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04284135060900752329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68563643999319132302020-05-08T14:28:18.596-07:002020-05-08T14:28:18.596-07:00Any empty baseball stadium meme/punchline has to l...Any empty baseball stadium meme/punchline has to lead off with the Marlins.Saburohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00075733019914312218noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43032625865103611352020-05-08T14:08:06.900-07:002020-05-08T14:08:06.900-07:00Given the prevalence of them at the moment, I'...Given the prevalence of them at the moment, I'm wondering if any network will get desperate enough to do a series consisting for the duration solely of table readings of scripts?<br /><br />And on hearing that, I believe, Blindspot will finish it's last episode via animation, I'm wondering if any show has considered using animation for love and fight scenes (or any scenes normally requiring close physical proximity).? <br />Tom Gallowaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81976004717517413782020-05-08T14:04:52.844-07:002020-05-08T14:04:52.844-07:00Hector Elizondo appeared in every movie (17 in all...Hector Elizondo appeared in every movie (17 in all) directed by Garry Marshall, from "Young Doctors in Love" (1982) to "Mother's Day" (2016).<br /><br />George Wyner was in six Steven Bochco series, as well as multiple MTM shows.71dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49478827671108181662020-05-08T14:02:45.443-07:002020-05-08T14:02:45.443-07:00The wonderful Wendie Malick has guested on "M...The wonderful Wendie Malick has guested on "Mom" (as Adam's ex) and "Bob [Hearts] Abishola" (which I'm thrilled was renewed) as a society friend of Bob's mother. Matt Jones also has both Lorre series on his resume, in the goofball supporting roles he does so well. VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10003972293598097892020-05-08T13:58:01.653-07:002020-05-08T13:58:01.653-07:00Vin Scully was *great* with Joe Garigiola. Garigi...Vin Scully was *great* with Joe Garigiola. Garigiola was great when he was with Scully, and good, but not great, with others.<br /><br />One of Scully's other under-appreciated talents was getting out of the way. Sure, Vin knew baseball as good or better than someone in the next seat, but he would tirelessly and beautifully set his partner up to perform, every time. There are other hosts like this, who don't mind when the spotlight moves, or who like it when other's shine. Vin was one of the best.Nick Jonas Fanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17701697121395662469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84767220716612831782020-05-08T13:46:51.995-07:002020-05-08T13:46:51.995-07:00I'm so old I remember Vernee Watson from Welco...I'm so old I remember Vernee Watson from Welcome Back,Kotter! Janice B.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80845761804606283672020-05-08T12:32:16.424-07:002020-05-08T12:32:16.424-07:00Unkystan: I know! The number of times Vermee Watso...Unkystan: I know! The number of times Vermee Watson has played a nurse on Lorre shows is amazing. I was really glad for her that she got to be a cast regular on BHA.<br /><br />On MOM, Mimi Kennedy is not just a returning guest star, but a returning *regular* - she was Dharma's mom on DHARMA AND GREG. <br /><br />Can you really fault Lorre for reusing these actors? The list includes Laurie Metcalfe, Johnny Galecki, and Sara Gilbert (Lorre started in sitcoms on ROSEANNE), Christine Baranski (CYBILL), Kathy Bates (TWO AND A HALF MEN, DISJOINTED, BIG BANG THEORY), Teller (DHARMA AND GREG, BIG BANG THEORY), Casey Sander (GRACE UNDER FIRE, BIG BANG THEORY), William Fichtner (now on MOM, and I see he was on GRACE UNDER FIRE, too), Nicole Sullivan (DISJOINTED, BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA)...and Jon Cryer made an appearance on MOM recently.<br /><br />I mean, really, which one would you kick off a stage?<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59832287993194585272020-05-08T12:24:28.888-07:002020-05-08T12:24:28.888-07:00I don't know Lorre's "stock players&q...I don't know Lorre's "stock players" background but I noticed on MOM there were two actors from THIRD ROCK and two from MY NAME IS EARL.Lemuelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14878508447121137192020-05-08T12:15:24.311-07:002020-05-08T12:15:24.311-07:00Talk about stock companies .. Jack Webb repeatedly...Talk about stock companies .. Jack Webb repeatedly used the same group of actors and actresses throughout all the TV runs of "Dragnet". Episode after episode, you'd see the same players -- sometimes as cops, sometimes as crooks. But their performances always fit the story. In fact, I recently watched a 1953 Dragnet epsiode I hadn't seen before, and discovered he completely recycled the story for a 1968 episode, using the same actors and the same dialogue!Steve Weednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70796709179154609622020-05-08T11:53:35.095-07:002020-05-08T11:53:35.095-07:00It's a funny coincidence that I was going to a...It's a funny coincidence that I was going to ask a question about casting similar to Jim S's. Yet, it's different enough that I'll ask it anyway.<br /><br />Over the years I've noticed that some new sitcoms throw together casts of well known actor's from other shows. (You would often see them listed in the TV GUIDE, Fall Preview Issue) Ironically, these shows usually aren't very good and don't last long. Even though it seem counter intuitive, all these "stars" didn't seem to benefit these sitcoms. <br />FRIDAY QUESTION: What is the thinking behind this kind of casting choice? Is it to try to compensate for a weak premise and/or poor writing? Is it the idea that if they liked the actors in other shows they'll like them here? Is it because the networks demand these stars because they don't have confidence in the pilot they okayed? It's strange, but good or popular actors don't always mean good chemistry. I'm not singling out sitcoms. Movies do it too.<br /><br />James Cameron and Paul Verhoeven are also well known for using the same actors over and over.<br /><br />M.B.Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15248389531516818422020-05-08T11:34:19.196-07:002020-05-08T11:34:19.196-07:00The upside of the COVID-19 shutdown is that I am a...The upside of the COVID-19 shutdown is that I am able to finally get to the podcasts. I'm doing so in order, and just finished #33, your conversation with partner David Isaacs. In it you describe how you transitioned to dictation of scripts using a writing assistant. My (Friday) question (with apologies if a subsequent podcast covered the matter): have you further transitioned to using automated voice recognition transcription? My iPhone provides me with transcriptions of voicemail messages. The differences between what I read and what I hear when I listen to the message can be startling. And if you continue to use a human to transcribe, is that person permitted to interrupt with questions for clarifications? Does the person ever dare to offer suggestions, alternatives, solutions, etc.?Rick Hannonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47603976000929184142020-05-08T11:11:18.626-07:002020-05-08T11:11:18.626-07:00Mr. Alfenito raises a good point, but Vin didn'...Mr. Alfenito raises a good point, but Vin didn't do all nine innings for most of his career. When Jerry or Ross did the 3rd and 7th, Vin was off the air; they were off the air for his innings. And so it went when Vin broke in with Red Barber and Connie Desmond, and when Don Drysdale and then Rick Monday and finally Charley Steiner arrived.<br /><br />A story about that, told by Ross. Don was new to the team and told Ross that he was used to talking with the other announcer on the air, and would Ross be ok with that? Sure, Ross said. Ross introduced Don for the first inning of their first spring training game together, Don started off, then said something to Ross, who responded. They chatted a bit during the first half inning. When they went to commercial, the phone rang in the booth. It was Peter O'Malley telling them to shut Ross' mike while Don was on the air. After the game, Don went to Peter--they'd known each other forever--and asked why. Peter said, we don't have two on the air at the same time. Don said that 25 other teams did that. Peter said, yes, but we don't.<br /><br />Vin did the NFL for seven seasons on CBS and worked with about eight different analysts. The story that Terry O'Neil, who was the executive producer in his final season, told was that CBS had agreed John Madden would be the lead analyst, and Vin and Pat Summerall would each do four games with him to determine who would do the Super Bowl. After the eighth game, O'Neil and the top staff met, and everybody, with the exception of the division president, voted for Summerall. He then called Vin to tell him the "exciting" news that he would be doing the NFC Championship, and Vin basically hanged up on him--and O'Neil said he will always regret making that phone call and saying it the way he did. But his argument was that Scully and Madden both liked to talk, so there was no breathing room, while Summerall took the Ray Scott approach of saying as little as possible, which helped Madden. Maybe. But if you check out You Tube for Vin's football broadcasts, or have watched the classic reruns of NBC games recently, he talked much more than most play-by-play men do now, and more's the pity that they don't talk more.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01998867386294693956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63151698433393099022020-05-08T11:06:49.816-07:002020-05-08T11:06:49.816-07:00@ Curt Alliaume
if Ron Santo did the game solo you...@ Curt Alliaume<br />if Ron Santo did the game solo you wouldn't know what was going on.<br />You might not even know what sport it was.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7865049827620662372020-05-08T10:54:13.703-07:002020-05-08T10:54:13.703-07:00What about reruns? When I grew up, summer was jus...What about reruns? When I grew up, summer was just full of reruns, we can catch up on the episodes we missed during the season. Of course, this was before VCRs. And if anyone wants to watch a rerun of Mom, there are 3 places to stream it.<br />But if memory stands true, there were a few shows that the reruns saved them from cancelation.<br />Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880646894752760905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42493864761822165772020-05-08T10:09:18.027-07:002020-05-08T10:09:18.027-07:00Why *not* go to a proven actor you've worked w...Why *not* go to a proven actor you've worked with before, and who you know will deliver the goods?<br /><br />Barney Miller had a stock company approach, and it worked very, very well. I think Philip Sterling popped up half-a-dozen times, never playing the same character twice!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45096394140924841442020-05-08T09:51:25.574-07:002020-05-08T09:51:25.574-07:00Ken, I'm sure lots of us are keen to hear what...Ken, I'm sure lots of us are keen to hear what you thought of the new Natalie Wood documentary on HBO.<br /><br />This review in The New Yorker says it's basically a glossed over PR job that tries to say there's nothing sinister about her death.<br /><br />https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-new-natalie-wood-documentary-doesnt-have-the-answersTroy McClurenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63654922829858720722020-05-08T09:11:55.726-07:002020-05-08T09:11:55.726-07:00I noticed on one ep of "Bob Hearts Abisola&qu...I noticed on one ep of "Bob Hearts Abisola", John Ratzenberger was a guest star as a date for Christine Ebersole's character. It seemed to imply he might be recurring if the show returns. I certainly hope so! tavmnoreply@blogger.com