tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post2837851640893999474..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Judge Judy, NFL stars, and other actorsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75058329499872244722012-12-27T12:29:01.686-08:002012-12-27T12:29:01.686-08:00FRIDAY QUESTION:
I often enjoy watching seasonal ...FRIDAY QUESTION:<br /><br />I often enjoy watching seasonal episodes of my favorite shows around the holidays: Thanksgiving morning, I watched TV's greatest food fight on CHEERS. Christmas week, I watched the Christmas episode of CHEERS. But... for New Year's... nothing.<br /><br />Now, I realize New Year's is a tough holiday. There usually aren't any other episodes that year after the Christmas one, so a show can either do one or the other (both tends to be rare) and usually goes with Christmas. One notable exception is the New Year's "routine" episode of FRIENDS, which is one of my favorites.<br /><br />But no New Year's episode for CHEERS? A show set in a bar? A show that has the ideal setting for a New Year's episode. (Even the Thanksgiving episode required moving the majority of the action from the bar).<br /><br />So, my question: Was a New Year's episode ever considered? It could also be possible that I am forgetting one but I checked again and can find no evidence of it.Stephen Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03670422634319094941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16829261544874084362012-12-23T14:00:40.271-08:002012-12-23T14:00:40.271-08:00Your trouble with the sketch structure was recogni...Your trouble with the sketch structure was recognized and battled by a certain British troupe in just finishing the bit: by jumping into an animation linking to the next sketch, announcing on stage the sketch was boring or silly, or just cutting to a host at a desk, announcing: "And now for something completely different...'.<br />Strange that post-Python most sketch shows returned to neat but mostly lame-ass punchlines.Nick from Hamburgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61804313493895159042012-12-23T05:25:11.913-08:002012-12-23T05:25:11.913-08:00I am a long time radio host. Radio does not do dep...I am a long time radio host. Radio does not do depth well. We do short bursts of emotion well. Conservatives tend to offer simple, emotional solutions ("lock the guilty bastards up" "guns don't kill people") which work well in the emotional mileau of radio.<br /><br />Liberals tend to view the world as complicated ("yes, he's guilty but he comes from poor parenting and perhaps we should forgive" "what kind of guns should we outlaw") which don't work well in the short form of radio.<br />Dave Scharfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15634065562686415414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89203858241892211862012-12-22T21:43:26.596-08:002012-12-22T21:43:26.596-08:00Little political note:
A favorite soundbite for ...Little political note: <br /><br />A favorite soundbite for me was Ryan explaining he found Rand's philosophy abhorrent -- he was merely a great admirer of "Atlas Shugged" and was influenced by it.<br /><br />That's a little like saying you hate Hitler and the Nazis, but "Mein Kempf" is your favorite inspirational book.DBensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82046471819003059012012-12-22T20:56:32.564-08:002012-12-22T20:56:32.564-08:00I was watching my DVDs of the criminally under-app...I was watching my DVDs of the criminally under-appreciated Room 222 and lo and behold, I saw Larry Linville in a guest role as a weasel academic counselor for a football factory. (The ep was about the recruitment of a stud RB from Whitman High.)<br /><br />Gene Reynolds was the producer. Micro q: did this role serve to get Larry the Frank Burns' role? Macro q: Have you remembered certain actors from guest roles and written for them in future pilots? I'm not referring to obvious spinoffs like Frasier.Ed from SFVnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82381858117389923612012-12-22T16:16:13.959-08:002012-12-22T16:16:13.959-08:00ChicagoJohn said...
"Fox News is poised to b...ChicagoJohn said...<br /><br />"Fox News is poised to be the most-watched cable news channel for the eleventh year in a row, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers. It also took the top eleven programs of the year, with "The O'Reilly Factor" leading the way. "<br /><br />Fox "News" is for all intents and purposes a propaganda machine for the Right. It peddles half-truths and misinformation and presents a carefully constructed version of reality for its viewers - who appear to tune in specifically to have their prejudices and fears confirmed. A number of recent studies have shown that Fox viewers are the "least informed" on the major news stories of the day (of course - they must be Leftist studies, paid for by Obama's 'posse'). In terms of ratings, I guess you could call that a success of sorts; in terms of journalism it's a disgrace.<br /><br />In agreement with Ken, I can think of three "rational and measured" progressive voices on talk radio: Stephanie Miller (the daughter of William Miller, Goldwater's running mate in '64 and raised a Republican as mentioned in Ken's book "The ME Generation"), who manages to be funny, entertaining, and informative at the same time; Randi Rhodes, who challenges her listeners to fact-check everything she says for themselves; and Thom Hartman, who epitomizes fair and balanced.RCPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251247613686669877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27535271573950784022012-12-22T15:05:35.022-08:002012-12-22T15:05:35.022-08:00"donald said...
Oh, and in what ways was Ayn ...<i>"donald said...<br />Oh, and in what ways was Ayn Rand rejected?<br /><br />Her philosophy has not been put on a ballot. <br /><br />Mitt Romney was no Ayn Rand believer."</i><br /><br />Perhaps not, but the Republican platform he ran on was pure Ayn Rand. Oh, and let's not forget Rommney's running mate, a major Randroid. His sick enthusiasm for Objectivism (So named because it is so objectionable?) certainly aided Obama's re-election. The election was indeed America rejecting the putrid, selfish, sick philosophies of that insane, evil woman.<br /><br />And how can you call George Bush a "Marxist shithead"? I'll grant you "shithead." And you <i><b>MUST</b></i> mean Bush, who bought two elections he lost. You can't mean Obama, who is not a Marxist and not a "shithead." Anyone who actually believes Obama "bought" two elections is flat-out insane. Do we have to go over how massively the Republicans outspent the Democrats?<br /><br /><i>"I don't demonize the opposite thought"</i><br /><br />Let' see, Donald (Last name? Mine is McEwan), you called the president a "Marxist Shithead," you called we liberals "fuckers," and you called our government "tyranical." Boy, if that's not "demonizing" the opposite thought, I'd hate to see what you say when you <i><b>DO</b></i> demonize someone.<br /><br /><i>"I've always noticed that those bleating about the other guy and taking his stuff are pussies who would never do it on their own. Cause their pussies."</i> <br /><br />Oh puh-leaze, Ayn Rand's whole life was spent bleating about the commies taking her stuff. Her philosophy of selfishness was all built on not letting anyone take what she felt was hers again. So I guess you're calling her and her followers "pussies."<br /><br />I'm confused, was it Apple or Jesus who is responsible for your typos? As my dad often said: "'Tis a poor workman who blames his tools." (And Ms Rand was an atheist, the only thing she ever got right, so I don't think she'd like hearing you citing Jesus. (One of the lovely hypocrisies of the current right-wing is the way they're all super-religious yet also worship at the alter of atheist Ayn Rand. They pick and choose, taking her selfishness but leaving behind her atheism.)<br /><br />You are a true Randriod, Donnie. What a bitter, pathetic creature you are. Go enjoy your unreadaable Randriid books and her sick, selfish philosophy. You are sitting on the ashheap of history where you belong.<br /><br />Thanks, Yekimi. I've been out of the union for about 16 years now, and for the life of me could not remember if the unions had ever merged or not. They almost did so many, many times. So they waited to finally do it when it would no longer help me. [Sigh]Douglas McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20090498483820081402012-12-22T11:34:54.365-08:002012-12-22T11:34:54.365-08:00@ D. McEwan: As her show is shot on video, wouldn&...@ D. McEwan: As her show is shot on video, wouldn't she have to join AFTRA rather than SAG?<br /><br />AFTRA is no longer a separate union; they merged and it's now SAG-AFTRA. YEKIMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01921751875397071034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31783985366953148842012-12-22T10:03:56.174-08:002012-12-22T10:03:56.174-08:00First of all the big 3 networks are hardly what yo...First of all the big 3 networks are hardly what you would call liberal. They are in it to make money. While some of the newscasters mentioned above may be considered liberal, they were not pundits per se. While Fox news is certainly conservative, Murdoch runs shows that I am sure conservatives deplore. <br /><br />I never listened to air america. I do listen to Thom Hartman once in a while. You can hardly call him the left equivilant of Limbaugh or Hannity. There is no one on the left that you could all the opposite of such people like Ann Coulter or Michelle Malkin who are really deranged.sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77726880053168226832012-12-22T09:35:33.079-08:002012-12-22T09:35:33.079-08:00Measured and rational. I remember when Ed Schultz...Measured and rational. I remember when Ed Schultz was on radio, I guess it was Air America. He pretended he didn't understand what his caller was saying when they said it was a great betrayal for John Kerry to endorse Ed's boy Barack Obama since Bill had campaigned for Kerry days after heart surgery.<br /><br />And do you have any numbers to back up your claim of declining ratings for talk radio?Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66905013778071465742012-12-22T09:31:42.999-08:002012-12-22T09:31:42.999-08:00You've missed the real reason why liberal talk...You've missed the real reason why liberal talk show hosts are not as popular. Sure they are not as entertaining, but also they are not the primary outlet for liberals. Liberals already had Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, and Peter Jennings, as well as CNN, PBS, and NPR. Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17637944919356595362012-12-22T07:44:28.554-08:002012-12-22T07:44:28.554-08:00Jesus. They're.Jesus. They're. donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03336032631356999367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88195209362187694962012-12-22T07:43:40.536-08:002012-12-22T07:43:40.536-08:00As for the spelling and stuff I blame Apple.
Thi...As for the spelling and stuff I blame Apple. <br /><br />This is a great site and I've been reading it for a while. <br /><br />I won't comment on politics again, but Lete just say that in my life, I've always noticed that those bleating about the other guy and taking his stuff are pussies who would never do it on their own. Cause their pussies. donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03336032631356999367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14611385733443031792012-12-22T07:38:50.276-08:002012-12-22T07:38:50.276-08:00Oh, and in what ways was Ayn Rand rejected?
Her p...Oh, and in what ways was Ayn Rand rejected?<br /><br />Her philosophy has not been put on a ballot. <br /><br />Mitt Romney was no Ayn Rand believer. He was a middle of the road problem solver. A man with a proven record of competence as opposed to some Marxist a shithead who bought his way into two presidencies. <br /><br />It took a billion fucking dollars to portray him as something he was not ands sauce vote fraud. <br /><br />Here's what's wrong with you fuckers. There are two basic governing philosophies on this country. One thinks we should have a basic federal government that defers most power to the states. The other wants a strong federal that dictates to the states. <br /><br />You, who favors federal control demonize those citizens that bothere to read the constitution and the The Federalist Papers. I don't demonize the opposite thought, but I have a duty as an educated citizen to oppose you with all force because our government is tyrannical, and has been for a while now. <br /><br />My name is Donald. donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03336032631356999367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58886819579104500412012-12-22T06:49:39.943-08:002012-12-22T06:49:39.943-08:00I read that piece of Garbage and ended up starting...I read that piece of Garbage and ended up starting 2two companies that still exist and became better person all around. <br /><br />But I don't look at the next guy and think that asshole needs to give their property to me, so I think I'll get the government to take it from him at the point of a gun. donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03336032631356999367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7038499663021262072012-12-22T02:33:12.730-08:002012-12-22T02:33:12.730-08:00Liggie--It was the Emerald Queen, but the adventur...Liggie--It was the Emerald Queen, but the adventure isn't over. Six hours later the same kid calls to say the car was impounded and the driver/boyfriend was arrested for a DUI. I'm sure that casino money won't have a chance to grow mouldy in my bank account.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1975883016231421262012-12-21T22:17:08.367-08:002012-12-21T22:17:08.367-08:00BTW, I remember that Tracey Ullman show on the new...BTW, I remember that Tracey Ullman show on the new Fox Network; quite unusual material, and it birthed The Simpsons. Would love to see it on DVD, but I'm guessing music rights (she sang a lot there) are a stumbling block.Liggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-48106700160696849432012-12-21T22:14:08.496-08:002012-12-21T22:14:08.496-08:00Cap'n Bob, think of it this way: You left the...Cap'n Bob, think of it this way: You left the Muckleshoot (?) Casino with $300 more than you walked in with, despite your daughter's car issue. I think I'm trying just to get into the black with them in over a decade of visits.<br /><br />I asked about talk radio because while fiddling around on the dial one late drive home, I heard one host/podcaster (Norman something, I think; he's a liberal) say how radio ownership consolidation means very few formats now. On AM, it's news/talk and sports; on FM, it's country, Top 40 and classic rock. He now ventures that Rush's latest antics is creating an advertising backlash hurting the news/talk format. Sounds very plausible, and unfortunate; I'm still mourning how KMTT Seattle switched from adult alternative to classic rock/hits. Liggienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25064112078746087382012-12-21T20:31:35.503-08:002012-12-21T20:31:35.503-08:00Thanks for taking my question, Ken.
I listened t...Thanks for taking my question, Ken. <br /><br />I listened to talk radio a lot at one time, and still do on occasion, and found the one liberal host available (forget the name, but it was a female) just as idiotic as the Limbaughs of the world. <br /><br />Irony: earlier today I won $574.50 on a slot machine. I'd no sooner walked 50 feet away when my older daughter calls and says her car is broken. We got it to a shop and had it fixed, and I had to lay out $240. Talk about short-lived joy. I suppose I could be thankful the repair bill was underwritten by the Puyallup Tribe, but I'd be happier if I could have kept it all.<br />Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66579156372771600642012-12-21T19:40:24.175-08:002012-12-21T19:40:24.175-08:00"John Galt said...
"Most liberal talk sh...<i>"John Galt said...<br />"Most liberal talk show hosts I know are rational and measured."<br /><br />Since you obviously believe that, you would be a perfect candidate to purchase a bridge between Manhattan and Brooklyn."</i><br /><br />My. an insult from a fictional character from the most-deranged, unreadable piece of garbage right-wing fiction ever written with feces on 1000 unhappy pages. Obviously, "John Galt" is the one selling that bridge. After all, honest people use their real names. Cowards hide behind the names of fictional characters. But then, a month and a half after America went to the ballot box and rejected the policies and philosophies of the delusional, egomaniacal, sick-o Ayn Rand quite overwhelmingly, I could see why a devoted Randriod wouldn't have the balls to sign his or her own name.<br /><br />Re: Judge Judy. As her show is shot on video, wouldn't she have to join AFTRA rather than SAG? I've been on video taped shows like <i>Superior Court</i> and <i>The Dating Game</i>, and I was a member of AFTRA for 40 years. Never been a member of SAG. (Did <i>The Dating Game</i> and <i>The Gong Show</i> for AFTRA minimum plus winnings. Barris was willing to pay for professionally-amusing talent.) Or am I missing something? Probably. Been out of the union for a few years now.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77812942816401045642012-12-21T17:44:15.290-08:002012-12-21T17:44:15.290-08:00Ken,
I think that you're a brilliant comedy w...Ken,<br /><br />I think that you're a brilliant comedy writer. But whenever you venture into politics, you couldn't sound more wrong.<br /><br />Talk radio leans right because television was already owned by the left. You know this, I presume.<br /><br />Rush Limbaugh's show took off because it was one of the only places in the media where someone was regularly lampooning the left.<br /><br />If its suffering at all, its suffering as a result of its own success. Success bring imitators. Look at an early show of Limbaugh's television show, and compare it to the Daily Show. There's a 1:1 comparison.<br /><br />Someone else suggested that Fox News is "also suffering."<br /><br /><i>"Fox News is poised to be the most-watched cable news channel for the eleventh year in a row, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers. It also took the top eleven programs of the year, with "The O'Reilly Factor" leading the way. "</i><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/cable-news-ratings-2012_n_2300780.html<br /><br />Yeah. Right.<br />ChicagoJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15963409952606722977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58998724005135619982012-12-21T17:26:54.271-08:002012-12-21T17:26:54.271-08:00When I thin reasoned I think Randy Rhodes, Mike Ma...When I thin reasoned I think Randy Rhodes, Mike Malloy, and Al Frankenstein <br /><br />Autocorrect for Al. Awesome. <br /><br /><br />donaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03336032631356999367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66184861677082710202012-12-21T17:07:38.736-08:002012-12-21T17:07:38.736-08:00Why should you have to be forced to join a union t...Why should you have to be forced to join a union to do a certain job?Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65250077781439291032012-12-21T17:06:06.612-08:002012-12-21T17:06:06.612-08:00The reason liberal talk radio fails is because the...The reason liberal talk radio fails is because the liberal audience tends to have productive jobs and can't listen to the radio all day. Conservative radio succeeds because its audience is unemployed or minimally employed and has time to listen to idiots reinforce their beliefsMr. First Nighternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31661666833574758492012-12-21T15:35:36.598-08:002012-12-21T15:35:36.598-08:00Here's something that's come to my mind: i...Here's something that's come to my mind: it seems like most TV series today have, like, umpteen different producers, executive producers, supervising producers, line producers (whatever those are), among other kinds of producers... and I'm just wondering, do TV shows really need THAT many producers? Can they really not get by with just a producer, executive producer, and an associate producer? Plus, during the main titles of most shows, you've got several "Producers", followed by a "Produced By" credit... what's the difference between "Producer" and "Produced By"?Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.com