tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post482401777020133045..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: MY BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE!By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14338000217961982092014-04-25T18:01:54.715-07:002014-04-25T18:01:54.715-07:00Hi Ken,
Thank you for telling good tales of the &...Hi Ken,<br /><br />Thank you for telling good tales of the '60s. I've recently come upon your book "The Me Generation" and thought I'd offer my memories of the valley and my radio work as well.<br /><br />I too grew up in Woodland Hills in the early '60s. Well almost. As a spoiled only child of the South Bay, the folks thought it important that I spend summers with the cousins for a dose of normal sibling adventures (and doubtless their own sanity). So for a few weeks each year (1960-64), I lived in the guest house with Jim (two years older) and Ken (two years younger)on Oxnard, just a few doors down from Fallbrook. <br /><br />Nearly every day we'd walk (barefoot-ouch!) on that hot street down to the corner to buy candy at Basso's Drug Store. In 2000 while on the way to a meeting in the area, I stopped in and sure enough Mr. Basso himself was still standing behind the counter. That knot in my stomach suddenly reappeared as it had when he scowled at us kids forty years before. I asked him how much for an Abba Zabba bar these days, and how much for the Marshettes? I then handed him five bucks, thanked him for still being around and turned to head for the door. Wait, he says, you forgot your candy. Nope, sorry I finished 'em off in August of '62.<br /><br />I also learned why the older cousin like getting haircuts so often. Right next door to Basso's was the barber shop (remember the "Balboa"? A flat top with side wings). But the real star of the show was the current selection of Playboy magazines. Enough to melt the Dixie Peach Pomade from a kid's scalp! I checked on Google Earth and both shops are indeed still there.<br /><br />When not swiping candy, we used to ride our bikes to the pet cemetery, and swam out back in Uncle Jim's pool, or next door at Willy's. Willy's dad was a Walter Lantz artist (Ray Abrams) and sometimes worked on Woody Woodpecker cells in the garage just over the hedge. So occasionally we'd stop by in our dripping swim trunks and basically get in the way. <br /><br />At thirteen I had my first driving lesson, in the circle driveway, when the adults were "out". That '61 Sprite could peel out great. However, the tell tale tires marks on the nice clean driveway got us busted!<br /><br />Thanks for including POP photo (Pacific Ocean Park)in the book and website! It was the first radio automation I'd seen in action. Up until then, it was just seeing a newscaster from KNX reading a magazine at a home show remote. I graduated from Don Martin Radio/TV school, on Cherokee and Hollywood Blvd, and began my career in Glendale in 1965, and still at it today. I've often thought there might be a book in some of the interesting interviews I've done over the years.<br /><br />Harry Morgan once offered to submit my material for consideration to the MASH writers, but I chickened out. Years later Stan Freberg scolded me for not doing it! stuff like that. What do ya think? Thanks for encouraging me to get started.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Steve Atkins<br />West Linn, Or<br />(email) studiob107@gmail.comSEAsrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09840453084985853091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26035697531478042812012-05-30T13:46:03.158-07:002012-05-30T13:46:03.158-07:00I wish I had been born 10 years earlier and seen t...I wish I had been born 10 years earlier and seen the conservative 1950s turn into the liberal 1960s/1970s. Instead, I saw the liberal 1960s/1970s turn into the conservative 1980s. Not the same thing.Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68203631699851148252012-05-30T13:13:14.137-07:002012-05-30T13:13:14.137-07:00Ken,
This is related to an old post I found where...Ken,<br /><br />This is related to an old post I found where you mentioned your Dad was station manager for WLS in '88.<br /><br />I was at WHFB in Benton Harbor, Mi at the time and listened to WLS all the time. <br /><br />One late night I was driving home from work and heard the WLS DJ say something like, "Whoever can tell me what today is wins the keys to a brand new Porsche. Not the car, just the keys." <br /><br />A few minutes later someone called in and correctly guessed that today was the first day of spring.<br /><br />The DJ joked about winning the keys, not the car, and that was the end of the gag.<br /><br />Until, a few days (weeks?) later I read in, I think, the Chicago Trib that the person who called in was a lawyer (or had a lawyer in the famil) and contacted the station threatening to sue for a "fradulent contest."<br /><br />IIRC, the station investigated, and decided it would be cheaper to buy the guy a Porsche (and fire the DJ) than fight the suit and any possible FCC action.<br /><br />The thing is, no one I tell this story to believes me and I can't find ANYTHING to document it.<br /><br />It would have been around 1987 to 1989, but I can't remember what year.<br /><br />Any chance your Dad might have any info or be able to ask around? I bet there's gotta be SOMEONE else who remembers this.<br /><br />Rob ReedRob Reednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79577843026520567232012-05-30T05:23:26.560-07:002012-05-30T05:23:26.560-07:00Friday question: So many great shows were shot on ...Friday question: So many great shows were shot on tape and now there's no possibility for an HD release.<br /><br />Who and when makes that decision and how does a show like Seinfeld get shot on film when they had one of the smallest budgets and the shortest order in American TV history? NBC obviously didn't wanna spend any money on it. Was Almost Perfect shot on film or was it tape? I can never tell.Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52082152922028258562012-05-30T02:13:29.180-07:002012-05-30T02:13:29.180-07:00Wow, its already out on the torrent sites, downloa...Wow, its already out on the torrent sites, downloadable as pdf for ibooks for free.<br />800 downloads so far.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Just kidding Ken...............LoLjangonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45418667872008793092012-05-29T23:55:45.906-07:002012-05-29T23:55:45.906-07:00I ordered it after your first warning. Guess I'...I ordered it after your first warning. Guess I'd better switch on the Kindle to let it download. But I thought it was $3.99.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68181089899032207422012-05-29T23:34:07.207-07:002012-05-29T23:34:07.207-07:00The Man From U.N.C.L.E.! Can't wait.The Man From U.N.C.L.E.! Can't wait.Frank Abehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13673713534990547166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-49433415693879283022012-05-29T23:33:19.218-07:002012-05-29T23:33:19.218-07:00Congrats Ken!!Congrats Ken!!xjillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-67141407662922521382012-05-29T22:37:31.865-07:002012-05-29T22:37:31.865-07:00Bought my copy today, good stuff so far!
Friday q...Bought my copy today, good stuff so far!<br /><br />Friday question: Why do so many sitcom sets have doors that swing in and out? Is it for cost, and time purposes, so the actors don't have to take a while to open and shut the doors if they're simply leaving a scene?Maheshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65695103147657274752012-05-29T22:31:17.116-07:002012-05-29T22:31:17.116-07:00I'm reading the book now in prep for my interv...I'm reading the book now in prep for my interview with Ken on June 13. Get it! If you're a baby boomer, there is so much here that you can identify with - from Ken's experiences in junior and senior high to getting his driver's license, first date...even going to school with Ann Jillian and Jan Smithers...OK, maybe we can only fantasize about THEM, but buy this book. You will love it!Stu Shostaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9322168678829347662012-05-29T20:32:35.730-07:002012-05-29T20:32:35.730-07:00Purchased!Purchased!Craig Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06037542638067599437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19905692771231992782012-05-29T20:27:02.137-07:002012-05-29T20:27:02.137-07:00I think there was a Twilight Zone episode a couple...I think there was a Twilight Zone episode a couple of nights ago from 1963 with Ann Jillian - did you know her at that time? I'll find out when I pick up the paperback. Looking forward to your take on the 60s, Ken!RCPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04251247613686669877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53642902003653035572012-05-29T19:56:20.997-07:002012-05-29T19:56:20.997-07:00Friday question: I have wondered for some time, wh...Friday question: I have wondered for some time, why if a team finished 80-82 last year do announcers say they finished last season 2 games under .500? There's a set number of games per season, so a .500 finish by definition is 81-81. You can't just win two more games to break even if you're at 80-82. So why wouldn't that record be ONE game under .500? An additional win would require one less loss. Baseball people are so stats-minded, I've always found this math an enigma.DBAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52088956934219202032012-05-29T16:09:48.605-07:002012-05-29T16:09:48.605-07:00Tennessee Williams once said to Gore Vidal that he...Tennessee Williams once said to Gore Vidal that he, Tennessee, had "missed" the entire decade of the 1960s. Gore replied: "Well, you didn't miss much."<br /><br />Can't wait for the paperback, but must, I am still a book Luddite. Will the hard copy price be the same?<br /><br />Tallulah has promised to plug it on her blog, but today is her birthday (115) so she's busy celebrating. That today is also my birthday, she is ignoring.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23760972422474737362012-05-29T15:56:47.205-07:002012-05-29T15:56:47.205-07:00hmm.. i'm torn between asking my wife to buy n...hmm.. i'm torn between asking my wife to buy now (since she's the one who has Kindle) or wait for the paperback.. arrgggh.. i guess i'll just wait for the paperback..Bryanhttp://www.insuranceleadservices.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65469423638154824522012-05-29T14:40:10.713-07:002012-05-29T14:40:10.713-07:00I will wait for the audiobook. I am a very patient...I will wait for the audiobook. I am a very patient man.Thomashttp://www.radicaldog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59921964210470042532012-05-29T14:26:07.459-07:002012-05-29T14:26:07.459-07:00Argh! You are going to force me to buy a Kindle.
I...Argh! You are going to force me to buy a Kindle.<br />Is it really going to come out in paperback? Because I really don't want to buy a Kindle [or e reader/whatever]<br />Thanks!SkippyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479661523059481730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75296004173242403912012-05-29T14:22:34.874-07:002012-05-29T14:22:34.874-07:00C'mon Ken -- how a bout a little ebook love fo...C'mon Ken -- how a bout a little ebook love for us Barnes & Noble Nook users?<br /><br />I'd like to see Jane Fonda naked along with all the other kids.Tom Chandlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12606490006697803189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75627473328551720392012-05-29T13:48:48.605-07:002012-05-29T13:48:48.605-07:00Well darn, if I don't want to go ahead and rea...Well darn, if I don't want to go ahead and read this now. Added to the pile!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07157630082355224244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-77664745276193670692012-05-29T13:20:22.239-07:002012-05-29T13:20:22.239-07:00Anxious to read this. Hopefully, it's better ...Anxious to read this. Hopefully, it's better than Being & Nothingness.Jean-Paul Albert Cam-who?noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27883230632187975522012-05-29T11:49:07.687-07:002012-05-29T11:49:07.687-07:00To borrow the term of Ken's favorite radio sta...To borrow the term of Ken's favorite radio station of the era, sounds boss.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57260187888944079942012-05-29T11:02:31.568-07:002012-05-29T11:02:31.568-07:00MikeBo said...
"Jane Fonda naked? Gotta buy ...<b>MikeBo said...</b><br /><br /><i>"Jane Fonda naked? Gotta buy it NOW!"</i><br /><br />Hey, Mike, if you lived during the 60's you made a point of seeing <i>BARBARELLA</i>. We <i>all</i> saw her naked...Tom Quigleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12959628996361620134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-75492884806765113542012-05-29T10:07:51.878-07:002012-05-29T10:07:51.878-07:00Right there with you, Richard Y. If I can't t...Right there with you, Richard Y. If I can't turn actual pages, I don't feel like I am reading a book. Just spending more time on a computer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78902728728970175092012-05-29T09:42:58.126-07:002012-05-29T09:42:58.126-07:00This is going to be a "Must Have" book f...This is going to be a "Must Have" book from all the beta-testing Ken has done with us on the blog. But I will wait for the hard book. I know I must be in the minority but do not much care for Kindle reading.Richard Ynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66050571068433152832012-05-29T08:37:52.359-07:002012-05-29T08:37:52.359-07:00I know I will enjoy this. I also grew up in the &#...I know I will enjoy this. I also grew up in the '60s but on the east coast and a few years later (bar mitzvah Sept. 1969) and recall quite a lot of the actual era.<br /><br />On the spectrum of 1960s retrospectives, it sounds like the book will be at the opposite end from what's presented at the "Woodstock museum," the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY. My family and I happened to be vacationing nearby a couple of years ago, and decided after checking out the gift shop (and what we were able to see of the exhibits through a shop window) not to buy tickets.gottacooknoreply@blogger.com