tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post5512067670091899806..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The SHARK TANK scene I'd like to seeBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58481913151559986802014-12-12T14:29:41.058-08:002014-12-12T14:29:41.058-08:00Carmen,
Thanks for the great response. Great to ...Carmen,<br /><br />Thanks for the great response. Great to get insight from someone who was there. By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25736280546483226542014-12-12T14:21:16.817-08:002014-12-12T14:21:16.817-08:00I'm glad the writing conditions of THE COSBY S...I'm glad the writing conditions of THE COSBY SHOW have come up, because I was a writer/Producer on the show for five-and-a-half seasons, and I want to correct some of what you wrote, Ken.<br /><br />I enjoy your blog, but feel compelled to respond today.<br /><br />The writer you spoke to somehow gave the impression Cosby would blow smoke in our faces when giving notes, or just to possibly mess with us, and I can say that is NOT true. Yes, Cosby smoked cigars often, and if smoke somehow drifted in our faces (I don't ever remember one incident of that happening to me), it would have been because of a wind change and accidental.<br /><br />Secondly, Cosby DID NOT make a habit of using funny voices at table readings to mock the script. If, as happens sometimes at a reading, some general silliness broke out, e.g., somebody mangled a line (and even they laughed at their mistake) someone might have fun with that. Or Bill might do a funny voice when kidding that person. But he was just as willing to be made fun of by the cast when he made a mistake. Remember, we had kids in the show, so silliness can happen sometimes.<br /><br />I have to give a little history on why scripts were written on Wednesdays through Sundays on the show. In the first couple of seasons, scripts were prepared well in advance (with a couple of drafts and a table polish). The problem was Bill Cosby has such a fertile mind, and it's always working, he would often have a different take on a script once he heard it, and throw it in a different direction.... usually, I might add, in a far better direction. So, the writers would face a big rewrite, but the story was better.<br /><br />The writers, by the third season, decided that instead of pitching stories a month out, they would meet closer to the actual reading to clear a story and write the script, knowing chances were better that Bill wouldn't change his mind on the story. Thus we began writing Wednesday for a Monday reading. These scripts were closer to first draft shape, and we didn't expect them to be home runs. However, the story would usually remain the same. So, we would work on that draft, with great notes from Cosby, incidentally, and whip it into shape for the Thursday taping. Obviously, this required long hours, but it was satisfying, when viewing the end product.<br /><br />Bill had total creative control of the show, and one advantage was NO network interference.<br /><br />One of the great pleasures creatively for me was sitting with Cosby three mornings a week discussing story and comedic ideas for the show. It was like your own 2-hour Bill Cosby comedy concert, because he could riff on something off the top of his head for 15 minutes and have you bust a gut laughing. His mind is like Jazz, constantly moving in all directions, and I think what enabled myself and the other writers on staff to succeed is that Bill understood we got it, i.e., what he was looking for.<br /><br />The atmosphere on the show, as far as the crew was concerned, was very good. It was a completely integrated crew from top to bottom, and had a very nice family atmosphere. Cosby went out of his way to make sure African-American technicians, etc., were hired, and black and white crew worked well together.<br /><br />If anyone's Mom showed up, Cosby treated her like the Queen of England, and lavished attention and love on her. My Mom, an Italian immigrant with little education, spoke about the day she met Cosby for the rest of her life. I never forgot it, either.<br /><br />Yes,writing the Cosby Show required very long hours, but almost every writer who came out of it, got a huge boost in their career. I was able, with Cosby Writer Matt Williams, and David McFadzean, to help create HOME IMPROVEMENT, which was also a hit.<br /><br />I know everyone wants to jump on Bill Cosby now, but I thought he was a good boss. He was demanding, but isn't every creator of a show who wants it to be good? Ask Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld.<br /><br /> <br />Carmen Finestranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-35740387522671508092014-12-12T06:27:56.409-08:002014-12-12T06:27:56.409-08:00Is that where the Austrailian phrase " Down U...Is that where the Austrailian phrase " Down Under " comes from ?<br />Dave A.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-76779052104761367192014-12-12T02:32:55.374-08:002014-12-12T02:32:55.374-08:00I watched the video ... imagine if Daphne from Fra...I watched the video ... imagine if Daphne from Frasier tried something like that? Martin would choke on his beer, Frasier would have an attack of Stehndahl Syndrome, and Niles would simply Plotz.<br /><br />PS: for those of us outside the USA - "Shark Tank" is the USA version of the UK show "Dragon's Den" (which was itself loosely based on a Japanese show). brian thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11816630081635941429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86379842703957497782014-12-11T23:23:41.349-08:002014-12-11T23:23:41.349-08:00A little respect for the lady, please. This is fol...A little respect for the lady, please. This is folk art at its finest. I'm going to commission a ski mask from her.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10653098293727361912014-12-11T23:09:19.330-08:002014-12-11T23:09:19.330-08:00Not much to say here except that a bird in hand is...Not much to say here except that a bird in hand is worth, or never mind!<br />Mike Barerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14447874605833321732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58365585723810169782014-12-11T16:39:55.862-08:002014-12-11T16:39:55.862-08:00Not especially funny, however, it may be a new dir...Not especially funny, however, it may be a new direction for the 2 broke girls, once they tire of selling their muffins. Pussy Galorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44485827019191524342014-12-11T13:43:58.537-08:002014-12-11T13:43:58.537-08:00I'm with Barbara on this one....I'm with Barbara on this one....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53281428173847484092014-12-11T13:33:59.218-08:002014-12-11T13:33:59.218-08:00Having a skien of WOOL yarn inserted into the vagi... Having a skien of WOOL yarn inserted into the vagina was one of the forms of torture for women terrorist prisoners that just came to light in the release of the CIA Torture Report. They nicknamed the technique "The Bush Administration".cshelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69193730262524122332014-12-11T13:30:13.825-08:002014-12-11T13:30:13.825-08:00Not a good answer, Dan Ball. Lots of satire (whic...Not a good answer, Dan Ball. Lots of satire (which I love) doesn't involve anything like watching someone knit her way through vaginal blood. <br /><br />However, I realize my comment may have sounded judgmental, and I didn't intend that. I just don't get it, but maybe that's because I have a hard time laughing when I'm puking. <br /><br />LOL, Pat Reeder. Now, that's funny.Diane D.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4807487269378166082014-12-11T13:26:24.214-08:002014-12-11T13:26:24.214-08:00The OSU reference was funny.The OSU reference was funny.Doug R.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52350546493219852522014-12-11T13:11:44.430-08:002014-12-11T13:11:44.430-08:00If she really wants to impress me, let's see h...If she really wants to impress me, let's see her take some inspiration from Penn & Teller: insert a ball of yarn and two knitting needles in there, wiggle around for a few minutes, then pull out a Christmas sweater. <br /><br />To Diane D.: If you don't like bad puns, you'd better leave before the "on the rag" references start flying. Pat Reederhttp://www.hollywoodhifi.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50260536362404464582014-12-11T13:05:22.308-08:002014-12-11T13:05:22.308-08:00I think that lady who knits things from yarn in he...I think that lady who knits things from yarn in her pussy would have a been a great guest character on MASH. Margaret Houlihan would have been all crabby and trying to reprimand her, but ultimately Kinger saves the day by supporting what she does by wearing her garments, and ends up using one as a bandage which saves a wounded soldier's life. And we all learn a little something about humility and non-judgmentalism.<br /><br />And the "hot lips" double entendres abound.Charles Emerson Losechesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63534682913822864602014-12-11T13:00:13.221-08:002014-12-11T13:00:13.221-08:00Diane:
It's funny because it's satire.Diane:<br /><br />It's funny because it's satire.Dan Ballhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06865180000909831517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27474874643532372712014-12-11T12:21:49.733-08:002014-12-11T12:21:49.733-08:00Well. I have only been reading this blog for a fe...Well. I have only been reading this blog for a few months so I admit to being shocked by this particular post. I thought when I got to the comments, I might find some equally appalled individual. But, no, just more bad puns and merriment!<br /><br />Man, how is this funny? <br /><br />Diane D.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-92184246133553287472014-12-11T12:13:29.188-08:002014-12-11T12:13:29.188-08:00OK, I lost it at "snatch this opportunity?&qu...OK, I lost it at "snatch this opportunity?" emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86966677207304877222014-12-11T09:46:39.864-08:002014-12-11T09:46:39.864-08:00Ken, what do you make of the Golden Globe nominati...Ken, what do you make of the Golden Globe nominations? For the best musical or comedy TV series, they've nominated:<br /><br />Girls<br />Orange Is the New Black<br />Transparent<br />Silicon Valley<br />Jane the Virgin<br /><br />I haven't even heard of the latter three and I don't recall you or anyone mentioning them on these pages.Hamidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-50255075091956389172014-12-11T09:35:44.862-08:002014-12-11T09:35:44.862-08:00I think it is hilarious that she is hiding the yar...I think it is hilarious that she is hiding the yard from her pussy, but they should have just gotten rid of her by giving her the shaft.166Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11777496001166356949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9394143234251924862014-12-11T09:25:10.979-08:002014-12-11T09:25:10.979-08:00So funny! Especially the line about pockets. An ...So funny! Especially the line about pockets. An inverse Kangeroo pouch?<br /><br />But How is Daymond not in this episode? He's the apparel expert. He'd be all up in this junk. He'd even put up the V sign. For Victory of course.<br />Thank goodness that pussy (cat) gave the woman the inspiration.The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62501423620307323692014-12-11T09:22:18.945-08:002014-12-11T09:22:18.945-08:00Knitting a scarf from yarn in your vagina? One que...Knitting a scarf from yarn in your vagina? One question. Is it virgin wool?Waynenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90582071867578210342014-12-11T09:05:26.200-08:002014-12-11T09:05:26.200-08:00Hey Ken,
Probably the funniest thing I've eve...Hey Ken,<br /><br />Probably the funniest thing I've ever read on your blog. I love it when you review Shark Tank. <br /><br />--LLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73197882212043275122014-12-11T06:14:33.143-08:002014-12-11T06:14:33.143-08:00CASEY: I have a cat, and often times he would jump...<i>CASEY: I have a cat, and often times he would jump on the table and unravel the yarn, so I needed a place to hide it.</i><br /><br />That killed me.Hamidnoreply@blogger.com