tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6859564028877032323..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Watching UNDATEABLE LIVE liveBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24721532315669813912019-07-14T17:31:43.145-07:002019-07-14T17:31:43.145-07:00Isn’t Phill Lewis the younger dentist from CITY SL...Isn’t Phill Lewis the younger dentist from CITY SLICKERS? Father and son duo? He looks familiar.Bryan Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03942472363470824138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11133709098484754682015-12-01T06:33:17.705-08:002015-12-01T06:33:17.705-08:00I'm a big Bill Lawrence fan and have liked Und...I'm a big Bill Lawrence fan and have liked Undateable from the beginning -- even before it was live. I do like the live shows, and I'm glad you got to attend a broadcast. I especially like that you had such a great time and it made you more of a fan ... it's akin to seeing a band play live. You were on the fence before, but now that you've seen them live, you really, really like them. :-)Katherine @ Grass Stainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01258123193553569060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12216917585119594112015-11-24T19:00:17.494-08:002015-11-24T19:00:17.494-08:00Had the same experience with FRIENDS as Lawrence. ...Had the same experience with FRIENDS as Lawrence. Looked like the cast was learning their lines, rehearsing and then filming, scene by scene, as they went along. It was pretty tedious and pretty dull. And I was/am a fan of the show.<br /><br />I've heard UNDATEABLE LIVE described as the result of a union between live television and those skits they used to do on Carol Burnett's old show where Tim Conway and Harvey Korman were paired up for no other reason than to see how often and how intensely Conway could break up Korman. The thing about live television these days is that it might as well not be. Like SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. Lorne Michaels takes a notoriously dim view of ad-libbing and of straying from what's been carefully scripted and rehearsed. There's no real reason for the show to be live. It's as safe and predictable and as un-spontaneous as if it was all pre-recorded and edited together days ahead of time. (In fact, many of SNL's sketches ARE pre-taped, something they've been doing for years for sketches requiring elaborate make-up or production.) UNDATEABLE LIVE is unique in the way it plays on the unpredictability that can be inherent in its being live. The audience really doesn't know what's coming next. Often, neither does the cast. It adds a level of excitement lacking in too many sitcoms these days.<br /><br />Granted, it's a gimmick, and I can't help but wonder if at some point that gimmick won't burn-out, but for the moment, it's a lot of fun to watch.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64577272227359990272015-11-24T08:19:33.266-08:002015-11-24T08:19:33.266-08:00do not forget to follow the tweets the most import...do not forget to follow the tweets the most important people...the writers.<br />@undateablewroomThe Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25258937435929182372015-11-24T08:09:25.840-08:002015-11-24T08:09:25.840-08:00It would be sexism if the genders were reversed in...It would be sexism if the genders were reversed in the crotch grabbing scene.Diane D.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82458479176835579282015-11-24T07:31:55.841-08:002015-11-24T07:31:55.841-08:00Great post. Two things.
I thought Euripides is wh...Great post. Two things.<br /><br />I thought Euripides is what you do to deez network notes.<br /><br />As for the idea of letting the audience in on a joke before it happens, as I read that it had the feel of a Folgers ad. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Gtb1kElRk) Not that there's anything wrong with it.Igornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20271215715085008692015-11-24T06:34:49.619-08:002015-11-24T06:34:49.619-08:00I can answer that, as I have never watched it live...I can answer that, as I have never watched it live. TiVo doesn't take away from the experience.The atmosphere is charged with that "dancing on the razors edge" of a live broadcast.<br /><br />My question is: who are the little blond boys who are always in the audience and mug for the camera?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11367444296880738377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82619405237284677192015-11-24T06:13:27.404-08:002015-11-24T06:13:27.404-08:00I'm glad the show is fun for the folks in the ...I'm glad the show is fun for the folks in the audience. Too bad it never seems come across at home. And, I ask again, do these people actually have jobs?unkystannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59866318125965191472015-11-24T04:39:28.244-08:002015-11-24T04:39:28.244-08:00So Christa Miller was instructed to surprise Chris...So Christa Miller was instructed to surprise Chris D’Elia by grabbing his crotch on live TV, just to see how he would react? I'm sure everyone was a good sport about this -- but if the genders had been reversed in this situation, it would eventually be cited as an example of sexism in Hollywood, and it would make headlines.Leenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-25752319924463959532015-11-24T01:07:50.195-08:002015-11-24T01:07:50.195-08:00I guess in a play there are months of rehearsals s...I guess in a play there are months of rehearsals so everyone is word perfect and depending on the source material I.e. Arthur Miller or Shakespeare the audience will also have a deep knowledge of the play. Whereas neither of these will be true for a weekly sitcom Bankablehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09061723402118334382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85906253775327322492015-11-23T23:18:04.014-08:002015-11-23T23:18:04.014-08:00Why did Friends take so long to shoot? Was it that...<i>Why did Friends take so long to shoot? Was it that complicated or was it a case of everyone was such a big star that the audience just loved more and more??</i><br /><br />At the FRIENDS taping we attended, at least part of the reason it took so long was that none of the show's stars appeared to have bothered to learn their lines. For that matter, we weren't sure they'd even rehearsed. None of them seemed to know what they were supposed to be doing, and it really looked like they were rehearsing, blocking out the action, and then shooting, scene by scene, as they went along. It was really pretty boring and quite disappointing. The "least fun" taping we've ever attended. I think the fastest, most efficient taping we ever saw was for THE GOLDEN GIRLS. There were some blown lines here and there and the usual stopping and starting, but those ladies knew their lines and their business, and were impressively professional. Lawrencenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65558622212783971002015-11-23T22:42:30.126-08:002015-11-23T22:42:30.126-08:00Not a nitpick , just info...it's Phill Lewis. ...Not a nitpick , just info...it's Phill Lewis. Two L's.cbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30542323222725550862015-11-23T22:19:58.470-08:002015-11-23T22:19:58.470-08:00D. McEwan said...
You know, you can watch the show...<i>D. McEwan said...<br />You know, you </i>can<i> watch the show without diving into Social Media. I just watch the show."</i><br /><br />Dougie, you lazy bastard. <b>COMMIT!</b> Tweet, Periscope, phone the cast and suggest how they could be funnier (They're not busy at all between scenes), live blog them! If you actually have time to look at the TV screen and listen to the soundtrack while it's on, you are <i>soooo</i> last century!Tallulah Moreheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07416330735326405496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31642421862148891932015-11-23T22:16:02.509-08:002015-11-23T22:16:02.509-08:00"Anonymous Sarah said...
This sounds like an ...<i>"Anonymous Sarah said...<br />This sounds like an interesting experience, and I applaud Bill Lawrence for embracing the current social media culture and having Twitter and Periscope be integral to the experience. That said - as much as I like Lawrence (loved Scrubs and the bulk of Cougar Town), it seems like too much "work" to watch this show properly."</i><br /><br />You know, you <i>can</i> watch the show without diving into Social Media. I just watch the show (Recorded so I can fast-forward through commercials) with no active participation, and when it's done, hit "Delete."D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24678912196521137762015-11-23T22:00:43.351-08:002015-11-23T22:00:43.351-08:00Why did Friends take so long to shoot? Was it tha...Why did Friends take so long to shoot? Was it that complicated or was it a case of everyone was such a big star that the audience just loved more and more??Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05265753244583100064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14516127812662022222015-11-23T21:25:24.132-08:002015-11-23T21:25:24.132-08:00I can answer that, as I have never watched it live...I can answer that, as I have never watched it live. TiVo doesn't take away from the experience.The atmosphere is charged with that "dancing on the razors edge" of a live broadcast.<br /><br />My question is: who are the little blond boys who are always in the audience and mug for the camera?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11367444296880738377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72213341318981832982015-11-23T19:46:34.786-08:002015-11-23T19:46:34.786-08:00This sounds like an interesting experience, and I ...This sounds like an interesting experience, and I applaud Bill Lawrence for embracing the current social media culture and having Twitter and Periscope be integral to the experience. That said - as much as I like Lawrence (loved Scrubs and the bulk of Cougar Town), it seems like too much "work" to watch this show properly. (I say this as someone in their mid-30s; not young but not out of their target demo, either.) <br /><br />My question is - how do you think this show would do in reruns and/or next day on Hulu, etc? Not ratings-wise, but experience wise? Is it truly something that needs to be seen as it happens, or will it hold up on repeat and/or delayed viewings? Sarahnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27262846213527997382015-11-23T18:59:06.326-08:002015-11-23T18:59:06.326-08:00What happens when it goes into reruns, do the acto...What happens when it goes into reruns, do the actors and crew have to go to the studio and do it again at 2 a.m. for WXY TV in Toledo for 3 cents of residual payments? See folks its not as glamorous as Robin Leach made it out to be. Stephen Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15382570443203706976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61186722777156319772015-11-23T18:57:51.876-08:002015-11-23T18:57:51.876-08:00Most interesting. I'll have to see if I can ge...Most interesting. I'll have to see if I can get tickets to a broadcast, as I'd find it fascinating also.<br /><br />I've been recently to a taping of <i>@Midnight</i> (and am going back again on December 7). What impressed me most was that they shot almost an hour for a 22 minute show, and had at most 5 hours to edit it for broadcast, yet when I saw the broadcast, the edits I knew were there were so seamless as to be undetectable if you weren't there, though they lost some good stuff in the edit, but the unedited shows can then be seen online. (I was mildly creeped out by the one woman in line who attends <i><b>EVERY</b></i> broadcast of the show, having apparently no other life, who is on a first name basis with the entire production crew by now.)D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88570566186291037122015-11-23T17:12:29.605-08:002015-11-23T17:12:29.605-08:00I'll second @Matt's comment. This seems ve...I'll second @Matt's comment. This seems very retro - essentially farce theatre or pantomime with a massively enlarged audience through television and social media. Which is probably a compliment. There's a unique electricity to a live performance.<br /><br />Reminds me of British Saturday night television in the '70s or '80s when variety shows were the big draw. Watching back classic clips of <i>Morecombe & Wise</i>, it all seems to be filmed in one take. Any mistakes are worked into the act and used to embellish it - often the best parts. The accursed <i>Noel's House Party</i> would hide live cameras around the living room of an unsuspecting viewer, than deposit the viewer live onto national TV without warning. I assume America had similar programmes.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06248182899977033579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85305723768121187612015-11-23T16:20:38.041-08:002015-11-23T16:20:38.041-08:00if it wasn't mentioned - I can't remember ...if it wasn't mentioned - I can't remember - this is actually the third season of undateable. I had been recording it on my DVR but only watched 3 episodes and somewhere last season I just decided to dump all of them. And then they had the live episode last season, which I recorded but hadn't watched until after this season premiere.so that night I had two full hours which was really too much. but I really like Bill Lawrence and I was a big fan of Scrubs although I just couldn't get into Cougar Town and I tried twice. the window is on Periscope, I tend pay attention. sometimes he lets his daughter sing or shows us what Christa is making for dessert.<br /><br />it's true I didn't like this episode as much as some of the others although I did like Christa. Chris was mingling his lines on the East Coast feed which was the only one i saw. and in general, if this show wasn't live I wouldn't be watching it. danny is not a character that appeals to me at all. it was kind of cool to see him in khakis with his hair pulled back though.<br />I was sad last season that surviving jack didn't even get 9 episodes on the air. It was funny and it seemed to me that it was what s*** my dad says was supposed to be, even if the kids were younger. ground floor was good. I really didn't get into enlisted and I never could get into Cougar Town.<br />if only I could remember WHen the L AFF network airs those Spin City reruns...I mean the ones that aren't on in primetime. back when Spinn city was on I watched it and loved it and obviously like Michael J Fox and had no idea that Bill Lawrence existed.but since scrubs I've tried to be loyal.<br />and I love the shot of the control room with all the monitors because I am a production geek even though I only got to do it for a little while on cable access. I always wanted to be the one to take camera one and take camera 3 but I ended up just doing the graphics.did I say thanks for the report? Thanks :-)Pamela Jayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06135379188588301400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7459806441528813652015-11-23T15:28:29.889-08:002015-11-23T15:28:29.889-08:00Interesting to read how they are using social medi...Interesting to read how they are using social media to help build interest and an audience. I'm a big fan of Bill Lawrence, especially his work on SCRUBS. Didn't realize he was involved with the show and will give it a shot this Friday. Having Christa Miller pop up more couldn't hurt. I still catch DREW CAREY SHOW reruns with its memorable cast and laugh just as hard as I did when I saw them in the original run. MikeK.Pa.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89208793708271273372015-11-23T14:48:30.413-08:002015-11-23T14:48:30.413-08:00VP81955: Glad to hear Violet's coming back. I ...VP81955: Glad to hear Violet's coming back. I miss her.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63291352209357845452015-11-23T14:40:37.208-08:002015-11-23T14:40:37.208-08:00Oh, and after you download it, add the cast and cr...Oh, and after you download it, add the cast and crew to the follow list. You'll get a chirp on your phone when they're on.<br /><br />Official Undateable Live - @NBCUndateable<br />Bill Lawrence - @vdoozer<br />Ron Funches - @RonFunches<br />Chris D'Elia - @chrisdelia<br />Brent Morin - @brentmorin<br />Bianca Kajlich - @MissKajlich<br />Rick Glassman - @rickglassman<br />Bridgit Mendler - @bridgitmendler<br />David Fynn - @davidfynn<br /><br />And now I'll leave before I sound creepier than I already do.Howard Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05377628524697677407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-52777325665339033272015-11-23T14:29:11.468-08:002015-11-23T14:29:11.468-08:00The use of Periscope is integral to the show's...The use of Periscope is integral to the show's experience. Bill Lawrence hopped on just before the West Coast show and told us after the cast was introduced to the studio audience that he was "gonna get" Chris D'Elia. He let us in on his giving a note to Christa about grabbing his crotch (and that the network gave him the okay to do it). Sure enough, she does it, and D'Elia screams "OH MY GOD!!!" The audience was in convulsions, but D'Elia recovered perfectly.<br /><br />Other things they reveal in their daily Periscopes: They hire their handheld camera operators from NBC Sports and ESPN because they know how to cover "the plays." Their favorite and easiest crack-up targets are Brent Morin and Bianca Kajlich. And everyone is completely behind doing live shows for the remainder of the run.<br /><br />Do yourself a favor. Join Twitter, download Periscope, be there every day at 4:30 PT to track that week's show, then nestle in on Friday night as they 'Scope the show, starting an hour before airtime and during every commercial break. You'll be in on the fun.Howard Hoffmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05377628524697677407noreply@blogger.com