tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7196602394821599797..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Friday QuestionsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11202117397718491112016-09-07T07:06:31.339-07:002016-09-07T07:06:31.339-07:00Friday question:
You said on your blog the first s...Friday question:<br />You said on your blog the first season of "Cheers" is the best season. I think so too, and as I re-watch it now I'm struck by how professionally done it is, especially compared to most other sitcoms from 1982 (think: cheap videotape). Why do you say it's the best season? And were the ratings really as poor as we've heard?Larry Commonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09036727846698149388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-71895480298089209312016-09-07T06:48:38.091-07:002016-09-07T06:48:38.091-07:00Friday question: It's the 50th anniversary of ...Friday question: It's the 50th anniversary of Star Trek this year. In 1996 it was the 30th anniversary, and this happened:<br /><br />https://youtu.be/h2hs0oZ6JuQ<br /><br />How did this come about? Who wrote it? And why isn't Kelsey there?David Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00393176692394793423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55168556483094488832016-09-04T08:20:39.035-07:002016-09-04T08:20:39.035-07:00That's what I was hoping they would do. Netfli...That's what I was hoping they would do. Netflix already sort dipped its toe in the water. I never saw FULL HOUSE (or at least have no memeory of seeing it), and the pilot for FULLER HOUSE definitely left me with a sense that it was full of something. It would have been better if they had truncated the pilot and started right into the story. Not much better, but better.<br /><br />MOM is the show I want to see more of. I love HOT IN CLEVELAND. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18119151986422812833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60937462485412165612016-09-03T14:20:08.383-07:002016-09-03T14:20:08.383-07:00@Jeff: For one thing, the FCC regulates content on...@Jeff: For one thing, the FCC regulates content on broadcast networks, and it doesn't on cable networks. The FCC's interpretation of its own rules and laws is unpredictable and ever changing. Even if you ultimately prevail, fighting a challenge to the FCC can be expensive.<br /><br />Also, broadcasters are much more beholden to advertisers's whims. Broadcast networks get nearly 100% of their revenue from advertising. For basic cable networks, it's more like 50%. For premium cable networks, it's 0%.<br /><br />Finally, cable networks are distributed almost directly to consumers. Broadcasters have to go through local TV stations that have their own advertisers and community standards. Networks need to get as close to full carriage as possible for a show to be viable. So they have to take into account the mores of the most conservative parts of the country.Andy Rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23426488449184911162016-09-03T12:00:05.556-07:002016-09-03T12:00:05.556-07:00I'm watching CHEERS on Netflix and I'm tow...I'm watching CHEERS on Netflix and I'm towards the end of season 3. Coach missed a few episodes and I was thinking that maybe we had seen the last of him, but then he shows up in the episode where Diane leaves for Europe where he and Diane have a poignant scene where Diane asks Coach to "just watch over" Sam. Was this intentional knowing that he was ill and unlikely to return for season 4 in any case or was it just dumb luck that it was so retroactively poignant? And why did he return for this episode after missing 3 or 4? Was it taped out of sequence for some reason? Eric Lydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09787174730867647969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-41575067009949722272016-09-03T06:09:57.983-07:002016-09-03T06:09:57.983-07:00@DrBOP: That joke goes back to at least 2008, when...@DrBOP: That joke goes back to at least 2008, when Kerry used it about McCain. And Kerry's spokespeople claimed that he was merely repeating a joke that was already old. (Source <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/presidential-candidate-john-kerry-criticized-john-mccain-adult-diapers-joke-article-1.302965" rel="nofollow">here</a>.)<br />Jay Livingstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03797268351984440375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78127299886523921612016-09-03T05:54:06.550-07:002016-09-03T05:54:06.550-07:00I've read many times on your blog about how th...I've read many times on your blog about how the major networks executives have strict control over their shows (having to approve outlines, providing irritating notes, etc). The result being stifled creativity, cliched storytelling and often poor ratings. Meanwhile many cable shows have much more freedom and the results are seemingly speaking for themselves (13 out of the 14 shows nominated in the best drama and best comedy categories in this year's Emmy's are cable shows). So my question is, why would the networks continue their current practices? To use a baseball analogy, if you saw another player hitting home runs and you were constantly striking out, wouldn't you want to emulate the home run hitter?Jeff :)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37066926339124560632016-09-02T23:25:22.762-07:002016-09-02T23:25:22.762-07:00Joe, I have also on some computers not had to pass...Joe, I have also on some computers not had to pass a capcha. I never login to anything, just use name.<br /><br />I have also had lots of problems with the system, but I've never had to take again when I was certain I got it right. <br />The ones with the pictures that keep showing up- they never say you got something wrong. They just put a check mark and put up a new picture. <br />I failed one because it said click the street signs, and there were none. I was supposed to click skip, but clicked on part of the picture.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17621714922223795352016-09-02T21:15:15.597-07:002016-09-02T21:15:15.597-07:00Off-Topic-Kid, talking about the best of awwwll-ti...Off-Topic-Kid, talking about the best of awwwll-time shortest jokes. As MANY comedians have said, it's tough to beat Henny Youngman's old stand-by, "Take my wife.....please." Well, Mel Brooks did it last night at Radio City Music Hall. <br />Mel was asked "Boxers or Briefs?", answer was....<br /><br />Depends.<br /><br />http://splitsider.com/2016/09/mel-brooks-destroyed-at-radio-city-music-hall-last-night/<br /><br />And check this SplitSider site out.....very current, funny, fresh, etc.<br />Their daily newsletter has AT LEAST one killer article EVERY day.....often 4 out of 6 articles will put a smile....on the dial!DrBOPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07179469265158025584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39192462076848587602016-09-02T20:55:15.056-07:002016-09-02T20:55:15.056-07:00I was going to say the same thing. I know it's...I was going to say the same thing. I know it's only a joke, and Ken is obviously aware of the real life problems, but nobody should be seriously thinking that being a white male is somehow more of a hindrance than being anything else. It's still very much a white male world. <br /><br />There are genuinely people who hold these views, and are probably wondering why their spec "It's Tough Being White" hasn't been picked up yet. Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64310254586603642332016-09-02T18:22:13.459-07:002016-09-02T18:22:13.459-07:00I love Ken and love the blog, but the "divers...I love Ken and love the blog, but the "diversity" comment was not only offensive but factually untrue. Sitcoms aren't getting greenlit because networks are filling diversity quotas and passing over more qualified whites.<br /><br />Utterly untrue and unfair to writers of color.<br /><br />-White WriterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62652421415869871212016-09-02T17:20:43.091-07:002016-09-02T17:20:43.091-07:00You really think one of the reasons for lousy sitc...You really think one of the reasons for lousy sitcoms is not enough white writers? Writers are being fired for being "too Caucasian" and women and POC are being hired just to "fill the need for diversity"?<br /><br />The stats don't seem to back you up on this one:<br /><i>In a new report, the Writers Guild of America, West said female writers’ share of TV staff jobs was 29% in the most recent season, down from 30.5% in the previous season. Meanwhile, minorities accounted for 13.7% of employment, compared with 15.6% during the 2011-12 season. </i><br /><br />This is not the first time you written something like this. I think you might want to take a moment to reexamine your thinking on this topic.VictoryGardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18040347677687963267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-30660443234451635352016-09-02T15:57:14.173-07:002016-09-02T15:57:14.173-07:00Friday question:
A live version of the movie Airp...Friday question:<br /><br />A live version of the movie Airplane! Is being staged in LA this month. <br /><br />http://airplanelivela.com/<br /><br />The original movie is pretty iconic. I understand it has been updated with modern day references. Any chance that you might attend and give us a review? BobinVThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659467295097024979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13026199311416037202016-09-02T15:21:47.628-07:002016-09-02T15:21:47.628-07:00Double Secret Probation! (whatever that is!)Double Secret Probation! (whatever that is!)Catnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-69608888681475297482016-09-02T12:14:47.313-07:002016-09-02T12:14:47.313-07:00I was going to make this statement but thanks for ...I was going to make this statement but thanks for saving me the time. No offense to anyone but if anything the problem for lack of creativity and new jokes etc would be because the jokes are still mostly coming from the same people with the same background and the same experiences. Diversity is still VERY SMALL when you look at the numbers even tho the doors are opening for POC to get in on the bottom floor. Let's not act as if women and POC are at an ADVANTAGE. We just aren't as disadvantaged as we used to be. It's still a game of who knows who and the people at the top still basically look the same so it's easier for others who look like them to connect. Just the natural reality of it all.Myleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07139984409445302062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17122006334774463202016-09-02T10:59:01.188-07:002016-09-02T10:59:01.188-07:00@Mike FYI, I rarely, rarely failed tests in the pa...@Mike FYI, I rarely, <i>rarely</i> failed tests in the past, this just started happening recently, and you know very well that it's not just me, because other people have previously commented they, too, had to sit through more than one CAPTCHA puzzle as well.<br /><br />@Eric I think it automatically checks off "I'm not a robot" if you're already logged in - I have two different Google accounts (this one for Blogger, and other one strictly for my YouTube channel), so I'm usually logged off whenever I comment, hence why I have to go through CAPTCHA by default before I can login. It's these stupid street sign puzzles, or the "keep selecting until there are none left" puzzles that seem to be a big hang up.Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62844398835572822962016-09-02T10:56:20.091-07:002016-09-02T10:56:20.091-07:00Yeah, Joe, Ken clearly has it in for you. So apolo...Yeah, Joe, Ken clearly has it in for you. So apologize for whatever pissed him off. Writers hold mean grudges.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70619798904263423502016-09-02T09:18:10.420-07:002016-09-02T09:18:10.420-07:00Re: Joseph Scarborough
I think you're on doubl...Re: Joseph Scarborough<br />I think you're on double secret probation or something. I NEVER get a captcha puzzle on this site. My robot checks off the "I'm not a robot" box and I'm published.<br /><br />Eric Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10639837826294361383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-51231761582286089612016-09-02T08:59:24.805-07:002016-09-02T08:59:24.805-07:00Face it Joe, you are just not that capable of pass...Face it Joe, you are just not that capable of passing these quizzes. You are barely human. In fact it is possible that like in Lego Ninjago and so many other circumstances, you are really a robot without knowing it.<br /><br />There is the possibility that the system is detecting these frequent failures and giving you more tests based on your IP address.MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63441462408758152142016-09-02T08:57:41.470-07:002016-09-02T08:57:41.470-07:00Between 80 and 90% is not 'overwhelmingly whit...Between 80 and 90% is not 'overwhelmingly white'.<br />MikeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90311569517921017422016-09-02T08:25:24.134-07:002016-09-02T08:25:24.134-07:00I'm sorry, but writers rooms are still overwhe...I'm sorry, but writers rooms are still overwhelmingly white (according to the statistics I can find, it looks like somewhere between 80 and 90%). I highly suspect that people are more likely be and to have been kept out of the room for "not being Caucasian enough" rather than being "too Caucasian." OnlyMenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60817219296927839502016-09-02T08:15:54.758-07:002016-09-02T08:15:54.758-07:00Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix aren't networks, the...Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix aren't networks, they're streaming services.<br /><br />And now, I had to sit through <i>five</i> CAPTCHA puzzles. What's going on, Ken?Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31916903078342258422016-09-02T08:06:44.045-07:002016-09-02T08:06:44.045-07:00Friday question: every article I've ever read ...Friday question: every article I've ever read about SNL talks about the grueling process just to get something on the air.<br />But then why do so many sketches that air suck?<br />There's at least one per show where I wonder "how did THAT get through?"<br />do you have a writer's perspective, even though you never worked on the show?<br />cd1515https://www.blogger.com/profile/13442641020639066876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44197577347236356602016-09-02T07:41:24.378-07:002016-09-02T07:41:24.378-07:00Streaming services like Netflix even help bring ol...Streaming services like Netflix even help bring old chestnuts back to the world.... with the help of a tremendous Kickstarter campaign!<br /><br />http://nerdist.com/mystery-science-theater-3000-reboot-coming-to-netflix-with-great-writers/<br /><br /><br />Ralph C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12488657064245017543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26840772594254181092016-09-02T07:28:50.113-07:002016-09-02T07:28:50.113-07:00Regarding critics, I think the biggest problem is ...Regarding critics, I think the biggest problem is that there are so many these days. Almost anyone can post reviews and call themselves a critic, and that waters down the field, making it harder to find a really good one.<br /><br />Critics should be writers, first and foremost, and it used to be a profession of more esteem. One of the reasons I always enjoyed reading Roger Ebert was that I knew his writing well enough that even if I disagreed, I enjoyed reading the review. And sometimes Ebert wouldn't like a movie, but I could tell from the review I probably would, and vice versa.<br /><br />There are still good critics out there, but they're just harder to find -- and as noted, they have a lot less influence.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11394506162058527592noreply@blogger.com