tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7207104281947751305..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Friday QuestionsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-9830846981872474732019-08-21T09:17:23.555-07:002019-08-21T09:17:23.555-07:00If you could develop a sitcom today and had total ...If you could develop a sitcom today and had total carte blanche, what would be your dream team? Network, stars, supporting actors, writing room and production team?slgchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05947656936483533667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-7615771230089598002019-08-19T20:10:33.345-07:002019-08-19T20:10:33.345-07:00Something I've wondered about "Goodbye, R...Something I've wondered about "Goodbye, Radar" for a long time was how you happened to choose Lancaster, MO, as Patty's hometown. Right after I saw the show for the first time I looked up the town in my parents' road atlas to see if it really existed or was made up for the show. I was happy to see that Lancaster did indeed exist as the seat of a Missouri county that bordered Iowa. Did you just find it on a map, or was Lancaster significant to a cast or crew member?Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00483417885845331990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26867942533511922622019-08-18T16:06:30.248-07:002019-08-18T16:06:30.248-07:00Your first question about how quickly to write som...Your first question about how quickly to write something remindered me of a chapter in Barbara Tuchman's "Practicing History" where she writes about having to decide to stop researching and start writing.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16981334987965685592019-08-18T03:50:26.592-07:002019-08-18T03:50:26.592-07:00Might be a bit of a too personal question, but tho...Might be a bit of a too personal question, but thought I would ask.<br /><br />At the end of MASH are big part of the story is dealing with him and BJ probably never seeing each other again, after their time together.<br /><br />And BJs difficulty with saying good bye.<br /><br />I just wondered after a long running series like MASH, Cheers, and Frasier, especially given in interviews everyone seems to get on with each other, how much people do still meet up when in town etc, cast and crew etc. <br /><br />Social rather than organised reuinions etc.<br /><br />I have had a couple of jobs that were quite long term and still do, so I guess it is the same.<br /><br />As I say, might be too personal to answer.Chris Thomsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23436139569140170302019-08-17T10:46:40.786-07:002019-08-17T10:46:40.786-07:00I think anyone should take Goldman's and Cavet...I think anyone should take Goldman's and Cavett's (and Ken's!) advice and tweak it to their own situation. These three are comedy/screenwriting legends; what works for them might not work for someone toiling away on a spec script at Starbucks. For me, personally, I've found that Cavett's advice was 90 percent -- often the structure/idea/concept are there right away. But if I change just one or two words to something similar, it pops. Here's something you can all debate: yesterday I wrote a line that initially ended "without being embarrassed." A quick change to "without feeling self-conscious" made it much better.Kubelskynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85744086717547962682019-08-17T09:54:39.375-07:002019-08-17T09:54:39.375-07:00They weren't a Beatles like duo. They were The...They weren't a Beatles like duo. They were The Redcoats, aka, Chad & Jeremy, folk singers, who had a hit with Yesterday's Gone.Albert Giesbrechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17742338183833125104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84330311837416263222019-08-17T09:30:24.895-07:002019-08-17T09:30:24.895-07:00Which is why, Cap'n Bob, I guess "Rhoda&q...Which is why, Cap'n Bob, I guess "Rhoda" was doomed from the start...tavmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79020552491802549772019-08-17T00:15:38.443-07:002019-08-17T00:15:38.443-07:00@Mike Doran, the meta version of that I just saw i...@Mike Doran, the meta version of that I just saw in Into the Woods. Emily Blunt's character is unable to conceive a child, and Emily herself was pregnant during the filming. Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3747261934450062242019-08-16T21:37:11.926-07:002019-08-16T21:37:11.926-07:00"Was Gary Burghoff really as pissed off as he..."Was Gary Burghoff really as pissed off as he seemed to be during this two-part episode? Unlike before, he looks all of his 36-some years, clearly no teenager from Iowa, and like he wants to get it over with and get the fuck out of there."<br /><br />Tom Simon thought this was definitely the case:<br /><br />https://bondwine.com/2015/09/13/goodbye-radar-part-2/Francis Dollarhydehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16974200244125077414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-22061794374740128172019-08-16T17:34:19.784-07:002019-08-16T17:34:19.784-07:00I tend to agree with Frank Beans - Gary used his r...I tend to agree with Frank Beans - Gary used his regular voice only in his last episode, instead of his usual softer, higher, Radar voice. <br /><br />Always wondered if that huge cake was a prop or really used during a goodbye party for Gary. (Friday question?) <br /><br />I think the cast took his brimmed hat (thus showing Gary's receding hairline), had it mounted, and all signed the display before giving it to him as a farewell gift. I read this online, so it must be true, right? I'd never heard anyone else who had previously planned on leaving the show getting a farewell gift, but I hope they did!Lisa F.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-16618727239670633552019-08-16T16:36:21.071-07:002019-08-16T16:36:21.071-07:00I grew up watching daytime soap operas, where conc...I grew up watching daytime soap operas, where concealing pregnancies was an art.<br />If the ingenue du jour was expecting at a time when her character would not have been, the directors, stage managers, and cameramen had all kinds of camera angles and prop placements they could use to hide the baby bumps.<br />During the run of <i>30 Rock</i>, Jane Krakowski and Tina Fey both became pregnant (at different times).<br />I've head that Ms. Krakowski, who came up in the soaps, shared many of the staging tricks she'd seen with the <i>30 Rock</i> crew, which helped keep the show on schedule both times.<br />So the story goes, anyway …Mike Doranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14427528138598549103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53067398745361800792019-08-16T14:47:41.713-07:002019-08-16T14:47:41.713-07:00Not only is introducing a baby a bad idea, marryin...Not only is introducing a baby a bad idea, marrying off a character is, in my opinion. Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4914961915751860622019-08-16T14:33:43.775-07:002019-08-16T14:33:43.775-07:00The news is reporting that Trump seriously discuss...The news is reporting that Trump seriously discussed with his team the idea of buying Greenland. He was told it belongs to Denmark and isn't for sale. <br /><br />Genuine question for Republicans. At what point will you accept that this guy meets the criteria set out in the Constitution of being mentally unfit to hold the office of president of the United States? Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82187927702054567562019-08-16T13:38:59.944-07:002019-08-16T13:38:59.944-07:00On "McMillan and Wife," after Susan St. ...On "McMillan and Wife," after Susan St. James left the series, the baby her character had had ceased to exist. The remaining 6 episodes of the series never mentioned whether the child had died in the plane crash along with Sally. The kid was never mentioned again at all.Kosmo13noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47964391051125681342019-08-16T12:45:02.140-07:002019-08-16T12:45:02.140-07:00Alan Alda pulled Hawkeye -- and eventually the who...Alan Alda pulled Hawkeye -- and eventually the whole series -- in a direction more in tune with his own personality. Fortunately, he was intelligent and capable and the show survived. Are there cases when an actor becomes too possessive/protective of his/her character or the series? On the flip side, are there times when writers want an actor to get more involved beyond just showing up and giving a performance?DBensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01144515471557731622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1130738984547426172019-08-16T11:45:58.767-07:002019-08-16T11:45:58.767-07:00Thanks for answering another one of my questions, ...Thanks for answering another one of my questions, Ken.VincentShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04882196847468143484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-55358045188185679822019-08-16T11:18:50.427-07:002019-08-16T11:18:50.427-07:00Ironically, most sitcom babies are Taurus or Gemin...Ironically, most sitcom babies are Taurus or Gemini because they're timed for the season finally during May sweeps. I'm not a big believer in astrology, yet I have to wonder if the traits of any given sign are taken into consideration when writing for those characters.<br /> <br />Glenn, To add to what you said, "Seven" on "Married with Children" is another example.<br /><br />The thing that struck me most about the "Good-bye, Radar" episode was Gary Burghoff's hair line. Radar was almost always seen wearing his cap. But, when you did see his hair he didn't show that much forehead. I've always found it interesting that the primary way they showed that Radar had aged was to show him balding. I guess sitcoms will do that to a person. <br /><br />Completing a project quickly is a good indicator of how serious you are as a writer. I've often said that the disciplined are usually more successful than the talented. <br />I have stacks of half written scripts, sketches, plays, etc. laying around that may never be completed. Not because they're not good or don't have potential, but because I simply don't have the willpower to sit down and finish and/or rewrite a piece. I guess I'm just not passionate enough about writing to be a professional.<br /><br />Finally, I agree with Cavett. More often than not the initial wording is the best. I can rewrite something a dozen times and then say, I like the first way better. I believe Ken alluded to this in a previous blog. <br /><br />Once again I apologize for the length of this post. <br />M.B. Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42583877717105331512019-08-16T10:54:33.707-07:002019-08-16T10:54:33.707-07:00Thomas Harris, JRR Tolkien and George RR Martin ar...Thomas Harris, JRR Tolkien and George RR Martin are amazed to learn from Tom Wolfe are amazed to learn they are dancers and not writers.<br /><br />Is this the "The Right Stuff" Tom Wolfe or the "Look Homeward Angel" Tom Wolfe? Oh wait. Wolfe's first draft of "Look Homeward Angel" was 1100 pages long. He didn't knock that out in 8 weeks. Must be the other one, the hack "journalist".D McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-27830997381320158762019-08-16T10:51:46.461-07:002019-08-16T10:51:46.461-07:00Was Jane Leeves' real-life pregnancy in season...Was Jane Leeves' real-life pregnancy in season 8 of FRASIER, used comically as Daphne having an eating disorder, a deliberate wink to the silly way Shelley Long's pregnancy was covered up in season 3 of CHEERS? Obviously, it wasn't meant to fool anyone, but was it an homage?Frank Beansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-44017399102625433162019-08-16T10:34:30.587-07:002019-08-16T10:34:30.587-07:00I do know that "Goodbye Radar" was origi...I do know that "Goodbye Radar" was originally written for the end of season 7 of MASH, but the network decided it would be a better ratings grabber to save it for the next season.<br /><br />Was Gary Burghoff really as pissed off as he seemed to be during this two-part episode? Unlike before, he looks all of his 36-some years, clearly no teenager from Iowa, and like he wants to get it over with and get the fuck out of there. Any notable tension on the set over this?<br /><br />Still a brilliant episode. Season 8 is where MASH should have retired with a nearly perfect record.Frank Beansnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2391019676259275912019-08-16T10:16:00.709-07:002019-08-16T10:16:00.709-07:00Interestingly, the contemporary series, The Marvel...Interestingly, the contemporary series, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, has been criticized precisely because the main character ignores her kids a lot.thomas tuckernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14162087436091470072019-08-16T10:10:32.024-07:002019-08-16T10:10:32.024-07:00Are you going to eventually tell us about your big...Are you going to eventually tell us about your big project.sanfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06580867647162091670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68514251791143860822019-08-16T10:07:43.896-07:002019-08-16T10:07:43.896-07:00Aside from the Baby gimmick, there is this pointed...Aside from the Baby gimmick, there is this pointed comment from 1975:<br /><br />"Next week, 'The National Lampoon Radio Hour' will pretend to move to *California*!"Craig Gustafsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503925766039307551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-23126975780772001732019-08-16T09:53:31.158-07:002019-08-16T09:53:31.158-07:00It's not just babies that cause problems for s...It's not just babies that cause problems for sitcom stories, but children in general. THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW seemed to deal with this by just pretending Richie didn't exist in several episodes. For instance in "The Redcoats are Coming" when Rob agrees to hide a Beatle-like duo in his home overnight, Richie is simply not there. No mention of him being away at scout camp or anything like that. It would have been easy enough to explain his absence with one line; I always wondered why they didn't do it.Garynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64377224840075178992019-08-16T09:39:03.495-07:002019-08-16T09:39:03.495-07:00The massive public interest in the I LOVE LUCY pre...The massive public interest in the I LOVE LUCY pregnancy storyline started the ball rolling for the many later shows who tried to repeat the "baby" thread to much lesser success, though it may have been so long ago that the scripters now resorting to it may not remember where the idea started.E. Yarbernoreply@blogger.com