tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post7440560408311634201..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: RIP Bob SchillerBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73003195682141118742017-10-13T00:01:42.648-07:002017-10-13T00:01:42.648-07:00When I read the NYT obit I knew to come here for, ...When I read the NYT obit I knew to come here for, in the words of Paul Harvey, the rest of the story. Neither you, Ken, nor the commenters disappoint.Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-83890014556309238152017-10-12T23:13:36.148-07:002017-10-12T23:13:36.148-07:00Scott's Funny You Should Ask oral histories of...Scott's Funny You Should Ask oral histories of sitcom writers is really good.<br /><br />Interviews with <br />Allan Burns<br />Arnold Margolin<br />Austin Kalish<br />Bernie Orenstein<br />Bill Persky<br />Bob Carroll Jr.<br />Bob Schiller<br />Carl Kleinschmitt<br />David Lloyd<br />Ed Scharlach<br />Elroy Schwartz<br />Fred Freeman<br />Irma Kalish<br />Jack Elinson<br />Jerry Mayer<br />Jim Parker<br />Lilia Garrett<br />Madeylyn Davis<br />Paul Wayne<br />Rick Mittleman<br />Sam Bobrick<br />Sam Denoff<br />Saul Turteltaub<br /><br />The writers were interviewed separately but put together on the page on common topics. (this is the only way to get a bunch of comedy writers together and not have them constantly interrupting each other)<br /><br />Topics include their first break. Their biggest successes. And the showss that didn't quite make it. Collaboration. Retiring. And more.<br /><br />It also includes their flops and the actors they didn't like.<br /><br />I was especially interested in the legendary David Lloyd, who didn't do many interviews.<br /><br />Here's two David Lloyd trivia questions answered in the book. <br /><br />What was the one improvement the Mary Tyler Moore room gave him on his first draft of "Chuckles Bites the Dust"?<br /><br />What was the one joke of someone else's he wished he wrote?Wagnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43615907334476591382017-10-12T09:05:48.925-07:002017-10-12T09:05:48.925-07:00cadavra, I understand the family has requested mem...cadavra, I understand the family has requested memorial donations be made in Bob's name to the ACLU, so don't sweat it. And, as another famed comedy writer noted, not that there's anything wrong with that...VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4522406570004617722017-10-11T23:35:24.317-07:002017-10-11T23:35:24.317-07:00We were all seated at the same table at that weddi...We were all seated at the same table at that wedding, Ken, and I was stunned to be in his presence. I thought about asking for a photo, but I wussed out. The most memorable moment, though, came when he and his lovely wife Sabrina thought that I and the friend sitting next to me were a (gay) couple! To be honest, I don't think either of us were flattered, but we sure were amused, and making Bob Schiller laugh was certainly a scrapbook moment.cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-78375902424184877502017-10-11T19:50:31.717-07:002017-10-11T19:50:31.717-07:00I remember the first ep that the two Bobs wrote of...I remember the first ep that the two Bobs wrote of "All in the Family". It was the season opener of what would be the final one for the entire original cast. It was called "Edith's 50th Birthday" in which that character, before going to the house next door for her party, gets nearly raped by a young man looking for thrills. There were some laughs concerning her initial reactions but when it got serious, it was quite heartbreaking. Good thing she had a roast in the oven in order to put in his face before leaving the house! The second half-hour seemed padded to have Archie and Mike doing some shtick about confronting that guy who never came back so it wasn't completely successful in keeping the laughs while also trying to be dramatic but this was a good first one by Schiller and Weiskoff, otherwise. tavmnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-79495329784232335982017-10-11T17:11:57.545-07:002017-10-11T17:11:57.545-07:00If there were a Mount Rushmore for comedy writers,...If there were a Mount Rushmore for comedy writers, the Bobs would have to be up there.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45336537723178915602017-10-11T14:01:42.833-07:002017-10-11T14:01:42.833-07:00::: Friday Question :::
Sometimes there are episo...::: Friday Question :::<br /><br />Sometimes there are episodes where an established cast character isn't in the episode/script. For example, "The Late Captain Pierce" from 1975. Radar isn't in the episode even though it would be four more seasons before he left. <br /><br />Are these absentees scheduled in advance? Or is it a "last minute" thing where a script had to be adjusted/rewritten to accommodate? Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00107309396839340695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-85644151211508978032017-10-11T13:43:43.241-07:002017-10-11T13:43:43.241-07:00Obviously, I've only seen I.L.L. in reruns, bu...Obviously, I've only seen I.L.L. in reruns, but I been watching my entire life. A couple of days ago DECADES ran episodes of My Little Margie. The only reason I bring that up is because when you consider Lucy in the context of the other sitcoms that were on at the same time, it stands even taller. I'm glad to hear that Schiller was a good guy. I can't remember the exact quite, but it had something to do with, 'don't meet your heros...' His legacy will last forever.Mike Bloodworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04755626259169126800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42677997584601069302017-10-11T13:43:09.842-07:002017-10-11T13:43:09.842-07:00So sorry. I wish writers would get the notoriety t...So sorry. I wish writers would get the notoriety they deserve during and after their lifetimes - William Goldman has a ONE PARAGRAPH bio on IMDB! Those I LOVE LUCY episodes you mentioned are among my favorites.VincentSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-73078685694971169152017-10-11T12:57:28.577-07:002017-10-11T12:57:28.577-07:00Scott,
If you send me a copy I'd be happy to ...Scott,<br /><br />If you send me a copy I'd be happy to review the book for the blog. You can get in touch with me at HollywoodLevine@outlook.com.By Ken Levinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63089039239416969782017-10-11T10:34:27.763-07:002017-10-11T10:34:27.763-07:00The Bobs also contributed to two episodes that are...The Bobs also contributed to two episodes that are personal favorites: "Lucy and Superman" -- remember the climactic line George Reeves spoke to Desi, after learning that he was married to Lucy for 17 years: "And they call *me* Superman!" <br /><br />The other was "Lucy Meets the Mustache," the very last LUCY DESI COMEDY HOUR, where Ernie Kovacs just steals the show out from Lucy. The only other episode I recall that happening was the one with Harpo MarxMike McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06369457898152250682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-82968907236603725052017-10-11T09:21:47.635-07:002017-10-11T09:21:47.635-07:00What an incredible legacy. Thanks for the recollec...What an incredible legacy. Thanks for the recollection, Ken.VP81955https://www.blogger.com/profile/11792390726196611188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5689682723159132592017-10-11T08:45:10.694-07:002017-10-11T08:45:10.694-07:00The interview is part of my book, Funny You Should...The interview is part of my book, Funny You Should Ask. Meeting someone I had admired since childhood was definitely the highlight of the process. <br /><br />https://www.amazon.com/Funny-You-Should-Ask-Storytellers/dp/0786471484/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1507736609&sr=8-2&keywords=funny+you+should+askScottnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-70120866865985630972017-10-11T08:37:55.486-07:002017-10-11T08:37:55.486-07:00Hi Ken,
Do you know Bob's son, Tom, who was a...Hi Ken,<br /><br />Do you know Bob's son, Tom, who was an original SNL writer and who went on to be its in-house filmmaker for the early '80s and '90s? D. Robbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-10583273120568044082017-10-11T08:33:27.854-07:002017-10-11T08:33:27.854-07:00Scott, is this interview online to watch or read?Scott, is this interview online to watch or read?The Bumble Bee Pendanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11782074071758250824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-29052820643396053992017-10-11T07:29:30.758-07:002017-10-11T07:29:30.758-07:00I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Schiller i...I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Schiller in 2001. He was indeed very nice. The body of work speaks for itself.Scottnoreply@blogger.com