tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8506606990684589550..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Who pays for stunt casting?By Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-17270318736316016892012-11-20T09:11:45.245-08:002012-11-20T09:11:45.245-08:00Joss Whedon tells writers, "Cut what you love...Joss Whedon tells writers, "Cut what you love", the idea being that when a story runs into trouble, be willing to remove your favourite scene for the good of the piece as a whole. Do you have any examples of when you have found this to be a useful approach?Stephennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-39293299213736563962012-11-20T05:27:47.542-08:002012-11-20T05:27:47.542-08:00Question: what do you think about Up All Night swi...Question: what do you think about Up All Night switching from single camera to multi camera? Has anything like this been done before? As a fan, I can't help but think it will be a disaster. As an aspiring writer, I'm curious to see how they pull it off. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17522490630522046988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-45792620180008345802012-11-19T16:05:53.690-08:002012-11-19T16:05:53.690-08:00Poly: I've noticed BIG BANG occasionally leave...Poly: I've noticed BIG BANG occasionally leaves break-ups in if they're not too "big." Most recently, Mayim Bialik inadvertently chuckled mid-sentence (might have been that same episode; she was talking about playing "Operation") and then unsuccessfully tried to suppress a grin. I like it, as it gives the show a small sense of "real."<br /><br /><br />cadavranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72776809471191644372012-11-19T13:34:32.458-08:002012-11-19T13:34:32.458-08:00Ken:
A submission for Friday questions:
What wou...Ken:<br /><br />A submission for Friday questions:<br /><br />What would you do to turn around NBC's fortunes? <br /><br />Ler's say you've been tapped to be the network's head programmer. What would you change? What would you keep? What would you do that the other networks aren't doing that would set your network apart?<br /><br />Love the blog, and I'm really interested in what you have to say.<br /><br />JimJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09772960584096868507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-21521893541229203452012-11-18T12:18:03.100-08:002012-11-18T12:18:03.100-08:00As for stunt casting, my favorite is Betty Ford...As for stunt casting, my favorite is Betty Ford's double-take when she finds out she's talking on the phone to "Mary...Queen of Scots."Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33163360240820774562012-11-18T12:13:47.377-08:002012-11-18T12:13:47.377-08:00Wow, it's been 15 years since Ellen came out? ... <br />Wow, it's been 15 years since Ellen came out? Time flies. Leaving aside all the cultural ramifications of that decision, I personally think the show itself improved artistically when she did that. It gave the show, and her character, a focus, which it didn't have up to that point. I've heard people say the show got less funny, but I don't recall it being all that funny before she made that decision. And I found the Emma Thompson episode truly hilarious. Kirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155991693956178030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47571338917778263032012-11-18T06:47:55.334-08:002012-11-18T06:47:55.334-08:00Thanks a lot Ken for your answer of my friday ques...Thanks a lot Ken for your answer of my friday question!! Very helpful!<br /><br />Cheers<br />LisaLisa Muldrinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-84935792959394160952012-11-17T12:04:55.164-08:002012-11-17T12:04:55.164-08:00Dbenson: My favorite such stunt casting was in an ...Dbenson: My favorite such stunt casting was in an episode of the short-lived 1979 CBS series CALIFORNIA FEVER. The gang got word that a certain popular singer was going to be coming around. I can still hear Eric Laneuville enthusiastically exclaiming, "Wow! Rex Smith on OUR beach?"jbryantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-89993361115577789492012-11-16T21:58:42.763-08:002012-11-16T21:58:42.763-08:00Wow! There's at least two guys named Derek in ...Wow! There's at least two guys named Derek in Calgary who read Ken's Blog. Whoda thiunk it?RyderDAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00980791636129598607noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65713965161048875102012-11-16T19:05:50.666-08:002012-11-16T19:05:50.666-08:00@Matthew, Thanks for sharing that link. A very int...@Matthew, Thanks for sharing that link. A very interesting read!Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-19753711739610204752012-11-16T15:39:35.092-08:002012-11-16T15:39:35.092-08:00"Today there seems to be less of a stigma att...<i>"Today there seems to be less of a stigma attached (thank goodness) to someone declaring he’s gay"</i><br /><br />Or she's gay, as it was a well-loved comedienne doing just exactly that 15 years ago that made that change happen.<br /><br />I've never used a old boy friend's name for a character name, though I did use an old girl friend's name (35 years ago, I still shagged girls too) for a minor character's name in <i>My Lush Life</i>, but it was affectionate as I still like her. I have, however, quite deliberately, used the name of an aunt of mine (Dad's big sister, and I do mean <i>big</i>) whom I loathed (now dead) for the name of the psychotic, serial-killer villainess of the book I have coming out next year. Only a handful of my cousins will get it, and only two of them will be offended by it, but it amused me.<br /><br />My favorite version of this was a gay porn star I know of who took as his porn name the name of a bully who used to beat him up in high school. Now <i>that</i> is a sublime revenge.<br /><br />Matthew Broderick's appearance on <i>Modern Family</i> this week ended forever the crush I used to have on him. Wow, have his looks gone! The doughy body was not the worst, it was the plump, doughy face. Matt, what happened? You were still beautiful as recently as <i>The Producers</i>.D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-1455738652647074232012-11-16T13:57:38.163-08:002012-11-16T13:57:38.163-08:00Hey Ken , you might enjoy this from the UK's D...Hey Ken , you might enjoy this from the UK's Daily Telegraph - Cheers' Funniest Lines. <br />http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/9668268/Cheers-funniest-lines.htmlMacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3822323886021380602012-11-16T13:28:11.177-08:002012-11-16T13:28:11.177-08:00Thanks for answering my question. I was hoping tha...Thanks for answering my question. I was hoping that would be the answer you'd give.YEKIMIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01921751875397071034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57586305511974054002012-11-16T12:19:04.407-08:002012-11-16T12:19:04.407-08:00Some of your readers may be interested in this blo...Some of your readers may be interested in this blog entry from the creator of the Dane Cook show that was just cancelled before it ever aired.<br /><br />http://stephenfalk.tumblr.com/post/35855069744/advice-to-young-tv-writers-but-really-what-happenedMatthewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-789951462091782442012-11-16T11:58:10.281-08:002012-11-16T11:58:10.281-08:00Favorite examples of old-school stunt casting: Bri...Favorite examples of old-school stunt casting: Bring in a celebrity to play his/herself; then the episode has the cast reacting as if said celebrity is way bigger than in real life: A lesser Jackson brother is as big as Michael at his peak; a game show host causes old ladies to scream at the supermarket; and suddenly the most important thing in a sitcom cast's life it watching another sitcom, so a visit from The Actor Who Plays the Star's Sidekick is a huge deal. Dbensonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-34669513667159079732012-11-16T09:35:19.899-08:002012-11-16T09:35:19.899-08:00I was going to write with my congratulations after...I was going to write with my congratulations after seeing the headline "Levine Lead People's Choices" in the LA Times this morning. But then I realized it was pronounced Levine and not Levine. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87766153716264807942012-11-16T09:27:46.916-08:002012-11-16T09:27:46.916-08:00Ken, Thanks for answering my question!
Here's...Ken, Thanks for answering my question!<br /><br />Here's another for you:<br />Digital technology for films has come a long way (and is still going). There's now famous examples of bringing a dead actor back to play a role. Or making old actors look young. <br /><br />(Marlon Brando for Superman Returns, and Patrick Stweart/Ian Mckellen for X-Men 3)<br /><br />If the technology progresses could you imagine a sort of "perfect sitcom"? Wherein you can put together a dream cast and have them speak any kinds of lines you'd like? What would be your story line and actors in their roles? <br /><br />Would it be:<br />A head strong, Mary Tyler Moore and a young brash Ted Danson, fight for work and fight for love where they work as puppeteers behind the scenes of Shari Lewis' kid's tv show.<br /><br />Imagine: The News Room meets Lamb Chop meets Larry Sanders Show.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09781645834822180896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43096888107079906742012-11-16T08:39:06.759-08:002012-11-16T08:39:06.759-08:00Ken,
About actor names, did the Charles brothers ...Ken,<br /><br />About actor names, did the Charles brothers get it that their good name "Sam Malone" was also "Sam Alone" when they wrote the pilot? Considering the end of the series and that last shot of Sam alone, it was perfect.<br />Max Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07706524941272103444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-42793727258030492892012-11-16T08:38:06.511-08:002012-11-16T08:38:06.511-08:00Did you ever get to work with Gordon Jump?Did you ever get to work with Gordon Jump?Michael Stoffelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-80331771311759669692012-11-16T08:22:50.308-08:002012-11-16T08:22:50.308-08:00If an athlete, politician, or other non-actor appe...If an athlete, politician, or other non-actor appears on a show (one involving acting), do they have to join SAG or a similar union or do they get a temporary pass? Do people like Judge Judy have to join a performer's union? <br /><br />Thanks for a great blog.Cap'n Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11783977137812876489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11447006342664471462012-11-16T08:16:34.215-08:002012-11-16T08:16:34.215-08:00I saw a recent episode of Big Bang Theory where it...I saw a recent episode of Big Bang Theory where it's a series of really short unconnected scenes where they're playing a series of games against each other to see if Sheldon could win anything. The last contest is a pie-eating contest with faces planted deep in pie plates,so huge mess for everyone. Just before they face plant, Kaley Cuoco has a very self-conscious look out at producers or audience, the fourth wall essentially. Not a blooper per se, but I've never seen such an obvious slip make it the screen. Would you let it go or make them reshoot the face plant? <br /><br />PolyWogg PolyWogghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239033481272527855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-11167273025819611022012-11-16T08:03:24.834-08:002012-11-16T08:03:24.834-08:00When an actor exits a scene or they are not in a p...When an actor exits a scene or they are not in a particular scene, where are they? Do they go out and watch the scene? I'm of course referring to a show shot with an audience. Carsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62350750942187512102012-11-16T07:06:25.923-08:002012-11-16T07:06:25.923-08:00I remember reading how the producers of "Taxi...I remember reading how the producers of "Taxi" had to cajole ABC to kick in $5,000 to land Ruth Gordon to guest star on an episode. If you've seen the episode, you'll probably agree that it was well worth it. chalmersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68678470179188722842012-11-16T06:44:01.002-08:002012-11-16T06:44:01.002-08:00Hi Ken. I have a question about "imitator&qu...Hi Ken. I have a question about "imitator" shows--you know, the shows that appear in the wake of a hit show, where it's clear that everyone else is trying to copy the success of the previous show. Examples include all the FRIENDS knockoffs in the mid-90s (remember TWO GUYS, A GIRL, AND A PIZZA PLACE?) or, more recently, NEW NORMAL, which is so clearly a knockoff of MODERN FAMILY. <br /><br />How do these knockoffs come about? Do the networks go out and find a production/writing team that can put together a pilot? Or do they make more of an effort to find scripts that are already out there and fit the desired mold--i.e., the supply is there, but the networks have more of a demand for it? And which type of show, in your experience, has the better chance of succeeding? <br /><br />Bill Jonesnoreply@blogger.com