tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post8992454138675330672..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: Friday QuestionsBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-53593930223477651442016-07-21T06:47:57.938-07:002016-07-21T06:47:57.938-07:00"This is why a lot of comedy writers team up....<i>"This is why a lot of comedy writers team up. They combine their strengths and minimize their weaknesses."</i><br /><br />Do you and David have any strengths and weaknesses that complement each other? And if you don't now, did you when you started?Johnny Walkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13302545167970532080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47554419030374742862016-07-16T15:56:14.257-07:002016-07-16T15:56:14.257-07:00Again, one of the main problems is YouTube clearly...Again, one of the main problems is YouTube clearly caters to the big partner channels, and not the smaller channels like mine. For instance, YouTube retired tags (keywords) a couple of years ago, so that's a blow right there, because no matter what keywords you tag on your uploads, they won't show up in search results. That's one problem. Really, like anything else, it mostly all boils down to money: you put money in YouTube's pocket, they'll promote and advertise you; otherwise, you're essentially nonexistent on YouTube. And I'm not about to put any money in their pocket, considering they're owned by Google, and Google's the Hitler of the internet - they've been screwing us over for too many years to get any support from me.Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-57508243667250861512016-07-16T13:36:27.966-07:002016-07-16T13:36:27.966-07:00Joseph Scarborough Said:
"Back when I first ...Joseph Scarborough Said:<br /><br />"Back when I first started, and YouTube really was YouTube, I usually got upwards of 100 views and up to 10 or more comments on a new video within 24-hours of upload; since 2013, I'm lucky if I get up to 20 views and maybe 3 generic comments within the first week of uploading a new video....<br />So yeah, YouTube may be on the right, but it's no guarantee that you can become successful that way. I'm tannin'."<br /><br />Uh... I was around when YouTube was first getting going, and was acquainted with quite a few people who became pretty darned successful. I know one guy who dominated youtube just taking still photos on his cell phone. He was a talented comedy writer, and his stuff shined. Everyone loved him. He got shitloads of views from the get-go.<br /><br />If you only managed to get 100 views, and ten comments back in the day, either your video's sucked, or you had zero skills on how to work YouTube world. Or maybe a little of both.<br /><br />I'm not trying to be obnoxious, I'm just telling you the truth.<br /><br />There are strategic ways to get views, if you pay attention to what's going on around you, you can figure some of it out. Again, that's assuming your vids don't suck. If they do, then the problem isn't being seen on YouTube. Your problem would be actually BEING seen on YouTube.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-43037477658297406862016-07-16T07:06:31.069-07:002016-07-16T07:06:31.069-07:00You should watch the Archie Luxury Channel on YouT...You should watch the Archie Luxury Channel on YouTube. High quality content that is!Albert Giesbrechthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17742338183833125104noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58266897261865324142016-07-16T06:01:16.176-07:002016-07-16T06:01:16.176-07:00First, Ken, a thank you for blog. You post every d...First, Ken, a thank you for blog. You post every day and it's always enjoyable. (And you pull reposts from a few years back, so they can be fresh looks for new readers.) It's a regular part of each day, and it would be easy to take it for granted. So thanks.<br /><br />A couple of potential Friday Questions:<br /><br />You mention five tool writers. I'd love (as another poster asked) to hear who you think fits that description, but also which tools do you think you're weakest in and what you or other writers could do to build those into strengths.<br /><br />I just bought the boxed set of IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW, which is almost absurdist (but entertaingingly, to me) in it's self-reference as a TV show. I think of it in the same way as I think of early Letterman. I was just curious about your views on that approach.<br /><br />Thanks!Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-14315224032538387702016-07-16T05:48:50.519-07:002016-07-16T05:48:50.519-07:00It'll be on the CW this Fall.(Why do we call i...It'll be on the CW this Fall.(Why do we call it "the CW"? We don't say "the HBO".)<br /><br />Production is moving to Vancouver, creating international concerns about fewer appearances by Calista Flockhart.Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47887830174657813092016-07-15T23:04:37.082-07:002016-07-15T23:04:37.082-07:00Last year, we were spending a weekend in Vancouver...Last year, we were spending a weekend in Vancouver and we noticed a stage version of Fawlty Towers. We were not particularly familiar with the show, but we watched it that weekend online and then went to the show. It was fun. Mind you, it was a small theater, though a professional Equity theater, with an audience where, I suspect, we were the least familiar with the show. Everyone had a great time.<br /><br />There was a play made of "Yes, Minister" in the UK that led to a reboot of the series after three decades, with the London play's cast.Breadbakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31501872403168844472016-07-15T21:15:15.992-07:002016-07-15T21:15:15.992-07:00Those after-the-show panel discussions: Four peopl...Those after-the-show panel discussions: Four people sitting around and, aside from a few seconds of clarity here or there, they're all shouting over each other. Whatever they're saying must be hilarious because they love to laugh at whatever it is they're saying. Occasionally an actor or staffer from the show will be there, in which case they're all shouting all over each other in the direction at their guest-hostage. I guess people like this, there must be an audience, there's so many of them. They seem pointless to me.Dan B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-36794347602148408872016-07-15T18:19:16.672-07:002016-07-15T18:19:16.672-07:00Not a Friday question but was so excited to hear t...Not a Friday question but was so excited to hear that my favorite podcast How Did This Get Made was doing Mannequin 2. I was going to send my first ever tweet to you in the hopes you could chime in and then was so excited to see that their companion piece slash film is doing an interview! I feel like two of my favorite worlds are colliding! Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14995042204019198573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-24286429984595932422016-07-15T18:16:27.944-07:002016-07-15T18:16:27.944-07:00This has nothing to do with Friday questions but I...This has nothing to do with Friday questions but I was so excited when I saw that my favorite podcast How Did This Get Made was doing Mannequin 2. I immediately thought of you and almost sent out my first ever tweet to alert you to see if you could contribute. I'm so excited to read your interview for the companion slash film piece as I feel my fave blog and podcast worlds are colliding. I can't wait to hear or read what you have to say Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14995042204019198573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-15624529828237404842016-07-15T18:15:44.331-07:002016-07-15T18:15:44.331-07:00This has nothing to do with Friday questions but I...This has nothing to do with Friday questions but I was so excited when I saw that my favorite podcast How Did This Get Made was doing Mannequin 2. I immediately thought of you and almost sent out my first ever tweet to alert you to see if you could contribute. I'm so excited to read your interview for the companion slash film piece as I feel my fave blog and podcast worlds are colliding. I can't wait to hear or read what you have to say Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14995042204019198573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-13046521518970033612016-07-15T16:02:56.493-07:002016-07-15T16:02:56.493-07:00Re: Vince Gilligan. I have listened to his comment...Re: Vince Gilligan. I have listened to his commentary tracks and the podcasts that are available on iTunes (hosted and wrangled by editor Kelley Dixon) for both BREAKING BAD and BETTER CALL SAUL. I have learned a lot about production, but mostly I've learned that Vince is a charming, funny,and modest guy who eagerly gives credit to his colleagues. Cool damn dude.Charles H. Bryannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-3404554097460668542016-07-15T14:21:29.429-07:002016-07-15T14:21:29.429-07:00Friday Question: What are your thoughts about acto...Friday Question: What are your thoughts about actors receiving royalties for having their character mentioned in an episode even if they don't actually appear? For instance, if Frasier refers to Lilith doing something in an episode, and even though Bebe Nuewirth doesn't appear in that episode, I still get to enjoy her "performance" because I can't really imagine any other actor in that role. Its almost like she did perform in that episode.Pat from Salemnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-54199652565506590442016-07-15T13:21:47.626-07:002016-07-15T13:21:47.626-07:00"And the hosts are giant toadies."
When..."And the hosts are giant toadies."<br /><br />When I read the word toadie, I immediately envisioned Scut Farcus's little sidekick, Grover Dill, all grown up and hosting one of these shows. Maybe still as Scut's wingman on the couch. MikeK.Pa.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-20801409189764947752016-07-15T12:56:24.722-07:002016-07-15T12:56:24.722-07:00Are you doing undercover work for the Mariners? If...Are you doing undercover work for the Mariners? If so, it's a little obvious when you leave an identifying calling card:<br /><br />Diekman hits DL after cutting finger on 'Cheers' mug<br /><br />http://www.thescore.com/news/1059775cjdahl60https://www.blogger.com/profile/18410008032151744992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-8353270481697912402016-07-15T12:23:01.365-07:002016-07-15T12:23:01.365-07:00I dunno--people get used to other actors playing p...I dunno--people get used to other actors playing parts when they're exposed to it. Everybody plays Hamlet, but "everybody" plays Sherlock Holmes, too. James Bond was Sean Connery, but enough actors have played him that people don't bat an eyelash every time the part gets recast. Lemmon and Matthau were Felix and Oscar, until it became Randall and Klugman, and it was Carney and Matthau first. And there's the Sunshine Boys. and and and and and.<br /><br />If you had a Cheers play, there would be comparisons, but after awhile people would just accept it, especially after the first few groups broke the ground. Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02753360146107174303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-87482253826723555682016-07-15T11:57:32.110-07:002016-07-15T11:57:32.110-07:00THE AMERICANS had some excellent post-show podcast...THE AMERICANS had some excellent post-show podcasts this year, done by Slate. <br /><br />Peter: years ago the drama critic Walter Kerr had a home screening theater (film!), and one of his friends gave him a row or two of genuine old theater seats that had been ripped out. It looked great - you can see pictures online because he and his wife, the comic writer Jean Kerr, had one of the wackiest houses ever known, and when it went up for sale the local paper did a huge article about it, with a full complement of pictures of its most notable features.<br /><br />wgWendy M. Grossmanhttp://www.pelicancrossing.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-90012768715573271132016-07-15T11:32:00.723-07:002016-07-15T11:32:00.723-07:00Hi Ken,
A Friday question.
When pitching a story...Hi Ken,<br /><br />A Friday question.<br /><br />When pitching a story for a show how much of it do you generally have? Do you come in with a few beats? The act breaks? A very fully detailed outline of the A, B, and C stories? Or somewhere in between? If you're having trouble breaking a story on your own do you ever bring the three sentence pitch to the room to help flush out an idea? Or is that inappropriate? Does it differ depending on the show or the show runner?<br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br /><br />DavidDavidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61578689988756430752016-07-15T10:12:12.497-07:002016-07-15T10:12:12.497-07:00I read somewhere that Jane Leeves wasn't reall...I read somewhere that Jane Leeves wasn't really interested in a revival. (I don't know where I read that, but if I'm wrong, then good.)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18119151986422812833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-38435571051317471242016-07-15T09:43:45.341-07:002016-07-15T09:43:45.341-07:00Speaking of baseball.
I'm a fan of the 2001 f...Speaking of baseball.<br /><br />I'm a fan of the 2001 film "Bleacher Bums".<br /><br />Then I found this rare Chicago performance for their local WTTW channel 11, starring the writer, Joe Mantegna and actor Dennis Franz.<br /><br />https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siVUq-NGNzkHiram Bithornnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-58331820828481373942016-07-15T08:52:46.624-07:002016-07-15T08:52:46.624-07:00Ken, I was just on the IMDB home page and saw a mo...Ken, I was just on the IMDB home page and saw a movie that opens today in the States which you might want to check out. It's a baseball comedy called Undrafted. Surprisingly, it's written and directed by Joseph Mazzello, best known for playing the annoying boy in Jurassic Park.<br /><br />http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3172126 <br /><br />Though, having had a quick look online, it doesn't seem to be getting great reviews.Peternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-88676286236517055372016-07-15T08:22:19.421-07:002016-07-15T08:22:19.421-07:00"The rise of Youtube and online video means y...<i>"The rise of Youtube and online video means you can be famous no matter where you are."</i><br /><br />Yeah, uh, I've been producing content on YouTube for nearly nine years now, and I'm certainly not famous, and in fact, YouTube has been doing all it can to sweep me - and other small channels - under the rug, in favor of all these big partner channels.<br /><br />YouTube, and the internet in general, is very picky-choosy about who it will allow to be seen by whatever masses there are out there, and believe me, for some people out there like myself, it's a <i>struggle</i> just to be seen. Back when I first started, and YouTube really was <i>You</i>Tube, I usually got upwards of 100 views and up to 10 or more comments on a new video within 24-hours of upload; since 2013, I'm <i>lucky</i> if I get up to 20 views and maybe 3 generic comments within the first week of uploading a new video.<br /><br />If you even look at YouTube right now, notice there's a pattern among what videos and channels are popular right now: they're all reviews. Whether it's standard entertainment reviews like Nostalgia Critic, or countdown videos (top 10 reviews), Let's Plays, or trivia videos, those are the big thing on YouTube right now. And, of course, the channels for TV talk shows, and explicit music videos always get promoted out the wazoo.<br /><br />So yeah, YouTube may be on the right, but it's no guarantee that you can become successful that way. I'm tankin'.Joseph Scarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851086150240380366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66226755090790786292016-07-15T08:18:25.779-07:002016-07-15T08:18:25.779-07:00Friday Question:
Is Supergirl still on?Friday Question:<br /><br />Is Supergirl still on?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-18835068843822665232016-07-15T08:18:18.745-07:002016-07-15T08:18:18.745-07:00FRIDAY QUESTION
So you write a blog post. Two da...FRIDAY QUESTION<br /><br />So you write a blog post. Two days later, a paid newspaper columnist takes EXACTLY the same idea, rewrites it somewhat (but not that much), and puts it up as her own column.<br /><br />http://www.torontosun.com/2016/07/13/rick-moranis-and-10-other-actors-who-should-come-out-of-retirement<br /><br />Is this something that vexes you? Or do you shrug it off and say "that's life"? And did/does anything similar happen in the world of TV?Arthur Meenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-12034897067905602442016-07-15T08:00:44.074-07:002016-07-15T08:00:44.074-07:00Ken, a Friday question with a preamble:
The best a...Ken, a Friday question with a preamble:<br />The best advice I received but did not heed was from a seventh-grade guidance counselor who told our class that now was the time to start developing disciplined study habits, skills that would serve us well in school and beyond.<br />How did you develop the discipline needed to succeed in so many areas - writing/directing/producing/sports announcing/DJ'ing/parenting?Bob Zirunkelnoreply@blogger.com