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There always seems to be a raging debate whenever I bring up Jenna Elfman. As you know, I'm a fan. Here's an example of why; an episode I directed her in. I think she's very funny, regardless of what whacko religion she believes in. Of the DHARMA & GREGS I directed ( helmed, megged ), this ...
Other
Jenna Elfman
Aloha from Hawaii. Taking a break from surfing those 100 foot waves to answer a Friday question or three. From Charlotte: I've been hearing this as a rumor for decades, that there was a C storyline written into every episode of M*A*S*H specifically so that it could be cleanly cut out to ...
Drama
Off to Hawaii where so many great television shows have been filmed. It’s not just BIG WAVE DAVE’S. There have been others. Speaking of “ others ”, LOST films there. They’re probably close to concluding the series. If I see a giant blinding light and suddenly I’m in 1945 I’ll know why. But ...
Other
There's Tiger's story and TMZ's story. You decide. This is from a Taiwanese news show. It's pretty damn definitive if you ask me.
Drama
TMZ
Crash
Anyone who has been producing TV series for any length of time will have similar stories. They can look back at actors they worked with or hired that since became big names. Here are some of mine. Shelley Long – played a nurse once in MASH when I was there. I don’t remember much except she ...
Drama
A holiday tradition is A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and we pretty much have a Mad Man to thank for it. John Allen was a Don Draper at McCann-Erickson in the mid 60s. On behalf of Coca-Cola he was lobbying for Charlie Brown. It would be the first animated adaptation of Charles M. Schultz’s ...
Animation
Charlie Brown Christmas
CBS
Mad Men
You know it’s the holiday season when there are James Bond marathons on every cable network except Oxygen. Caught one I hadn’t seen in years – THUNDERBALL from 1965. I saw it originally at Grauman’s Chinese Theater on the big BIG screen. I remember loving it at the time. From the stirring ...
Comedy
A question I’m always asked is “how do you find a writing partner?”. I met mine in the army but I sure don’t recommend that method. The WGA has come up with a nifty idea. Speed Dating. Just like the social version with the same success rate of getting laid. Every so often the Guild sponsors ...
Comedy
This is believe it or not, a Levine Thanksgiving tradition. It began one year when we had too many desserts and I made the mistake of asking my wife what she wanted to do with the cream pie. Soupy, this one's for you. If you haven't read my left-overs, please check them out before they ...
Other
Our family table on Thanksgiving night… Did anyone notice the Sears commercial on MODERN FAMILY this week? An African-American couple is standing before a store clerk and asking, “Is it Black Friday yet?” B etween that and Fizbo the Clown on MF I had my two biggest laughs of the month. Don't ...
Comedy
It’s Friday Question day – something to read on your cellphone while you stand in line at 5 A.M. waiting for Sears to open. From Ref: The cast of "The Office" consists in large part of many of the show's writers. Is this kind of doubling common? What would the chemistry be like between the ...
Comedy
We all have our own cherished Thanksgiving traditions. Enjoying Grandma’s famous stuffing recipe (which oddly tastes a lot like Stove Top), the game of touch football on the lawn (they still talk about the year Uncle Ed’s stitches came loose), weird cousin Marla’s holiday decorations (festive ...
Other
From Bacharach & David no less. This is from their musical PROMISES PROMISES. There are some brilliant songs in that show and then... there is " Turkey Lurkey Time " and it's even more horrifying than that title. Get ready to throw a drumstick at your monitor. Truly, what were they ...
Other
Thanksgiving. I look forward to the holiday, never writing about it. Every sitcom I’ve ever worked on, we’ve had the obligatory Thanksgiving episode. How many variations can you have on the big family dinner going awry? I think I’ve written the “turkey gets burned”, “relatives clash”, “nutty ...
Comedy
The Bill Engvall Show
Yes, I admit it. I read WRITTEN BY . It’s the WGA’s bi-monthly magazine. Every writer I’ve ever worked for or with has been on the cover at one time or another. I’m the only Guild member I know who hasn’t been featured. So I produced AfterMASH. I didn’t kill anybody, okay?! Still, I always ...
Comedy
Make 'Em Laugh
"I'll take 50 girls in bikinis for a hundred, Alex." Japanese Human Slip-n-Slide - Watch more Funny Videos How has Fox missed this one?
Comedy
50 Cent
The Game
People were camped out in front of the theater in my neighborhood for three days to see the first showing of NEW MOON. Uh, it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime event or concert. It’s a MOVIE. It stays the same. It’s not like if you wait until next week Nancy Pelosi and Joe Lieberman will be playing ...
Comedy
The Thanksgiving holiday is the peak travel weekend of the year (in America. The rest of the world could give a rat’s ass about Thanksgiving.) So as a public service, here again -- and with a few additions -- are some travel tips: Leave for the airport NOW. Don't wait until the last week . ...
Comedy
It's Friday Question Day on Saturday. Also an excuse to show an episode of BECKER I wrote and directed. LeeFranke wonders: "Who is playing guitar between the scenes on TV's Becker?" I asked the source, Bruce Miller, who composed the theme and did all the music on BECKER (along with FRASIER ...
