Episode 326: The WGA Strike
One by one, Ken goes over the many issues the WGA is fighting for and why they’re important. He also gives an overview of the situation and how it might play out. More podcasts at WAVE: Click here!
By Ken Levine
The world as seen by a TV comedy writer
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EP325: In honor of James Corden “Signing Off”
Ken wrote a one-act play about a late night host “signing off” that was performed by EST Los Angeles at the Atwater Theatre starring Nick Ullett and Clayton Ferris, directed by Tony Pasquilini. As James Corden exits his late night show, we reprise that play. To be enjoyed anytime of the day. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426
EP324: More with Preston Beckman and the state of TV
As the television business continues to change on a daily basis, longtime media exec, Preston Beckman, gives you an overview of just where things currently stand. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP323: The current (for now) state of Television
Preston Beckman is a longtime media executive who has helped shape what you’ve watched for over 35 years. He’s back to discuss the current state of TV — its evolution, various platforms, and recent developments. Part one of two. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP322: More with Nicholas Meyer
Several movies that Nicholas Meyer directed are spotlighted this week including the incredible story of how STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KAHN came together. Oh, and Ken’s film, VOLUNTEERS is also discussed. Great stories from a great guest. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP321: Meet award-winning writer/director, Nicholas Meyer
The multi-talented Nicholas Meyer has written such novels as “the 7% Solution” and has directed such great movies as “Time After Time” and for my money, the single best Star Trek movie — “Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Kahn.” And those are just a few of his many credits. Now he can add “fascinating guest.” More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426…
EP320: Ship of Fools
Ken describes the hilarious misadventure of his first family cruise on the floating trailer park that is Carnival cruise lines. It’s an amusing and cautionary tale. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP319: Meet actress/writer Penny Peyser
The ups and downs of being a working actor in Hollywood. Being in one of the funniest movies ever made and being in an Oscar winner despite Robert Redford wanting her off the picture are just two of the many stories this week with Penny Peyser. And she throws in some sonnets! A fun episode to be sure. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426…
EP318: Take Two with Director, Pam Fryman
More with one of the top sitcom directors in television, Pam Fryman. Among the topics this week: dealing with actors and notably stars, dealing with showrunners, and directing live television. And how I pulled a prank on NBC while directing my first episode. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP317: Meet Sitcom Director, Pam Fryman
This week and next, Ken talks to one of the premier sitcom directors in television. 34 episodes of FRASIER, 95 episodes of JUST SHOOT ME, and 196 episodes of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER are just some of her many credits. Learn sitcom directing from one of the masters. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP316: Meet Cool Bobby Backman
Bob Backman is a fascinating guy who lives two lives — a highly respected broadcast executive and a rock n’ roll disc jockey (one of the last). It’s an episode about the value of passion and hustle and how to succeed in any field. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
You're invited to my play reading -- it's THIS SATURDAY
For LA peeps and those willing to fly in: I'm having a reading of my new full-length comedy, LOVE AND TEAR GAS this Saturday at 4 pm at the Atwater Theatre in Atwater (of all places). It's set in the turbulent 60s and is a comedy that actually wants to get laughs. Lots of them. Above is my cast. A few tickets still remain. Pay what you want. Here's the link. Click here to order your tickets. There…
EP315: Misadventures in Rewriting
The wild ride that was rewriting JEWEL OF THE NILE starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It’s a crazy and typical Hollywood story. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP314: More answers to your questions
Ken answers listener questions involving writing, directing, the industry, and more. If you have a question, email it to HollywoodLevine@outlook.com . More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
Come to my play reading
I’m having a reading of my new full-length comedy, LOVE AND TEAR GAS on Saturday, March 11th at 4 PM at the Atwater Theatre as part of EST’s Winterfest 2023. I had a reading of this play last December that went extremely well. And I’ve revised it since then to hopefully make it better and funnier. Same great cast. Elizabeth Saydah, Dino Shorte, Chris Reiling, Harry Murphy. There will also be a…
EP313: Celebrity guests on CHEERS
Many celebrities stepped into the bar. Here are some of the stories about those appearances. Celebs included Johnny Carson, “Data,” Alex Trebek, Ethel Kennedy, Kevin McHale, an Oscar winner, the Speaker of the House, two presidential candidates, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a future FRIEND and more. More podcasts at WAVE:…
EP312: Comedy Misdirection
Ken discusses a comedy trope that, if constructed correctly, can result in every sentence getting a laugh. Also included is an example — one of Ken’s ten-minute plays. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP311: Another Free Association Podcast
Ken just riffs about anything. Starting with his thoughts on NIGHT COURT and ending with the Boston Strangler… with stories about TV and radio and whatnot in between. It’s the podcast for people who like variety or have short attention spans. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP310: Getting feedback
Writing 101 is back in session. Ken discusses getting feedback — the who, what, and when of it. Valuable tips for making your script/play/novel/shopping list better. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP309: Location shooting in LA
After a recent Eddie Murphy car chase and crash outside his house, Ken decided to devote an episode to location shooting in Los Angeles. It’s one of the perks and curses of living in LA. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
You're invited to me free play reading!!
The Westchester Playhouse (conveniently located near LAX) is considering a full production of my holiday play, ON THE FARCE DAY OF CHRISTMAS and has arranged for a reading of it on Sunday, February 5th at 7 pm. YOU'RE invited and it's FREE!!! Unlike some of my other plays where I weave in social commentary and existential dilemmas, this one has none of that. I’m just trying to cram in as many…
EP308: I Sang That
More with session singer, Sally Stevens. Among the topics discussed: touring and writing with Burt Bacharach, thoughts on Karen Carpenter, a great Steven Spielberg story, singing for THE SIMPSONS, twenty years on the Oscars, and singing a duet with Frank Sinatra, which you will hear. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood…
EP307: The singer you’ve heard a thousand times but don’t know
Ken’s guest is Sally Stevens, a “session singer” who has sung on hundreds of hit songs, movie soundtracks, TV shows, the Grammys, the Oscars, commercials, and more. What’s it like to work with Sinatra? And get ready for a bizarre Danny Kaye story. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP306: January Questions
The podcast version of Ken’s popular blog feature, “Friday Questions.” Ken answers questions posed by the listeners. Topics include TV, writing, music concerts, and Neil Simon… along with some opinions on the current state of comedy. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!
EP305: Remembering Kirstie Alley
Ken’s tribute and loving memories of working with the wonderful, talented, and somewhat kooky Kirstie Alley for six years on CHEERS. More podcasts at WAVE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/artist/wave-podcast-network/1437831426 Listen to the Hollywood & Levine podcast!