By Ken Levine

Episode 326: The WGA Strike

2023-05-30T12:28:00.004-07:00

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!

EP325: In honor of James Corden “Signing Off”

2023-05-17T21:09:00.003-07:00

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.

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EP324: More with Preston Beckman and the state of TV

2023-05-10T21:06:00.002-07:00

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.

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EP323: The current (for now) state of Television

2023-05-03T21:06:00.004-07:00

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.

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EP322: More with Nicholas Meyer

2023-04-26T21:32:00.002-07:00

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.

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EP321: Meet award-winning writer/director, Nicholas Meyer

2023-04-19T21:17:00.002-07:00

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.”

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EP320: Ship of Fools

2023-04-12T21:10:00.002-07:00

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.

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EP319: Meet actress/writer Penny Peyser

2023-04-05T21:13:00.002-07:00

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.

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EP318: Take Two with Director, Pam Fryman

2023-03-30T05:58:00.002-07:00

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

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EP317: Meet Sitcom Director, Pam Fryman

2023-03-22T21:07:00.002-07:00

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.

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EP316: Meet Cool Bobby Backman

2023-03-15T21:06:00.001-07:00

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.

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You're invited to my play reading -- it's THIS SATURDAY

2023-03-09T00:53:00.000-08:00

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 will be a talkback after. For me, it's a great chance to meet my blog readers and podcast listeners. Hope to see you Saturday. Thanks.

Ken

EP315: Misadventures in Rewriting

2023-03-08T21:07:00.001-08:00

The wild ride that was rewriting JEWEL OF THE NILE starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It’s a crazy and typical Hollywood story.

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EP314: More answers to your questions

2023-03-01T21:09:00.001-08:00

Ken answers listener questions involving writing, directing, the industry, and more. If you have a question, email it to HollywoodLevine@outlook.com.

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Come to my play reading

2023-02-27T18:22:00.002-08:00

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 talkback where you can ask “what the hell was I thinkin’?" Seating is very limited (only 45 seats). It’s “pay what you want.” Just go to this email to reserve your seats. Thanks, and I hope to see you there.

rsvp@estlosangeles.org

EP313: Celebrity guests on CHEERS

2023-02-22T21:07:00.001-08:00

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.

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EP312: Comedy Misdirection

2023-02-15T21:06:00.001-08:00

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.

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EP311: Another Free Association Podcast

2023-02-08T21:13:00.001-08:00

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.

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EP310: Getting feedback

2023-02-01T21:07:00.001-08:00

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.

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EP309: Location shooting in LA

2023-01-25T21:07:00.001-08:00

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.

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You're invited to me free play reading!!

2023-01-19T10:23:00.003-08:00

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 laughs as I can in 90 minutes. And seriously, who isn't longing for the holiday season already?

I’ve put together a GREAT cast that includes Lynne Stewart, Harry Murphy, Elizabeth Saydah, Mark Hoffmeier, Leah Knauer , Arman Hovsepian, and Nancy Linari.

If you would like to go, please reserve seats by going to this email address:

farcedayofchristmas@gmail.com

Here’s the theatre’s address:

Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045.

There will also be free snacks and beverages, a talk-back after, and we’ll raffle off three copies of James Burrow’s book. And it’s a Sunday night. What the hell else ya got going?

Thanks much. Hope to see you on Feb. 5. And you people from Europe, I really appreciate you flying in for this.

Ken

EP308: I Sang That

2023-01-18T21:06:00.001-08:00

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

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EP307: The singer you’ve heard a thousand times but don’t know

2023-01-11T21:14:00.001-08:00

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

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EP306: January Questions

2023-01-04T21:12:00.001-08:00

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

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EP305: Remembering Kirstie Alley

2022-12-14T21:07:00.001-08:00

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

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