Hollywood & Levine

David Lee was a showrunner on THE JEFFERSONS and CHEERS and co-creator of WINGS and FRASIER. He’s an Emmy winning writer/director/producer. In part one of this two part discussion, he discusses breaking into the business, THE JEFFERSONS, CHEERS, and the rigors of creating their first series, WINGS. Next week is all FRASIER.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodca...

Even the best actors get rejected countless times. Ken lists all the actors he and writing partner, David Isaacs have rejected for projects – often for good reasons, some for frustrating reasons (the network wouldn’t approve them), and some we just plain screwed up. But hopefully it will give heart to actors that rejections can’t deter talent or a great career. Listen to more podcasts like this:&n...

The former president of Paramount TV and VP of CBS Late Night, John Pike discusses his role, the birth of Fox, the return of STAR TREK, working with David Letterman, the future of the business, and he offers great advice for anyone interested in getting into the entertainment industry.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19...

Ken’s guest is John Pike, the longtime president of Paramount Television in the ‘80’s & ‘90s. Most people don’t know this but John played an instrumental role in the creation of FRASIER. That and CHEERS take up most of part-one of this fascinating two-part interview. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...

Ken recalls some of the music concerts he’s attended down through the years. From Sinatra to the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band he’s seen ‘em all, or at least some of ‘em. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ken and longtime writing partner David Isaacs discus genres of film and TV comedy. Why FRIENDS and other successful sitcoms work.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

On this week's Hollywood and Levine podcast, Ken’s writing partner David Isaacs returns for a lively discussion on comedy – theories, genres and romcoms. It’s a fascinating study of what it takes to evoke laughter.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#...

The wild stories of the making of these two Hollywood films (one a huge hit, the other a colossal bomb). It’s a saga filled with colorful characters, scoundrels, wacky decisions, and overall craziness. In other words: a typical Hollywood story. And Ken was right in the middle of it all.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art1...

This week on Hollywood and Levine, Ken tells tales of his Christmas childhood growing up in ole’ LA. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ken puts on his director hat and shares his thoughts on how to become a good comic actor. And he offers some great examples. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

This week on Hollywood and Levine Podcast, Ken shares some stories of horrible casting suggestions, and inspired casting choices that were rejected. It’s why all actors are on Lexapro. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Once again Ken plays some Thanksgiving Turkeys, songs that don’t try to be funny but just are. Get ready to laugh and cringe, but mostly laugh.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Former MTV Reality Star Susie Meister shares her experiences, what it’s really like being on a reality show, and what life is like after your fifteen minutes of fame are up. It’s a compelling and sometimes heartbreaking re-entry in real reality.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

Ken discusses the importance of reality in comedy and shares a one act play to serve as an example.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Most of the great jokes on television you laughed at for 40 years were written by Emmy winner, Bob Ellison. Now meet the man behind the mirth. And the process of comedy rewriting.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Your worst nightmare. The chilling and terrifying tale of what it’s like to be on a TV show that’s an abject failure. Listen with the lights on.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Entertainment reporter Arlen Peters continues his interview with Ken – interacting with actors, learning to direct, breaking into the feature world, playwriting, anecdotes, and much more. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

On this week's Hollywood and Levine Podcast, Ken switches things up and invites entertainment reporter Arlen Peters to take the reins and interview him. We hear all about Ken's lengthy career in the world of comedy and entertainment as a Writer, Director and Producer. Spoiler Alert: He does not make Ken cry. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy...

Ken deals with two difficult aspects of writing – structure and exposition along with helpful tips for each. And he has one of those rants of his. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ken gets nostalgic and shares all of his futile attempts to be popular in High School. It’s his version of Quentin Tarantino’s ‘60s.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

How many disc jockeys have a star on the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame?  Okay, several, but Shotgun Tom is one of them. Currently on Sirius/XM’s 60’s on 6 channel he’s had a colorful career in an industry that used to be really fun and now sucks. But together we relive the good stuff. Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art1...

Ken discusses the various and wacky movie meetings he and his partner, David Isaacs have “taken” over the years.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Listen to a ten-minute play that Ken wrote and hear him walk you through his thought process. Lots of creative decisions need to be made. It’s a great lesson in how you craft a comedy scene.  Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ken takes you on a wacky tour of Scandinavia and Russia – filled with absurdities and atrocities. What more could anyone ask of a summer vacation? Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Jamie Farr talks about his long career, his experiences on MASH, and a harrowing story that took place in Korea. Other than a near-death experience, lots of fun tales.   Listen to more podcasts like this:  https://wavepodcastnetwork.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .