About
"At the end of Season one of 'Cheers' there's a famous scene where Sam and Diane kiss for the first time. The audience went bananas - through the roof. I turned to David [Isaacs] and said, 'We've peaked.' Though there were some wonderful episodes for the next four seasons, I don't think we could ever match it."
In the one-hour solo portion of his interview, Ken Levine talks about his varied early interests, including cartooning, baseball, and radio, the latter of which led to a stint at the Los Angeles station KMPC. He discusses his unlikely later-life career as a baseball play-by-play announcer, first for Minor League teams and then for teams like the Baltimore Orioles and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He recalls directing many television shows, including Wings, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, and LateLine, and details his directing style. He discusses his blog "By Ken Levine," talks of writing novels, and outlines teaching at USC.
In the two-hour joint portion of their interview, Ken Levine and David Isaacs recount how they met while in the military, and describe their early collaborative efforts, which culminated with the sale of a spec script to The Jeffersons. They detail their time writing for M*A*S*H and discuss the medical research for the show, writing for the various established characters, and penning specific episodes such as "Point of View," which garnered them an Emmy nomination. They touch on co-producing the short-lived sequel AfterMASH, and developing Cheers along with creators Glen and Les Charles. They describe the challenges of Cheers' first year, comment on winning an Emmy for the show, and discuss the chemistry between the characters of "Sam" and "Diane." Levine and Isaacs recount writing for the Cheers spin-off, Frasier, and talk of the challenges of making a supporting character the lead. They outline their collaborative process, how they deal with writers' block, and what they look for when assembling a writing staff. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview in a joint venture with the Writers Guild Foundation on September 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Ken Levine on his internet feud with Roseanne Barr
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson, and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on "Hawkeye Pierce," played by Alan Alda, and "Max Klinger," played by Jamie Farr, being their favorite M*A*S*H characters to write for
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, changed from Cheers to Frasier
Ken Levine on getting into baseball announcing
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early interest in cartooning, baseball, and radio and Vin Scully being an inspiration; on working at KMPC radio with Gary Owens and turning down a writing job at Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
On his career in radio; on getting into baseball announcing; on writing spec scripts with David Isaacs for various shows
On becoming interested in directing for television; on the advantage of being a writer who directs; on directing Wings, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, LateLine and Instant Mom
On directing Dharma & Greg; on his directing style; on his blog "By Ken Levine"; on writing novels and teaching at USC
Chapter 2
START OF JOINT INTERVIEW with Ken Levine and David Isaacs; on how they started working together; on their early collaborative writing process; on selling their first script, a spec for The Jeffersons
On how they came to write for M*A*S*H; on writing the drama of M*A*S*H; on doing the medical and military research for M*A*S*H; on the challenge of writing for established characters on the show
On writing various M*A*S*H episodes; on how the various cast changes affected M*A*S*H; on moving on from M*A*S*H in 1979 and the legacy of the show; on co-producing After MASH
On how they came to write for Cheers; on the writers' room at Cheers; on developing the characters of Cheers and writing for "Sam Malone" and "Diane Chambers"; on Shelley Long leaving the show
Chapter 3
On the relationship between "Frasier Crane" and "Lilith Sternin" on Cheers; on writing for "Sam Malone" and "Diane Chambers" on Cheers; on winning an Emmy for Cheers
On writing for The Simpsons; on writing for Frasier; on how "Frasier Crane" changed from Cheers to Frasier; on the relationship between "Niles Crane" and "Daphne Moon" on Frasier
On the series finale of Frasier; on the Frasier writers' room; on the death of Frasier co-creator David Angell on 9/11; on how they collaborate and deal with writers' block
On assembling writers' rooms for Almost Perfect and Mary; on The Writers Guild of America; on then-current projects and their relationship; on advice to aspiring writers and how they'd like to be remembered
Shows
AfterMASH
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on co-producing After MASH
Almost Perfect
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on assembling writers' rooms for Almost Perfect and Mary
Becker
Ken Levine on directing Becker
Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how they came to write for Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the writers' room with Glen and Les Charles at Cheers and how it differed from M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on developing the characters of Cheers and creating the character of "Eddie LeBec," played by Jay Thomas
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson, and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on Shelley Long leaving Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, and "Lilith Sternin," played by Bebe Neuwirth, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson, and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on winning an Emmy for Cheers
Dharma & Greg
Ken Levine on directing Dharma & Greg and working with Chuck Lorre
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on being nominated for an Emmy for the M*A*S*H episode, "Point of View"
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on winning an Emmy for Cheers
Everybody Loves Raymond
Ken Levine on directing Everybody Loves Raymond
Frasier
Ken Levine on directing Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, changed from Cheers to Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Niles Crane," played by David Hyde Pierce, and "Daphne Moon," played by Jane Leeves, on Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the series finale of Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the Frasier writers' room
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the death of Frasier co-creator David Angell on 9/11
Jeffersons, The
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on selling their first script, a spec for The Jeffersons
LateLine
Ken Levine on directing LateLine
M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how they came to write for M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing the drama of M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on doing the medical and military research for M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on being brought on staff to write for M*A*S*H and the M*A*S*H writers' room
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the challenge of writing for established characters on M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on "Hawkeye Pierce," played by Alan Alda, and "Max Klinger," played by Jamie Farr, being their favorite M*A*S*H characters to write for
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing the M*A*S*H episode, "Our Finest Hour"
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing the M*A*S*H episode, "Point of View"
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on being nominated for an Emmy for the M*A*S*H episode, "Point of View"
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how the various cast changes affected M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on moving on from M*A*S*H in 1979
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the legacy of M*A*S*H
Mary (1985)
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on assembling writers' rooms for Almost Perfect and Mary
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Ken Levine on working at KMPC radio with Gary Owens and turning down a writing job at Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
Simpsons, The
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for The Simpsons
Wings
Ken Levine on directing Wings
Topics
9/11
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the death of Frasier co-creator David Angell on 9/11
Advice
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on advice to aspiring writers
Characters & Catchphrases
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on "Hawkeye Pierce," played by Alan Alda, and "Max Klinger," played by Jamie Farr, being their favorite M*A*S*H characters to write for
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on developing the characters of Cheers and creating the character of "Eddie LeBec," played by Jay Thomas
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson, and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, and "Lilith Sternin," played by Bebe Neuwirth, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson ,and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, changed from Cheers to Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Niles Crane," played by David Hyde Pierce, and "Daphne Moon," played by Jane Leeves, on Frasier
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Ken Levine on his early interest in cartooning, baseball, and radio and Vin Scully being an inspiration
Emmy Awards
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on being nominated for an Emmy for the M*A*S*H episode, "Point of View"
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on winning an Emmy for Cheers
First Big Break
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on selling their first script, a spec for The Jeffersons
Historic Events and Social Change
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the death of Frasier co-creator David Angell on 9/11
Pivotal Career Moments
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on selling their first script, a spec for The Jeffersons
Pop Culture
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on "Hawkeye Pierce," played by Alan Alda, and "Max Klinger," played by Jamie Farr, being their favorite M*A*S*H characters to write for
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on developing the characters of Cheers and creating the character of "Eddie LeBec," played by Jay Thomas
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson, and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, and "Lilith Sternin," played by Bebe Neuwirth, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson ,and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, changed from Cheers to Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Niles Crane," played by David Hyde Pierce, and "Daphne Moon," played by Jane Leeves, on Frasier
Television Industry
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on advice to aspiring writers
Professions
Directors
Ken Levine on the advantage of being a writer who directs
Ken Levine on his directing style
Show Creators
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on assembling writers' rooms for Almost Perfect and Mary
Writers
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on their early collaborative writing process
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on how they collaborate
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on dealing with writers' block
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on The Writers Guild of America
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for different genres
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on advice to aspiring writers
Genres
Animation
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for The Simpsons
Comedy Series
Ken Levine on directing Wings
Ken Levine on directing Frasier
Ken Levine on directing Becker, Everybody Loves Raymond, LateLine, and Instant Mom
Ken Levine on directing Dharma & Greg
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for M*A*S*H
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on co-producing After MASH
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for Cheers (Part 1)
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for Cheers (Part 2)
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for Frasier
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on assembling writers' rooms for Almost Perfect and Mary
People
Alan Alda
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on "Hawkeye Pierce," played by Alan Alda, and "Max Klinger," played by Jamie Farr, being their favorite M*A*S*H characters to write for
David Angell
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the death of Frasier co-creator David Angell on 9/11
Glen Charles
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the writers' room with Glen and Les Charles at Cheers and how it differed from M*A*S*H
Les Charles
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the writers' room with Glen and Les Charles at Cheers and how it differed from M*A*S*H
Ted Danson
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson ,and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Jamie Farr
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on "Hawkeye Pierce," played by Alan Alda, and "Max Klinger," played by Jamie Farr, being their favorite M*A*S*H characters to write for
Kelsey Grammer
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Frasier Crane," played by Kelsey Grammer, and "Lilith Sternin," played by Bebe Neuwirth, on Cheers
David Isaacs
Ken Levine on getting into writing for television and meeting David Isaacs
Shelley Long
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on writing for "Sam Malone," played by Ted Danson ,and "Diane Chambers," played by Shelley Long, on Cheers
Chuck Lorre
Ken Levine on directing Dharma & Greg and working with Chuck Lorre
David Hyde Pierce
Ken Levine and David Isaacs on the relationship between "Niles Crane," played by David Hyde Pierce, and "Daphne Moon," played by Jane Leeves, on Frasier
Roseanne
Ken Levine on his internet feud with Roseanne Barr
Vin Scully
Ken Levine on his early interest in cartooning, baseball, and radio and Vin Scully being an inspiration