http://odeo.com/channels/3682-KCRW-s-Martini-Shot no Veteran TV writer and producer Rob Long shares his behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood life on "Martini Shot". A contributing editor for the National Review and Newsweek International he was a co-executive producer of 'Cheers' while still in his 20's and is the co-creator of a string of (cancelled) sitcoms: George & Leo, Men Women & Dogs etc. Rob is also the author of 'Conversations with my Agent,' the cult classic about real life in Hollywood as well as its recently published sequel, 'Set Up Joke, Set Up Joke.' Veteran TV writer and producer Rob Long shares his behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood life on "Martini Shot". A contributing editor for the National Review and Newsweek International he was a co-executive producer of 'Cheers' while still in his 20's and is the co-creator of a string of (cancelled) sitcoms: George & Leo, Men Women & Dogs etc. Rob is also the author of 'Conversations with my Agent,' the cult classic about real life in Hollywood as well as its recently published sequel, 'Set Up Joke, Set Up Joke.' A wry take on real life in Hollywood. en-us 40 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:31:09 -0800 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:31:09 -0800 Design http://odeo.com/episodes/25442101-David-Lloyd-RIP In January of 1990, almost twenty years ago, I pitched a joke in the writers' room of TV's long-running, phenomenally popular comedy Cheers. The actual joke is forgotten ? it wasn't a good one (I didn't pitch anything good, or even decent, for a while) but I was young, and it was my first real job, and so I knew about what someone who was twenty-four and starting his career knows, which is to say, nothing... In January of 1990, almost twenty years ago, I pitched a joke in the writers' room of TV's long-running, phenomenally popular comedy Cheers. The actual joke is forgotten ? it wasn't a good one (I didn't pitch anything good, or even decent, for a while) but I was young, and it was my first real job, and so I knew about what someone who was twenty-four and starting his career knows, which is to say, nothing... In January of 1990, almost twenty years ago, I pitched a joke in the writers' room of TV's long-running, phenomenally popular comedy Cheers. The actual joke is forgotten ? it wasn't a good one (I didn't pitch anything good, or even decent, for a while) but I was young, and it was my first real job, and so I knew about what someone who was twenty-four and starting his career knows, which is to say, nothing... tag:odeo.com,2009-11-12,25442101 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:31:09 -0800 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25406037-Cave So, every writer has a Sinatra moment ? you know what I mean, a moment when you got a note or a request from the studio or the network ? change this character, make the mom younger, add a dog, don't mention cancer ? you know, just the general stuff that every writer in Hollywood eventually has to deal with when the "art form" they've chosen ? and yes, in case you didn't hear it, I made little quote marks in the air when I said "art form" ? but when the "art form" that you've chosen requires $17 million worth of expensive equipment and three hundred people to bring to life, rather than a six dollar set of oil paints and a piece of canvas, you end up having to listen to a lot of people... So, every writer has a Sinatra moment ? you know what I mean, a moment when you got a note or a request from the studio or the network ? change this character, make the mom younger, add a dog, don't mention cancer ? you know, just the general stuff that every writer in Hollywood eventually has to deal with when the "art form" they've chosen ? and yes, in case you didn't hear it, I made little quote marks in the air when I said "art form" ? but when the "art form" that you've chosen requires $17 million worth of expensive equipment and three hundred people to bring to life, rather than a six dollar set of oil paints and a piece of canvas, you end up having to listen to a lot of people... So, every writer has a Sinatra moment ? you know what I mean, a moment when you got a note or a request from the studio or the network ? change this character, make the mom younger, add a dog, don't mention cancer ? you know, just the general stuff that every writer in Hollywood eventually has to deal with when the "art form" they've chosen ? and yes, in case you didn't hear it, I made little quote marks in the air when I said "art form" ? but when the "art form" that you've chosen requires $17 million worth of expensive equipment and three hundred people to bring to life, rather than a six dollar set of oil paints and a piece of canvas, you end up having to listen to a lot of people... tag:odeo.com,2009-11-05,25406037 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:01:16 -0800 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384579-Part-of-the-Process I have a friend who is working on a television show with two studios involved (which means two separate sets of studio executives, all giving notes and thoughts and suggestions on every single rewrite) and three non-writing producers, doing the same, and a separate set of network executives, doing the same... I have a friend who is working on a television show with two studios involved (which means two separate sets of studio executives, all giving notes and thoughts and suggestions on every single rewrite) and three non-writing producers, doing the same, and a separate set of network executives, doing the same... I have a friend who is working on a television show with two studios involved (which means two separate sets of studio executives, all giving notes and thoughts and suggestions on every single rewrite) and three non-writing producers, doing the same, and a separate set of network executives, doing the same... tag:odeo.com,2009-10-28,25384579 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384581-What-I-ll-Never-Do-Again tag:odeo.com,2009-10-21,25384581 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25333611-What-I-ll-Never-Do-Again tag:odeo.com,2009-10-21,25333611 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384582-Bip Not too long ago I was in a meeting with the president of a television network. The show I was working on at the time was on the air and successfully so. Sort of unusual for me, I guess, but it has happened in the past. Despite the impression that my four minutes here often conveys, I've had good meetings and successful exchanges and positive outcomes during my time here in Hollywood. And this was one of those meetings... Not too long ago I was in a meeting with the president of a television network. The show I was working on at the time was on the air and successfully so. Sort of unusual for me, I guess, but it has happened in the past. Despite the impression that my four minutes here often conveys, I've had good meetings and successful exchanges and positive outcomes during my time here in Hollywood. And this was one of those meetings... Not too long ago I was in a meeting with the president of a television network. The show I was working on at the time was on the air and successfully so. Sort of unusual for me, I guess, but it has happened in the past. Despite the impression that my four minutes here often conveys, I've had good meetings and successful exchanges and positive outcomes during my time here in Hollywood. And this was one of those meetings... tag:odeo.com,2009-10-14,25384582 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25286754-Bip Not too long ago I was in a meeting with the president of a television network. The show I was working on at the time was on the air and successfully so. Sort of unusual for me, I guess, but it has happened in the past. Despite the impression that my four minutes here often conveys, I've had good meetings and successful exchanges and positive outcomes during my time here in Hollywood. And this was one of those meetings... Not too long ago I was in a meeting with the president of a television network. The show I was working on at the time was on the air and successfully so. Sort of unusual for me, I guess, but it has happened in the past. Despite the impression that my four minutes here often conveys, I've had good meetings and successful exchanges and positive outcomes during my time here in Hollywood. And this was one of those meetings... Not too long ago I was in a meeting with the president of a television network. The show I was working on at the time was on the air and successfully so. Sort of unusual for me, I guess, but it has happened in the past. Despite the impression that my four minutes here often conveys, I've had good meetings and successful exchanges and positive outcomes during my time here in Hollywood. And this was one of those meetings... tag:odeo.com,2009-10-14,25286754 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384583-The-Event In the late 1980's, a huge phone company hired a top-of-the-line consultancy to make a forecast. Cell-phone usage was growing quickly, and the phone company needed to know how to plan for this new, business model transforming technology. So they paid these consultants a lot of money to answer this question: how many mobile phones will be in use in this country by the year 2000? In the late 1980's, a huge phone company hired a top-of-the-line consultancy to make a forecast. Cell-phone usage was growing quickly, and the phone company needed to know how to plan for this new, business model transforming technology. So they paid these consultants a lot of money to answer this question: how many mobile phones will be in use in this country by the year 2000? In the late 1980's, a huge phone company hired a top-of-the-line consultancy to make a forecast. Cell-phone usage was growing quickly, and the phone company needed to know how to plan for this new, business model transforming technology. So they paid these consultants a lot of money to answer this question: how many mobile phones will be in use in this country by the year 2000? tag:odeo.com,2009-10-07,25384583 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25250609-The-Event In the late 1980's, a huge phone company hired a top-of-the-line consultancy to make a forecast. Cell-phone usage was growing quickly, and the phone company needed to know how to plan for this new, business model transforming technology. So they paid these consultants a lot of money to answer this question: how many mobile phones will be in use in this country by the year 2000? In the late 1980's, a huge phone company hired a top-of-the-line consultancy to make a forecast. Cell-phone usage was growing quickly, and the phone company needed to know how to plan for this new, business model transforming technology. So they paid these consultants a lot of money to answer this question: how many mobile phones will be in use in this country by the year 2000? In the late 1980's, a huge phone company hired a top-of-the-line consultancy to make a forecast. Cell-phone usage was growing quickly, and the phone company needed to know how to plan for this new, business model transforming technology. So they paid these consultants a lot of money to answer this question: how many mobile phones will be in use in this country by the year 2000? tag:odeo.com,2009-10-07,25250609 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384585-Plus-Aimable The cliché, of course, is that American television is awful.  You know the saw: bad sitcoms, predictable dramas, tame dialogue, soft characters.  About four years before it was even invented, people started hating television.  Now, not so much ? there's a lot on that very good, and television's blood rival, feature films, have become mostly movies about robots, so TV ? with its Mad Men and The Wire and 30 Rock and Weeds just seems more sophisticated... The cliché, of course, is that American television is awful.  You know the saw: bad sitcoms, predictable dramas, tame dialogue, soft characters.  About four years before it was even invented, people started hating television.  Now, not so much ? there's a lot on that very good, and television's blood rival, feature films, have become mostly movies about robots, so TV ? with its Mad Men and The Wire and 30 Rock and Weeds just seems more sophisticated... The cliché, of course, is that American television is awful.  You know the saw: bad sitcoms, predictable dramas, tame dialogue, soft characters.  About four years before it was even invented, people started hating television.  Now, not so much ? there's a lot on that very good, and television's blood rival, feature films, have become mostly movies about robots, so TV ? with its Mad Men and The Wire and 30 Rock and Weeds just seems more sophisticated... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-30,25384585 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25213402-Plus-Aimable The cliché, of course, is that American television is awful.  You know the saw: bad sitcoms, predictable dramas, tame dialogue, soft characters.  About four years before it was even invented, people started hating television.  Now, not so much ? there's a lot on that very good, and television's blood rival, feature films, have become mostly movies about robots, so TV ? with its Mad Men and The Wire and 30 Rock and Weeds just seems more sophisticated... The cliché, of course, is that American television is awful.  You know the saw: bad sitcoms, predictable dramas, tame dialogue, soft characters.  About four years before it was even invented, people started hating television.  Now, not so much ? there's a lot on that very good, and television's blood rival, feature films, have become mostly movies about robots, so TV ? with its Mad Men and The Wire and 30 Rock and Weeds just seems more sophisticated... The cliché, of course, is that American television is awful.  You know the saw: bad sitcoms, predictable dramas, tame dialogue, soft characters.  About four years before it was even invented, people started hating television.  Now, not so much ? there's a lot on that very good, and television's blood rival, feature films, have become mostly movies about robots, so TV ? with its Mad Men and The Wire and 30 Rock and Weeds just seems more sophisticated... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-30,25213402 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384586-No-One-Wants-Westerns Years ago, on my first day in film school ? never mind how many years ago; let's just say, enough years ago ? there was a guest speaker ? I honestly don't remember who, but it was someone big, someone powerful, someone with real cred in the industry... Years ago, on my first day in film school ? never mind how many years ago; let's just say, enough years ago ? there was a guest speaker ? I honestly don't remember who, but it was someone big, someone powerful, someone with real cred in the industry... Years ago, on my first day in film school ? never mind how many years ago; let's just say, enough years ago ? there was a guest speaker ? I honestly don't remember who, but it was someone big, someone powerful, someone with real cred in the industry... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-23,25384586 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25175180-No-One-Wants-Westerns Years ago, on my first day in film school ? never mind how many years ago; let's just say, enough years ago ? there was a guest speaker ? I honestly don't remember who, but it was someone big, someone powerful, someone with real cred in the industry... Years ago, on my first day in film school ? never mind how many years ago; let's just say, enough years ago ? there was a guest speaker ? I honestly don't remember who, but it was someone big, someone powerful, someone with real cred in the industry... Years ago, on my first day in film school ? never mind how many years ago; let's just say, enough years ago ? there was a guest speaker ? I honestly don't remember who, but it was someone big, someone powerful, someone with real cred in the industry... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-23,25175180 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384587-Out-of-Town This is hard to believe but true. Not too long ago -- and when I say "not too long ago," I'm saying it from the perspective of someone who remembers some very old things, like that there used to be a hardware store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, before someone invented the $80 candle... This is hard to believe but true. Not too long ago -- and when I say "not too long ago," I'm saying it from the perspective of someone who remembers some very old things, like that there used to be a hardware store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, before someone invented the $80 candle... This is hard to believe but true. Not too long ago -- and when I say "not too long ago," I'm saying it from the perspective of someone who remembers some very old things, like that there used to be a hardware store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, before someone invented the $80 candle... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-16,25384587 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25137170-Out-of-Town This is hard to believe but true. Not too long ago -- and when I say "not too long ago," I'm saying it from the perspective of someone who remembers some very old things, like that there used to be a hardware store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, before someone invented the $80 candle... This is hard to believe but true. Not too long ago -- and when I say "not too long ago," I'm saying it from the perspective of someone who remembers some very old things, like that there used to be a hardware store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, before someone invented the $80 candle... This is hard to believe but true. Not too long ago -- and when I say "not too long ago," I'm saying it from the perspective of someone who remembers some very old things, like that there used to be a hardware store on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, before someone invented the $80 candle... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-16,25137170 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384588-Too-Many-Plates Hollywood is divided into two basic groups: the first group is the one-project types, the serial types. The second, the hedgers, the plates-in-the-air guys. Writers, directors, actors are in the first group ? these are the people who do one thing at a time. They tend to immerse themselves in a project, focus on it, care about it. A writer will write a script, then worry over a rewrite, then tweak it and polish it and get notes on a second draft, do that, and?.then wait... Hollywood is divided into two basic groups: the first group is the one-project types, the serial types. The second, the hedgers, the plates-in-the-air guys. Writers, directors, actors are in the first group ? these are the people who do one thing at a time. They tend to immerse themselves in a project, focus on it, care about it. A writer will write a script, then worry over a rewrite, then tweak it and polish it and get notes on a second draft, do that, and?.then wait... Hollywood is divided into two basic groups: the first group is the one-project types, the serial types. The second, the hedgers, the plates-in-the-air guys. Writers, directors, actors are in the first group ? these are the people who do one thing at a time. They tend to immerse themselves in a project, focus on it, care about it. A writer will write a script, then worry over a rewrite, then tweak it and polish it and get notes on a second draft, do that, and?.then wait... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-09,25384588 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25100017-Too-Many-Plates Hollywood is divided into two basic groups: the first group is the one-project types, the serial types. The second, the hedgers, the plates-in-the-air guys. Writers, directors, actors are in the first group ? these are the people who do one thing at a time. They tend to immerse themselves in a project, focus on it, care about it. A writer will write a script, then worry over a rewrite, then tweak it and polish it and get notes on a second draft, do that, and?.then wait... Hollywood is divided into two basic groups: the first group is the one-project types, the serial types. The second, the hedgers, the plates-in-the-air guys. Writers, directors, actors are in the first group ? these are the people who do one thing at a time. They tend to immerse themselves in a project, focus on it, care about it. A writer will write a script, then worry over a rewrite, then tweak it and polish it and get notes on a second draft, do that, and?.then wait... Hollywood is divided into two basic groups: the first group is the one-project types, the serial types. The second, the hedgers, the plates-in-the-air guys. Writers, directors, actors are in the first group ? these are the people who do one thing at a time. They tend to immerse themselves in a project, focus on it, care about it. A writer will write a script, then worry over a rewrite, then tweak it and polish it and get notes on a second draft, do that, and?.then wait... tag:odeo.com,2009-09-09,25100017 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384589-Validation The rumor was all over town, and it was serious enough that my agent felt the need to call me. "It's not true," he said. "What's not true?" I asked."The rumor.  About the valet parking fees..." The rumor was all over town, and it was serious enough that my agent felt the need to call me. "It's not true," he said. "What's not true?" I asked."The rumor.  About the valet parking fees..." The rumor was all over town, and it was serious enough that my agent felt the need to call me. "It's not true," he said. "What's not true?" I asked."The rumor.  About the valet parking fees..." tag:odeo.com,2009-09-02,25384589 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25064269-Validation The rumor was all over town, and it was serious enough that my agent felt the need to call me. "It's not true," he said. "What's not true?" I asked."The rumor.  About the valet parking fees..." The rumor was all over town, and it was serious enough that my agent felt the need to call me. "It's not true," he said. "What's not true?" I asked."The rumor.  About the valet parking fees..." The rumor was all over town, and it was serious enough that my agent felt the need to call me. "It's not true," he said. "What's not true?" I asked."The rumor.  About the valet parking fees..." tag:odeo.com,2009-09-02,25064269 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25384590-This-Is-Where-We-Keep-the-Writers A friend of mine was working on a show once at a large studio that offered tours of its facilities to tourists. They'd gather in the morning, wilting in the Hollywood sunshine, and be led around by a young studio page who would guide them around the various studio landmarks... A friend of mine was working on a show once at a large studio that offered tours of its facilities to tourists. They'd gather in the morning, wilting in the Hollywood sunshine, and be led around by a young studio page who would guide them around the various studio landmarks... A friend of mine was working on a show once at a large studio that offered tours of its facilities to tourists. They'd gather in the morning, wilting in the Hollywood sunshine, and be led around by a young studio page who would guide them around the various studio landmarks... tag:odeo.com,2009-08-26,25384590 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/25027532-This-Is-Where-We-Keep-the-Writers A friend of mine was working on a show once at a large studio that offered tours of its facilities to tourists. They'd gather in the morning, wilting in the Hollywood sunshine, and be led around by a young studio page who would guide them around the various studio landmarks... A friend of mine was working on a show once at a large studio that offered tours of its facilities to tourists. They'd gather in the morning, wilting in the Hollywood sunshine, and be led around by a young studio page who would guide them around the various studio landmarks... A friend of mine was working on a show once at a large studio that offered tours of its facilities to tourists. They'd gather in the morning, wilting in the Hollywood sunshine, and be led around by a young studio page who would guide them around the various studio landmarks... tag:odeo.com,2009-08-26,25027532 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24990574-Do-You-See-the-Problem A friend of mine pitched a show last week to a network, and they didn't buy it. This isn't a sad story, because another network did want it, so, you know, no tears, but for the six days between the first network saying no and the second network saying yes, he had time to sit and stew and second guess the show he was pitching... A friend of mine pitched a show last week to a network, and they didn't buy it. This isn't a sad story, because another network did want it, so, you know, no tears, but for the six days between the first network saying no and the second network saying yes, he had time to sit and stew and second guess the show he was pitching... A friend of mine pitched a show last week to a network, and they didn't buy it. This isn't a sad story, because another network did want it, so, you know, no tears, but for the six days between the first network saying no and the second network saying yes, he had time to sit and stew and second guess the show he was pitching... tag:odeo.com,2009-08-19,24990574 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24916423-Big-Phone tag:odeo.com,2009-08-05,24916423 Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24882852-Write-It-on-Spec I was talking to a writer the other day who has written a wonderful script. He's sort of an unknown, so he did the smart, entrepreneurial thing: he wrote it on spec. That is, he just carved out some time in his day, sat in one place and, over the course of several weeks, he eked out a funny, smart, fresh pilot script... I was talking to a writer the other day who has written a wonderful script. He's sort of an unknown, so he did the smart, entrepreneurial thing: he wrote it on spec. That is, he just carved out some time in his day, sat in one place and, over the course of several weeks, he eked out a funny, smart, fresh pilot script... I was talking to a writer the other day who has written a wonderful script. He's sort of an unknown, so he did the smart, entrepreneurial thing: he wrote it on spec. That is, he just carved out some time in his day, sat in one place and, over the course of several weeks, he eked out a funny, smart, fresh pilot script... tag:odeo.com,2009-07-29,24882852 Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24847839-Waiting A friend of mine called up someone he's known for over twenty years. They had had a meeting a few weeks ago about a project my friend was working on, the guy he's known for such a long time is in the talent management business ? although, when you get right down to it, everyone in the entertainment industry is in the talent management business ? and the meeting went well, everyone was happy to see everyone else, everyone was excited about the project, everyone was going to follow up, so when my friend did, in fact, follow up a few days later with a phone call, he expected to get his call returned... A friend of mine called up someone he's known for over twenty years. They had had a meeting a few weeks ago about a project my friend was working on, the guy he's known for such a long time is in the talent management business ? although, when you get right down to it, everyone in the entertainment industry is in the talent management business ? and the meeting went well, everyone was happy to see everyone else, everyone was excited about the project, everyone was going to follow up, so when my friend did, in fact, follow up a few days later with a phone call, he expected to get his call returned... A friend of mine called up someone he's known for over twenty years. They had had a meeting a few weeks ago about a project my friend was working on, the guy he's known for such a long time is in the talent management business ? although, when you get right down to it, everyone in the entertainment industry is in the talent management business ? and the meeting went well, everyone was happy to see everyone else, everyone was excited about the project, everyone was going to follow up, so when my friend did, in fact, follow up a few days later with a phone call, he expected to get his call returned... tag:odeo.com,2009-07-22,24847839 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24811463-Dither Working in the entertainment industry is a little like being a character in one of those magical realism novels ? it's about as close to real life as you can get and still have room for unexpected plot twists and scary monsters... Working in the entertainment industry is a little like being a character in one of those magical realism novels ? it's about as close to real life as you can get and still have room for unexpected plot twists and scary monsters... Working in the entertainment industry is a little like being a character in one of those magical realism novels ? it's about as close to real life as you can get and still have room for unexpected plot twists and scary monsters... tag:odeo.com,2009-07-15,24811463 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24771519-My-Back-End tag:odeo.com,2009-07-08,24771519 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24740494-The-Pie tag:odeo.com,2009-07-01,24740494 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:51:05 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24740495-Who-Are-You For the past year or so, I haven't had what you might call an assistant, on the logic that my life isn't really so complicated that I need assistance.  I can work my phone, I can use Google Maps, I can unwrap my own sandwich â?? I'm a functioning, reasonably organized adult who makes his uncertain way in the world unassisted... For the past year or so, I haven't had what you might call an assistant, on the logic that my life isn't really so complicated that I need assistance.  I can work my phone, I can use Google Maps, I can unwrap my own sandwich â?? I'm a functioning, reasonably organized adult who makes his uncertain way in the world unassisted... For the past year or so, I haven't had what you might call an assistant, on the logic that my life isn't really so complicated that I need assistance.  I can work my phone, I can use Google Maps, I can unwrap my own sandwich â?? I'm a functioning, reasonably organized adult who makes his uncertain way in the world unassisted... tag:odeo.com,2009-06-24,24740495 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728149-Rice-Bowl I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"... I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"... I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"... tag:odeo.com,2009-06-17,24728149 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24722395-Rice-Bowl I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"... I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"... I'm in New York right now, and I just had lunch with an old friend of mine who somehow, despite richly deserving it, has not yet been fired by the investment bank where he works in something called "structured finance"... tag:odeo.com,2009-06-17,24722395 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24686404-Le-Sit-Com tag:odeo.com,2009-06-10,24686404 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:21:18 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728150-Le-Sit-Com A few years ago, back during the Golden Age of television â?? and by Golden Age here I don't necessarily mean the age when television content was golden, when the shows were of a uniformly excellent quality â?? I honestly don't believe in that kind of designation â?? I think no matter when you turn it on, you can always find something on television worthwhile, interesting, and of high quality... A few years ago, back during the Golden Age of television â?? and by Golden Age here I don't necessarily mean the age when television content was golden, when the shows were of a uniformly excellent quality â?? I honestly don't believe in that kind of designation â?? I think no matter when you turn it on, you can always find something on television worthwhile, interesting, and of high quality... A few years ago, back during the Golden Age of television â?? and by Golden Age here I don't necessarily mean the age when television content was golden, when the shows were of a uniformly excellent quality â?? I honestly don't believe in that kind of designation â?? I think no matter when you turn it on, you can always find something on television worthwhile, interesting, and of high quality... tag:odeo.com,2009-06-10,24728150 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:21:18 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24648711-We-Liked-It tag:odeo.com,2009-06-03,24648711 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728151-We-Liked-It Everybody in Hollywood has their version of this story. You've got a show or a movie out there, and you're walking around town and maybe you run into an old friend or sit next to someone on an airplane and the conversation gets around to what you do for a living and quickly gets to the "have you ever done anything I might have heard of?" stage, and you mention your project and get this: Oh yeah. I've seen that... Everybody in Hollywood has their version of this story. You've got a show or a movie out there, and you're walking around town and maybe you run into an old friend or sit next to someone on an airplane and the conversation gets around to what you do for a living and quickly gets to the "have you ever done anything I might have heard of?" stage, and you mention your project and get this: Oh yeah. I've seen that... Everybody in Hollywood has their version of this story. You've got a show or a movie out there, and you're walking around town and maybe you run into an old friend or sit next to someone on an airplane and the conversation gets around to what you do for a living and quickly gets to the "have you ever done anything I might have heard of?" stage, and you mention your project and get this: Oh yeah. I've seen that... tag:odeo.com,2009-06-03,24728151 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728153-But-Why There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish... There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish... There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish... tag:odeo.com,2009-05-27,24728153 Wed, 27 May 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24617660-But-Why There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish... There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish... There's an old rule in business that says you shouldn't have a meeting unless there's an outcome to the meeting. There's no point in getting a bunch of people together unless there's a point to it -- unless at the end of the meeting at least one person walks out of there with an actual, deliverable task to accomplish... tag:odeo.com,2009-05-27,24617660 Wed, 27 May 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24589116-Can-I-Have-Him-Return tag:odeo.com,2009-05-20,24589116 Wed, 20 May 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728154-Can-I-Have-Him-Return It's awfully hard, sometimes, in this business, to know exactly why someone is calling you. Which is odd, because there are really only two choices: they want to give you money, or they want to you to give them money... It's awfully hard, sometimes, in this business, to know exactly why someone is calling you. Which is odd, because there are really only two choices: they want to give you money, or they want to you to give them money... It's awfully hard, sometimes, in this business, to know exactly why someone is calling you. Which is odd, because there are really only two choices: they want to give you money, or they want to you to give them money... tag:odeo.com,2009-05-20,24728154 Wed, 20 May 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24546340-Hide-Away tag:odeo.com,2009-05-13,24546340 Wed, 13 May 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728155-Hide-Away Whenever someone feels the need to say "I am not a geek," you can count on on thing: That person is a geek. So: I am not a geek. But I do have geeky attributes... Whenever someone feels the need to say "I am not a geek," you can count on on thing: That person is a geek. So: I am not a geek. But I do have geeky attributes... Whenever someone feels the need to say "I am not a geek," you can count on on thing: That person is a geek. So: I am not a geek. But I do have geeky attributes... tag:odeo.com,2009-05-13,24728155 Wed, 13 May 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24546341-Wrap tag:odeo.com,2009-05-06,24546341 Wed, 06 May 2009 19:02:37 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728156-Wrap You never really know when you're finished with something in this business. Well, that's not strictly true â?? I mean, when the network president calls you and uses his or her sad, regretful voice to tell you that your show is cancelled â?? well, then I guess you know you're finished... You never really know when you're finished with something in this business. Well, that's not strictly true â?? I mean, when the network president calls you and uses his or her sad, regretful voice to tell you that your show is cancelled â?? well, then I guess you know you're finished... You never really know when you're finished with something in this business. Well, that's not strictly true â?? I mean, when the network president calls you and uses his or her sad, regretful voice to tell you that your show is cancelled â?? well, then I guess you know you're finished... tag:odeo.com,2009-05-06,24728156 Wed, 06 May 2009 19:02:37 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728157-Dials-Up Do me a favor: for the next four minutes, pretend you have a small computer mouse-shaped thing in your hand, and pretend there's a dial attached to the thing. Now, mentally, because I know a lot of you are driving, when you're enjoying what you're hearing, turn the dial up, that's clockwise. And when you're not, turn it down, counterclockwise... Do me a favor: for the next four minutes, pretend you have a small computer mouse-shaped thing in your hand, and pretend there's a dial attached to the thing. Now, mentally, because I know a lot of you are driving, when you're enjoying what you're hearing, turn the dial up, that's clockwise. And when you're not, turn it down, counterclockwise... Do me a favor: for the next four minutes, pretend you have a small computer mouse-shaped thing in your hand, and pretend there's a dial attached to the thing. Now, mentally, because I know a lot of you are driving, when you're enjoying what you're hearing, turn the dial up, that's clockwise. And when you're not, turn it down, counterclockwise... tag:odeo.com,2009-04-29,24728157 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24520680-Dials-Up tag:odeo.com,2009-04-29,24520680 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 18:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24488537-The-Grey tag:odeo.com,2009-04-22,24488537 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728158-The-Grey When I was a kid, in the late 1970's â?? yeah, I said it. That's how old I am. I was a kid in the late 1970's. You want more detailed math, you're going to have to wait for my obituary. Anyway, when I was a kid in the late 1970's, one of the most popular shows on the air was Happy Days... When I was a kid, in the late 1970's â?? yeah, I said it. That's how old I am. I was a kid in the late 1970's. You want more detailed math, you're going to have to wait for my obituary. Anyway, when I was a kid in the late 1970's, one of the most popular shows on the air was Happy Days... When I was a kid, in the late 1970's â?? yeah, I said it. That's how old I am. I was a kid in the late 1970's. You want more detailed math, you're going to have to wait for my obituary. Anyway, when I was a kid in the late 1970's, one of the most popular shows on the air was Happy Days... tag:odeo.com,2009-04-22,24728158 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24728159-The-Vanishing Childbirth, like producing a hit TV pilot, is painful, takes too long, requires muscle relaxants and ultimately involves more people than is strictly efficient. And also afterwards, the brain tends to forget all about the struggle. That's so you'll want to do it again... Childbirth, like producing a hit TV pilot, is painful, takes too long, requires muscle relaxants and ultimately involves more people than is strictly efficient. And also afterwards, the brain tends to forget all about the struggle. That's so you'll want to do it again... Childbirth, like producing a hit TV pilot, is painful, takes too long, requires muscle relaxants and ultimately involves more people than is strictly efficient. And also afterwards, the brain tends to forget all about the struggle. That's so you'll want to do it again... tag:odeo.com,2009-04-08,24728159 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24428240-The-Vanishing tag:odeo.com,2009-04-08,24428240 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot http://odeo.com/episodes/24394773-Guess-Who A friend of mine tells this story about a pilot he did years ago.  It was a pretty simple premise â?? single dad raising a kid; kid's smart; dad's weirded out by getting into the dating world; you know, that show â?? and the network was pressuring him to cast a certain actor in the lead role, an actor who was really hot at that moment, who was a major star on Broadway... A friend of mine tells this story about a pilot he did years ago.  It was a pretty simple premise â?? single dad raising a kid; kid's smart; dad's weirded out by getting into the dating world; you know, that show â?? and the network was pressuring him to cast a certain actor in the lead role, an actor who was really hot at that moment, who was a major star on Broadway... A friend of mine tells this story about a pilot he did years ago.  It was a pretty simple premise â?? single dad raising a kid; kid's smart; dad's weirded out by getting into the dating world; you know, that show â?? and the network was pressuring him to cast a certain actor in the lead role, an actor who was really hot at that moment, who was a major star on Broadway... tag:odeo.com,2009-04-01,24394773 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:44:00 -0700 no KCRW's Martini Shot