Why I Will Miss Carrie Fisher.

I was never a fan of the "Star Wars" films.
I wasn't crazy about her work in "Shampoo".
I loved "When  Harry Met Sally", but not because of her.
She was hilarious in the episode of "30 Rock" that she did.
I saw her in person when she did a cameo on "Laverne & Shirley" as a girl trying out to be a Playboy Bunny.  She was very tight with Penny Marshall at the time.
None of this is why I will miss her.
I will miss her desperately because of her work as a novelist.
I have read them all, except the new one, which I just downloaded.
She is one of those writers whose voice you can actually hear as you are reading her work.
This only makes it that much better.
I mean, could she push words together!
She is intensely interesting.  All the time.
I'm not talking about her ghost-writing on screenplays, because I have no idea what her contributions were.
In that assembly line that is screenplay ghostwriting, it's very hard to tell.
I saw her Broadway show, "Wishful Drinking" which she wrote and starred in, in 2009.
It was well-publicized as being an autobiography.
It was wonderful.
An older man sitting behind me, who spent the half-hour before the show started bellyaching about the last five Broadway experiences he had being major disappointments, stated at intermission and I quote, "All she does is talk about herself!"
Just what did he think he was walking into?
This was written talk.
Extremely well-written talk.
This to my knowledge was what she always brought into the room.
When I wrote my first novel, one of my first thoughts was "is this up to Carrie Fisher's standards?"
I'd like to think that it was .
If you haven't read any of her books, there are four of them on Amazon Kindle.
That's a great place to start.
R.I.P.  Carrie.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Elvis and Nixon"

"Elvis and Nixon", with Michael Shannon as Elvis, and Kevin Spacey as Nixon, is a true story about how and why they met in Nixon's White House.
It is a complete hoot.
What makes it as funny as it is was the decision to depict both Elvis and Nixon as complete shmucks.
Elvis wants to be made a "special FBI agent".
Nixon doesn't see any value in meeting with Elvis and has to have his arm twisted to agree to even meet with Elvis.  No matter how much publicity it would derive.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Fascinating.  No matter how much it stuck to the facts.
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.  Mainly due to the strength of the two leads.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Only if you are concerned with how accurate it is.  I wasn't.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Marvelous.
A+.

Is it well written?

It particularly lets Spacey chew the scenery.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Every year, there is one actor who has it in his contract to appear in every movie.
This year, it's Michael Shannon.
And he's earned it.
Spacey is his usual brilliant self.

Well shot?

Totally.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

I can't tell.
B.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Almost every movie I've been seeing lately takes place in the seventies.  The cars are a dead giveaway.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It seemed to fly by.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

You certainly could believe that they were shmucks, as were Haldeman and Ehrlichmann.
You didn't care about them, but both Shannon and Spacey made you care about Elvis and Nixon.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I didn't know most of the details.  If true, it was quite illuminating.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

It made me wonder just how many presidents Spacey can play convincingly.
A+.

Is it funny?

Devilishly.
A+.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

I could wait until Amazon Prime, like I did.
A.

Is it impressive?

Very.
A.

Overall grade: A+.

Loved it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"The Comedian"

"The Comedian" is a disaster of major proportions.  Robert DeNiro plays an aging down-on-his-luck insult comic.  They want you to buy into the fact that at one time he was good.
There is no evidence of this.
Deniro's comedy chops haven't improved since he played Rupert Pupkin in "King of Comedy"
He is consistently over-the-top-embarrassing, which is often.
I don't think that this is the effect the director wants, but go argue with DeNiro.
The director is Taylor Hackford, who has never displayed any flair for comedy.
If there is a bad taste choice to be made, and it seems like there always is, Hackford makes it.

On to the scoring:   

Is it interesting?

Like a train wreck.
F.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

Only that it got made.
D.

Is it a story worth telling?

No.
D.

Is it good storytelling?

Horrible, and horribly executed.
D.

Is it well written?

It's full of what good comedians refer to as "hack material"
D.

Is it well cast? Well played?

There are some very good actors in this.  Patti Lupone, Cloris Leachman, Charles Grodin,
all wasted.
C.

Well shot?

Too many arbitrary, extended stockshots of  New York City bridges at night.
Nothing special.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Hackford brings such a lack of style to just about everything he touches, that it is rather unique.
F.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

You don't know that the whole film takes eight years ago until the very end, when it shifts to the present, all for one lame joke.
F.

Is it too long? Too short?

It's two hours of my life that I'll never get back.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Nothing was believable, except how everyone thought DeNiro's character was  a complete putz.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I had truly lost interest.
F.                                                                  

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Still trying to get it out of my head.
D.

Is it funny?

Only in that very hacky way..
F.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

It's a complete atrocity.
F.

Is it impressive?

Never.
F.

Overall grade: F.

Don't say you haven't been warned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Jackie"

How big the problems are with "Jackie" depends on how old you are, and how well you remember the Kennedy era.
If you are young enough to not have any first-hand memory of it, it's as good a representation of what happened as anything.
I'm old enough to remember everything.
And this causes some problems.
It was a very superficial treatment of her life, concentrating only on her years in the White House.
I kept hoping that I'd learn something that I didn't know going in.
All that I learned was that she smoked like a chimney and drank like a boozehound.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Mildly.  Even for me.
B-.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

I was hoping they'd get into how she dealt with JFK's infidelities.
It never even came up.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

Not really.  Any existing documentary footage tells it better.
D.

Is it good storytelling?

For the most part, it almost totally lacks drama.
D.

Is it well written?

Not particularly
C.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Almost everybody seemed miscast.  Could they find anybody who at least resembled Bobby Kennedy?  This guy had light red hair.  LBJ didn't even have big ears.  JFK at least looked the part, but he was given very little to say.  Natalie Portman wasn't very convincing.
C-.

Well shot?

OK.  It was probably mostly stock footage.
B.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No.
F.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.  Not a problem.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

At 90 minutes, it still seemed long.
D.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Everyone did.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Yes, and no.
C-.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Not in the slightest
C.

Is it funny?

Never.  It takes itself very seriously.
F.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Maybe if you were paying.  Not me.
F.

Is it impressive?

Not at all
C-.

Overall grade: C-.
.
There are much better ways to learn about the Kennedys than this attempt at pageantry.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Do These Celebrities All Have In Common?

 They all died this year---2016.


Edward Albee,
Muhammad Ali,
Mose Allison
Arthur Anderson
Eddie Applegate,
Alexis Arquette
Kenny Baker,
Rev. Daniel Berrigan, S.J., 
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
David Bowie,
Oscar Brand, 
Bobby Breen
Charmian Carr,
Fidel Castro,
Michael Cimino
Leonard Cohen,
Pat Conroy, 
Jack Davis,
Gloria DeHaven,
Larry Drake, 
Patty Duke,
Bob Elliott,
"Fyvush” Finkle,
Bernard Fox,
George Gaynes,
Ron Glass, 
John Glenn,
Gogi Grant,
Tammy Grimes,
Ann Morgan Guilbert, 
Merle Haggard, 
Dan Haggerty,
Earl Hamner Jr., 
Pat Harrington Jr, 
Tom Hayden, 
Dr. Henry Heimlich, 
Florence Henderson, 
Steven Hill, 
Arthur Hiller,
Robert Horton, 
Ken Howard,
Gordie Howe,
David Huddleston, 
Gwen Ifell, 
Anne Jackson,
Sonny James, 
Kitty Kallen,
Marvin Kaplan,
George Kennedy,
W. P. Kinsella
Julius La Rosa,
Mell Lazarus,
Harper Lee,
Richard Libertini,
Jim Lowe,
Garry Marshall, 
John McLaughlin,
John McMartin,
Kevin Meaney, 
Mike Minor 
Gloria Naylor,
James M. Nederlander Jr.,
Agnes Nixon,
Marni Nixon,
James Noble,
Hugh O’Brian,
Arnold Palmer,
Prince
Nancy Davis Reagan,
Janet Reno,
Alan Rickman,
Jack Riley,
Doris Roberts,
Leon Russell,
Andrew Sachs,
Morley Safer,
Theresa Saldana,
Joe Santos,
Associate Justice Antonin Scalia,
William Schallert,
Phyllis Schlafly,
Sir Peter Shaffer,
Garry Shandling,
Madeleine Sherwood,
Frank Sinatra Jr.,
James Stacy,
Kay Starr,
Robert Stigwood,
Toots Thielemans,
Grant Tinker,
Alvin Toffler,
Robert Vaughn
Bobby Vee,
Abe Vigoda,
Janet Waldo,
Fritz Weaver,
Elie Wiesel,
Gene Wilder,
Van Williams,
Glenn Yarbrough, 
Alan Young,,
John Zacherle,
Buckwheat Zydeco,

However old some of these people were, and some of them were pretty old,  I'd be willing to bet that none of them figured that Zsa Zsa Gabor would outlive them.
And this is only from people who died this year.  But outlive them she did.
I'll bet that you could go back a good five years  and come up with lists that would be just as astounding.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Manchester By The Sea"

"Manchester By The Sea" is a totally absorbing, extremely evocative of the Boston area, overwhelmingly textured, personal story about family responsibility, and trying to make up for past mistakes.  Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams are both astounding.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Consistently absorbing.
A+.

Compelling even?

Constantly.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Certainly.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Up and down the line.
A+

Well shot?

Breathtakingly.
A+

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

To a major degree.
A.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.  Not a problem.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length was not an issue.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Very much, and very much.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I never knew where it as going, and there were surprises along the way.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often.
A.

Is it funny?

Here and there.
B.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

All thirteen.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Very.
A+.

Overall grade: A+..

So far the best thing I've seen this season.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dick Van Dyke Show In Color.

CBS aired 2 episodes back to back of colorized episodes of the Dick Van Dyke Show.
I always loved the Van Dyke Show.
And I love colorization.
As long as it's a reasonably good paint job.
This certainly was, and I wish there was more of it.
If it only gets what is now generations of people who would never look at anything in black-and-white to look at this wonderful show and see what they are missing.
But it doesn't enhance my enjoyment of it one bit.
With the Van Dyke Show, they had me at "Capri Pants".
And that was over fifty years ago.
I think I would have enjoyed it just as much if I had stumbled it on "Nick at Nite" in black and white.
I sort of lost interest in the middle of it, except of course for the capri-pants, which were black, anyway.
But I've had some wonderful experiences with colorization when it first came out.
"Casablanca" didn't lose a thing.
Neither did "The Maltese Falcon".
Neither did "It's A Wonderful Life".
"Yankee Doodle Dandy" is a far better movie in color.
It should have been made that way to begin with.
Somebody was too cheap.
I did see a horrible version of "A Night At The Opera", but that was only because it had a rotten paint job.  It looked like it was done with pastels.
The "purists" had no trouble pocketing the residuals when their color movies showed up on TV before there was color TV in wide use, so most people's exposure to them was in black and white.
So where was the outcry then?
Of course, there are things that shouldn't be touched:
"Citizen Kane",  "Raging Bull",  any of Woody Allen's movies that were made in black and white,
but I would love to see a colorized version of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre".
You might disagree, but that's me.
The technology seems to have improved today.
I wish there was more of an audience for it.
Meanwhile, the Decades channel ran a weekend binge of Sergeant Bilko, in glorious black-and-white.
Much more satisfying.
A much higher batting average of great episodes, and a much higher slugging average.
It remains the best sitcom ever.
They almost never missed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Sully"

It turns out that there is a whole lot more to the "Sully" story than the fact that he landed the plane on the Hudson River and everyone survived.
That's all I knew about it going in.
I hadn't any idea that he got a whole lot of flak from the NTSB  to the point that there was a major investigation which came very close to casting Sully as a careless villain who played fast and loose with his options, and could have grounded him permanently..
It's the playing out of this public investigation that is the guts of this movie.
This is an extremely satisfying film.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Consistently absorbing.
A+.

Compelling even?

Constantly.
A+.

Is it controversial?

It was at the time.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

Certainly.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes and yes.  Hanks is his usual awesome.  He's perfect..  Laura Linney, whom I love, is kind of wasted in  of those "loyal wife" roles, but it's always good to see her.
A+.

Well shot?

Clint Eastwood was at the helm.  I am no fan of Eastwood being at the helm.  He has had a tendency to make stuff up, as in the J. Edgar Hoover biopic.  But here, he had the good taste to tell the true story, probably because  Sully was on the set, and kept things accurate.
So Eastwood simply stayed out of the way and shot it well
A..

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not really.
D.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.  Not a problem.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length was not a problem.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Very much, and very much.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

It was all a major revelation.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Sometimes.
B.

Is it funny?

Here and there.
B.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

At least six bucks, but that's me.
A.

Is it impressive?

Very.
A.

Overall grade: A..

Very much worth your time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"The Girl On The Train"

"The Girl On The Train" is a first rate whodunit.
As usual, I'm the last one to be able to figure it out.
And as usual, my wife was way ahead of me.
But that only made me feel slightly stupid , and didn't hurt my enjoyment one bit.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Consistently
A+.

Compelling even?

Often.
A.

Is it controversial?

It's not that deep.
No Grade.

Is it a story worth telling?

It's the kind of story that seems like it's been told before.
C.

Is it good storytelling?

It's very tightly structured.
A.

Is it well written?

Pretty well.
B+.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes and yes.  Allison Janney does a nice turn as a detective and the only actor that I recognize.
A.

Well shot?

Fine.
A.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not really.
D.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

The first car you see is a new looking car from the fifties.  This is misleading.
It takes place in the present.
C-.

Is it too long? Too short?

Length is not a problem.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and yes.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

As usual, they were way ahead of me.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Not really.
C.

Is it funny?

Not really.  But its lack of humor didn't hurt it.
B.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Not mine.
C.

Is it impressive?

Often, mainly for the storytelling.
A+.

Overall grade: A..

It's very much a ripping yarn.  So if you like your yarns ripped, you'll like this a lot.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"The Humans"

The final play I saw in New York was "The Humans".
It won the Tony Award for Best Play of the Year.
I don't get it.
The clip I saw on the Tony's looked pretty funny.
So I  assumed it was a comedy.
But that clip was the only funny scene in the play.
So okay, maybe it will be dramatic.
It made a very minor pass at drama.
It was what they started to call in the eighties, a dramedy.
It was neither fish nor fowl.
I have two plays that I think are Broadway worthy, and even Best Play worthy.
I have had little success getting either of them there.
In all fairness, I haven't tried very hard to get them there.
But a play like this that really raises the hackles.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Just barely.
C-.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

It's too tame to be controversial.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

I honestly don't think so.
D.

Is it good storytelling?

It has no arc.
D.

Is it well written?

The dialogue is better than the storytelling, but that's not saying much.
C-.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

There was good acting going on, and it's harder to be good when the play is not.
B.

Well staged?

Nothing impressed me.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No,
F.

How long does it take to establish the show's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

It's very short, and as they approached the end there were story revelations that could have been elaborated interestingly, but they seemed more intent on getting done.
F.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and no.
D.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Only in that I expected more .
D.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

I left with the same chip on my shoulder that I came in with.
F.

Is it funny?

Only that one scene.
C+.

Was it  worth the two hundred bucks it cost to see it?

Not any bucks.
F.

Is it impressive?

Not at all.
C-.

Overall grade: C-.

There have been many plays that I have seen that deserved the Best Play Tony's that they received.
Usually they are by David Mamet.
So this isn't just sour grapes.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Recount..

There's all this talk about how Hillary's popular vote lead is approaching two million votes.
And how the leads in three swing states, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, which made the difference in the Electoral College, and gave us President-Elect Trump are so narrow and can be subject to a recount if acted on quickly.
The margins are that small.
Under a hundred thousand votes in each of these states.
The next eight years, and all those Supreme Court appointments are on the table.
Does it not behoove us to at least attempt to make things right?
The money's already been raised to start the process.
We break no laws by attempting this.
If we don't follow through here, there is only one person to blame: Hilary Clinton.
She would be the only one standing in the way of a fair outcome.
If, in fact, the outcome is unchanged by the recount, then we can all take our lumps and go home,
and that's what we do.
But there's too much at stake.
It's two fucking million votes.
Maybe she's afraid that if she condones it, being prosecuted will still be on the table.
If that's what it takes, she has to take one for the country.
She's stared down the FBI before, she can do it again.
Even then, worst case scenario is President Tim Kaine.
You can't let this many people down without even trying.
Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell was interviewed by Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC.
His advice was unless there was overwhelming evidence that it would be overturned, let it rest.
This is the same Ed Rendell who was guaranteeing that Pennsylvania was in the bag for Clinton before the votes were counted.
This is who we should listen to??
If the shoe was on the other foot, and Trump had a popular vote lead that Hilary has, but lost those rust belt states like Hilary did, and Trump had the opportunity to attempt a recount in those states, class, what do we think he would do??
Do the recount!!
It's too fucking close!

P.S.  It's Saturday, and I just read that Hilary will participate in the recount.
However it turns out, bravo!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner! Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Something Rotten!"

"Something Rotten!" was the third show I saw in New York.
It's a musical approaching the end of its New York run.
It will probably have some sort of national tour, so it's worth talking about.
That's probably the only reason it's worth talking about.
Just to caution you.
I was intrigued to see this show because of its opening number, which aired on last year's Tony Awards, which depicted, quite humorously the invention of the modern musical in the 1500's.
If I had only known that it was the only funny thing in the show, I could have saved the next two and a half hours of my life, and a nice piece of change.
It involves Shakespeare and his inferior contemporaries, who think they are on to something with their musical called "Omelette".
Yes, that's the level of the humor.
It is unrelenting farce that is painfully unfunny.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

After the first scene, never.
C-.

Compelling even?

Never.
F.

Is it controversial?

It's very tame satire.
F.

Is it a story worth telling?

If they kept it funnier, perhaps.
B.

Is it good storytelling?

It's way, way complicated, to no point.
C.

Is it well written?

The music is undistinguished, as is everything else.
C-.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

Nobody impressed me.
C-.

Well staged?

Nothing impressed me.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No,
F.

How long does it take to establish the show's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

It seemed like an eternity.
D.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

No, and no.
D.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Everything was obvious.
D.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Only about the mistake I'd made.
F.

Is it funny?

Only that first scene.
D.

Was it  worth the two hundred bucks it cost to see it?

Please.
F.

Is it impressive?

This might be  good time to indicate how amateurish it all seemed.
C-.


Overall grade: C-.

My shit detector just let me down on this one.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"A Bronx Tale, The Musical".

On my second night in New York,  I saw "A Bronx Tale, The Musical".
Based on the movie that starred , Robert DeNiro and was written by Chazz Palminteri,
This musical version is written by Palminteri and co-directed by DeNiro.
The music is by Alan Menken, and the lyrics by Glenn Slater.
What I saw was the second preview.
It was overwhelmingly wonderful.
It was ready to open, but they're not opening until the beginning of December.
I don't know what they're waiting for.
I've seen just about every musical that I've wanted to.
This show is in the top five in my book.
It's kind of a cross between "Jersey Boys" and "West Side Story".
But all the music is original and wonderful.
And the storytelling is much better than "West Side Story".

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Always.
A+.

Compelling even?

Never not
A+.

Is it controversial?

Only if it doesn't get anything but unanimous raves.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

Absolutely.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

Nothing but.
A+.

Is it well written?

Brilliantly.
A+..

Is it well cast?  Well played?

I didn't know any of these actors.  They are all wonderful, and terrific singers.
A+.

Well staged?

It's a total grabber.
A+.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No, but it really doesn't matter.
A.

How long does it take to establish the show's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It could have gone on and on.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I was never ahead of it.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

You can't not.
A+.

Is it funny?

Often, and it's always appropriate.
A+.

Was it  worth the two hundred bucks it cost to see it?

If it ever is, now's the time.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Astoundingly.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

If you usually agree with me, don't stop now.  If you have to, hop on a plane, go to the Longacre theater, and pony up the dough.  Just a suggestion.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Rare Retraction.

About seven posts ago, I took a major crap on the TV series "Our Miss Brooks".
I thought the writing was horrible, even though I thoroughly enjoyed the performances.
But I stuck with it, and after about twenty episodes, the writing got much sharper, and it's been
consistently way above average.
I recommend it heartily.
I judged it too soon.
It is now a highlight of my day.
Particularly Gale Gordon's work.
He really hit his comedic stride in this show.
Far funnier than he ever was with Lucy.
And Eve Arden's timing is perfect.
If I discouraged you the first time, I'm sorry.
Mea Culpa.
But there are many episodes left, and it's definitely worth your time.
Next time, I'll once again do a Report Card on one of the plays I saw in New York.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"The Front Page".

Well, I'm back from New York, and it was certainly not without adventure.
For the first play, it was 6:30 pm, and we had to make a 7:00 curtain.  No late seating.
We were four blocks away from the theater when my wife wheeling me down the street in my
wheelchair, hit a rut in the pavement, and a wheel broke off the wheelchair, and we had to
grab a cab.
The wheelchair immediately became garbage.
I had to resort to hobbling and Ubers for the rest of the trip.
But I adapted.  I got to the theater on time, and it did not affect my appreciation of the plays I saw.
"The Front Page" is a play that was written in the 1920's.
I had never seen it on stage before.
But I had seen it as a movie in its three incarnations:
The 1931 version with  Adolph Menjou and Pat O'Brien as Walter Burns and Hildy Johnson, which was pretty good, 
The 1941 "His Girl Friday" where Hildy Johnson was turned into a female, Rosalind Russell,
opposite Cary Grant as her boss, Walter Burns.
This was probably the best version.
And 1974's version with Jack Lemmon as Hildy and Walter Matthau as Walter Burns.
I liked this version better than most people who saw it.
The stage version had an all-star cast, top-billed by Nathan Lane as Walter Burns.  John Slattery was Hildy Johnson.
John Goodman was in it, Robert Morse, Holland Taylor, best known as Charlie Sheen's mother on "Two And A Half Men"....shtarkers all.
The problem, and it is a HUGE problem, is that Nathan does not appear until nearly the end of the second act of a three-act play.
This was not the case in any version of the movies.
Walter and Hildy shared equal screen time in all the movies.
The first two acts without him are pretty tedious.
John Goodman got entrance applause and was very good, but he didn't make much difference.
The only reason I went to see this was to see Nathan Lane.
After the end of the first act, there were audience walkouts.
At the end of the second act, there were more walkouts.
People felt ripped off.  I couldn't blame them.
But once Nathan hit the stage, he hit the ground running.
It immediately became explosively funny.
And it remained that way until the end.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Hardly at all.  Until Nathan entered.
C.

Compelling even?

No.
F.

Is it controversial?

With all the better versions of the script, why would they use the one that keeps Nathan offstage for almost the first two hours?
C-

Is it a story worth telling?

I always enjoyed it before.
B+.

Is it good storytelling?

Not this version.
C-.

Is it well written?

It was, once.  The third act seems well written, but that's because Nathan has every other line.
B.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

Only Nathan mattered. Check out "His Girl Friday".  Billy Gilbert played the part that Robert Morse plays.  It was pure brilliance.  Morse was merely adequate.

Well staged?

A little unfocused.
C.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Not at all.
F.

How long does it take to establish the show's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

It was starting to feel endless, until Nathan showed up.
B-.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Only Nathan.
B.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Only that they used this script.
C-.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often, and with much confusion.
C-.

Is it funny?

Not as much as it could have been.
B-.

Was it  worth the two hundred bucks it cost to see it?

Not at all.
F.

Is it impressive?

I can't say that it was.
C.

Overall grade: B.

I had much higher hopes.
But any time Nathan Lane does a play, I try to show up.  That won't change.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Broadway Bound.

I'm flying to New York later today.
It's the first time I've gotten on a plane since I had my stroke over a year-and-a-half ago.
I'm going to see four plays, and go to my favorite restaurants.
I'm not taking my computer, but when I get back on Monday, I will start doing Report Cards on the plays that I will have seen.
I will need a wheelchair to get around.
Fortunately, I have a wife who is willing to wheel me around the city, and theaters that will provide me with wheelchair access.
See you next week!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card----"Timeless"

This is the first time I've attempted to do a Report Card on a TV show.
I had never felt the need, or enthusiasm about a TV show, as I do about "Timeless".
And there are a lot of shows that I like.
There are a lot of NEW shows that I like.
"This is Us",  "Designated Survivor",  "Man With a Plan".
I don't feel the need to write about any of those.
And there are a handful of older shows that I like.
"Better Call Saul",  "Breaking Bad", "The Blacklist", "Ray Donovan", any Chuck Lorre show.
But none of those have needed my help.
I don't know that "Timeless" needs my help either.
But I'm offering it up anyway because that's how taken I am with it.
Jackie Gleason used to say that 'being a TV critic is roughly akin to describing an accident to an
eyewitness".
At the time, he was right.
Of course, that was in the days when there was no more than seven choices of what you can watch.
And there was no way to go back and see what you missed by watching something else.
Now, we have Tivo, and On Demand, leading to all sorts of binge-watching.
Some guidance can be helpful.
I've seen the first four episodes of "Timeless", in sequence, which is the way to do it, as each episode reveals something about the characters that you must know before proceeding on to the next one.
It starts out great, and gets greater every week.
It's essentially science-fiction about time-travel.
But it's very layered.
Legitimate moral dilemmas are explored every episode.
It goes to very interesting places.
The Hindenburg Landing,  The Vegas Rat Pack in 1962, Ford's Theater in 1865,  Nazi Germany in 1944.
The overriding goal is to not change history, which turns out to be at least somewhat impossible.
This is not a spoiler alert.
If they always totally succeeded, ya got nothin'.

On to the scoring:

Is it entertaining?

Constantly.
A+.

Is it controversial?

Totally.  The question "Should they even be doing this?" comes up a lot.
A+.

Is it a story worth telling?

It's captivating. And wildly imaginative.
A+

Is it good storytelling?

Tremendous
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.  There is a "Blacklist" dynamic at work here.  They always try to keep you guessing about who the good guys and the bad guys are.
A+.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

I didn't know any of these people, and I love them all.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.  It looks like a very expensive show to make, and that you can see every dollar up there on the screen.  It's much better if you can watch it on a large flat screen.
A+

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

The show has it's own stamp.  I don't know if it's the director's doing.
No grade.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Very soon.  First the present, then where they are going in the past.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?.

It always seems a little short, which is a tribute to how riveting it is.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Incredibly and totally.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I didn't see anything coming, and there are many surprises.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Often.  And how I can't wait to see the next one.
A+.

Is it funny?

When it needs to be.  More ironic than funny.
A.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

I'd fork over the dough.
A+.

Is it impressive?

Incredibly
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

"Timeless" is now a major event in our house. 
My wife feels exactly the same way.
There are very few shows that we agree about.
And we agree totally.
So far, every week, it has been a ripping yarn.

P.S.---"The Last Hurrah", perhaps John Ford's greatest movie, or at least his greatest non-western, is on Turner Classic Movies tonight.  Tivo it if you can, or if you don't care about the baseball, just watch it.  You'll thank me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card: "Mascots"

The DVDs are not coming as fast as I'd like them to, so I'm exploring Netflix to do Report Cards.
"Mascots" is  another Chris Guest bashing of bad show business in the tradition of "Best In Show"
"A Mighty Wind"and "Waiting For Guffman" 
I loved those.
Whatever you felt about those, you'll probably feel about "Mascots"

On to the scoring:

Is it entertaining?

Almost always.
A.

Is it controversial?

Not really.
B.

Is it a story worth telling?

It sure is imaginative.  I don't know if there really is a Mascots competition, but if there is, they really captured the best of what it would be like, while satirizing it at the same time.
A+

Is it good storytelling?

Totally.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A+.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

The usual Chris Guest stock company is on hand: Bob Balaban, Jane Lynch, Ed Begley, Chris Guest himself, Fred Willard, and a whole bunch of other wonderfully cast people.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A+

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

It smells like every Chris Guest movie.  I mean that in a good way.
A+.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Just about right.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Guest makes it believable.  And he makes you care about these pathetic creatures.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I didn't see anything coming, and there are many surprises.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Only about how I felt I had already seen this movie with "Guffman" "A Mighty Wind", and "Best In Show".
It is rather formulaic.  But he's found a very good formula.
B.

Is it funny?

Extremely.
A+.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Not really.
C+.

Is it impressive?

Very.
A.

Overall grade: A-.

Glad I saw it, but felt like it was nothing new.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card And Obituary: "Cheers Live On Stage"

This past Saturday, I went to see the production of "Cheers, Live On Stage".
It was very much what you might expect.
I thought at first that it might be a musical adaptation, otherwise why bother.
I quickly learned that it was simply a straight version of the original pilot, and the first few episodes,
cobbled together.
I learned this because I knew someone in the cast:
A terrific actor named Barry Pearl.
He played the Coach.
This is why I attended.
If a friend of mine is in town doing a play, I go.
The first tryout was in Boston.
Then they came here to Chicago.
So I went.
It was the only reason I went.
I was a huge fan of "Cheers" when it first came on.
But after a couple of years, I felt the desperation of the actors to have to get a laugh every eleven seconds.
But the material that they used for cobbling was the show at it's best, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Always.  And they recreated the original set perfectly.  And I didn't remember any of the material.
A+.

Compelling even?

Not really, but it didn't need to be.  You knew what you were getting, and you could just relax and luxuriate in it.
A.

Is it controversial?

Only in that this kind of thing hadn't been tried before this well.  Unless you count "The Jeffersons". 
I'm not. 
Quickly, my attitude became "Why shouldn't they do something like this?
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

It was originally, it is now.
A+.

Is it good storytelling?

It always was.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A+.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

Here's what puts it over the top.  Neither Shelley Long nor Rhea Perlman were in it.
The mere presence of Rhea Perlman made me ill, right from the get-go.
It took a while for Shelley Long to become unbearable to me.
When I was doing my series at Paramount,  "Cheers" was shot right next door to me.
We were always hearing what it how it was on the set.  Apparently, Shelley Long was really like that.
The current replacements were much more appealing, and of course much younger, and were assets.
My friend Barry was sensational.  Easily the best timing of anyone.  He's a few years younger than me and has grown into the right age bracket for the Coach.
Well cast, up and down the line.
A+

Well staged?

Perfectly.
A+

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

No, but it didn't need one.  There were no mistakes made.
A+

How long does it take to establish the show's locale and time period?

It wasn't even addressed.  It transcends time.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

At about two hours  with an intermission, it was perfect.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

If you ever did, you still will.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

Vaguely predictable, but it mattered not at all.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Only about how much I enjoyed it.
A+.

Is it funny?

Hilarious.
A+.

Was it  worth the twenty-five bucks it cost to see it?

Easily.
A+

Is it impressive?

Utterly.  Anything done that well is wildly impressive.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

That's the good news.  Barry accompanied my wife and I to a late lunch after we saw the matinee,
and informed me that he was just told that they are closing the show after tomorrow's matinee.
There were about three hundred people in a house that held about five hundred.
They just couldn't sell enough tickets.
They were booked to play like nine more cities, like St. Louis and Pittsburgh, but now he was already packing his bags to check out the next morning and head back to L.A. where he lived.
He hid it well, but he was practically in tears.
It certainly took much of the joy out of the day.
This really deserved a better fate.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, If and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I Will Be On The Internet Air On Wednesday Night.

I have a friend who has a very popular regular Wednesday Night Live podcast.
His name is Stu Shostak..
He has invited me to be his guest this Wednesday Night.
It is live, and runs from 7pm to about 10pm Eastern Time.
6pm to 9pm Central Time..
5pm to 8pm Mountain Time .
An 4pm to 7pm Pacific Time.
We will be covering my early career.
A lot of Odd Couple, some Happy Days.
If you want to hear it from the horses mouth, that's where it will be.
If you are a regular reader, you'll hear stories you've heard before.
But you'll also hear stories you've never heard.


This is from Stu:

OK, I've cut together an opening from that Odd Couple episode (funny
stuff) for us for next week and you are now advertised on the
www.stusshow.com web site, so take a look. I've also put up a post
on Facebook that is getting numerous "likes".

If you want to link to the show from your blog, use the above URL and
tell your readers to look for the boombox icon and click the PLAY
button at the appropriate time next week to hear us live...and to
send e-mails, they should use comments@stusshow.com.

You can Google Stu's Show to get to his website.
If you want to watch the Giants vs. the Mets, just turn off the sound and multi-task.
That's what I'd do.

I think it will be fun.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waiting Fifty Years To Be Disappointed..

I used to love the sitcom "Our Miss Brooks".
It starred Eve Arden.  She was great.
By the time she did "The Mothers-In-Law", her timing was shot.
She over-emphasized every word she had.
But on "Our Miss Brooks", her timing was impeccable.
Richard Crenna played the role of his career---Walter Denton, the geeky-voiced high school student
and confidante of Miss Brooks.
He was hilarious. 
As was Jane Morgan, the actress who played Mrs. Davis, Miss Brooks screwy landlady.
And this was where Gale Gordon broke in what later became Mr. Mooney on the Lucy Show as
Principal Osgood Conklin, with even more bombast than Mr. Mooney ever had.
I hadn't seen the show in over fifty years, but had nothing but fond memories of it.
Recently, MeTV decided to add "Our Miss Brooks to it's Monday through Friday lineup.
As soon as I found out about it I set the Tivo for it to see as many episodes as I could.
I was really jazzed by the thought that somebody would think to do this
All the good things I said about it still applied, but it was overwhelmed by its horribl.e writing.
Every episode involved the type of scheming and misunderstanding that was the hallmark of every episode of "Three's Company".
As a viewer, you can't be ahead of them in terms of storytelling.
On this show, you always are.
Way too predictable.  Constantly.
My taste was a little less sophisticated fifty years ago.
But as well as well performed as it is, that's how unbearable it is to watch now.
So I've just removed it from my Tivo.
I've now watched enough of them to realize that it's not going to get any better.
Sometimes you can't go home again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"The Wrecking Crew!"

This one is a little different. 
It's not a new movie.
It was made in 2008.
I recently discovered it on Netflix.
And I'm so glad I did.
It is about the greatest musicians of their time.
Perhaps of all time.
Their heyday was from the 1950s through the 1970s.
They were Los Angeles based session musicians.
About fifteen of them.
They backed up everyone who was worth recording.
They never toured as a group.
But they certainly could have.
And they and all of their clients called them "The Wrecking Crew"
They were always in demand.
Always.
If Sinatra was recording and these guys (and a girl) weren't available, he'd wait until they were.
They invented the "sound" for the Beach Boys.
We're just scratching the surface.
Their influence on the entire recording industry has been overwhelming.
The only thing they weren't was individually famous.
The only one you might have ever heard of is Glen Campbell.
And this was all before he became famous as a singer.
They didn't seem to care about being famous.
They almost never traveled.
They cared about having normal lives.
And the money was pretty good too.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Constantly
A+.

Compelling even?

Constantly
A+.

Is it controversial?

They made unique life choices.  I guess you could say that was controversial.
A.

Is it a story worth telling?

It's an amazing story.
A+

Is it good storytelling?

Expert storytelling.
A+.

Is it well written?

Very.
A+.

Is it well cast?  Well played?

Considering it's a documentary, everybody is more than interesting.
A+.

Well shot?

Very.
A+

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

It was made by one of their children.  You could feel the love oozing through the screen.
A+.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

I could have gone another hour.
A+.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

It's all true.  And it's uplifting and occasionally heartbreaking.
A+.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

I knew nothing about it going in, and was surprised by everything.
A+.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

Enough so that I want to keep re-watching it.
A+.

Is it funny?

Have you ever known a group of musicians who weren't funny?
A+.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Name your price.
A+

Is it impressive?

Utterly.
A+.

Overall grade: A+.

If you don't have Netflix, go out and get it.  You might like "House of Cards" too.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Card---"Maggie's Plan"

  "Maggie's Plan is boring.  It is a chick-flick.
It is a boring chick-flick.
Maggie is played by a complete uninteresting unknown, at least to me.  (Greta Gerwig)
She wants a child, but she doesn't want to be in love.
Any idea where this might be going?

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Never.
F.

Compelling even?

An absurd question.
F.

Is it controversial?

Only about the various options for conceiving children these days.
C.

Is it a story worth telling?

Not the way they tell it..
C.

Is it good storytelling?

If it was, it wouldn't be so boring.
F.

Is it well written?

It is undistinguished.
C.

Is it well cast? Well played?

The peripheral actors, (Bill Hader,  Maya Rudolph) are given far to little to do. 
Ethan Hawke is rather good.  But there is a big hole where a star ought to be. Julianne Moore, who is not Julianna Margulies, does a rather unconvincing European accent with a decent sized part..
I just watched Hader on Seth Myers last night, and he plugged everything in sight, but not "Maggie's Plan".  That should tell you something.
B-.

Well shot?

All right..
B+.

Did the director put such a personal stamp on it so that no one else could have made it?

Only in the sense that it had to have been directed and written by women.
C-.

How long does it take to establish the film's locale and time period?

Immediately.
A.

Is it too long? Too short?

Way too long.
C.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

I suppose, and not at all..
B.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

The ending takes a surprising and unsatisfying turn.
F.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

No.
C.

Is it funny?

No sense of humor is on display.
F.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

Not any bucks.
F.

Is it impressive?

Never.
F

Overall grade: D.

Not the worst thing I've ever seen.  That's the best thing I can say about it.
I wish I had something better to report on, the first time out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's That Time Of Year.

In yesterday's mail, I received my first DVD from the West Coast.
My first screener from a Hollywood studio seeking my support for the movie in question.
They want my vote justifying that the film is award worthy.
The second week in September is when this usually starts.
From now on, the the deluge will begin.
Usually about half of them will actually BE award-worthy.
For you veterans of this website, this means the beginning of "Report Card" season.
And unless there is a major event that I wish to comment on, this blog will be taken up with
Report Cards .
For the uninitiated, all I want to know in a movie review is whether or not I would want to see it, backed up by good reasons, revealing no more than I have to about the plot..
I do it by asking the same questions for each movie and answering them.
If you see these movies and generally agree with me, then I should be your go-to reviewer.
If you don't, you should probably ignore this blog until awards season is over .
So you can't say you haven't been warned.

-----------------------------------------------------------  
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

A Problem With "I Love Lucy"

Okay, so how pointless is it for anybody to criticize "I Love Lucy".
It has been easily the most successful sitcom of all time.
And justifiably so.
It's certainly the only sitcom that has transcended the black-and white era.
Kids of all eras including this one know about it and watch it.
Even though it is in black-and-white.
There is no other sitcom that this can be said about.
Perhaps what I'm going to bring up will seem niggling.
But it bugs me every time they do it.

1- When Ricky is on his way home from rehearsals at the club, he'll stop off at the candy store right downstairs to let Lucy know that he's practically home.
This is done to put pressure on Lucy, who is always up to something at these moments.
And this adds to the pressure.
I mean, he's practically home.
Why would he do this?
Purely to accelerate the plot.
Sorry, this not nearly a good enough reason.
I always found this to be unacceptable.

2- Whenever Lucy wanted a new dress or a new hat, or a new whatever, Ricky's continuing mantra was always "We can' afford it!" 
This translates to "We can't afford it!"
According to Ricky, they could never afford anything.
They lived in a rent-controlled apartment in Mid Town Manhattan.
And Ricky worked as a big-time bandleader at the "Tropicana Clupp".
Later known as the "Clupp Babaloo".
It was always very successful.
He must have been paid pretty well.
So how come they could never afford anything?
He must have been making a pretty good living.
So where did the money go?
I have a theory:
The money went for hookers.
And maybe Lucy suspected it and simply didn't want to confront him about it.
Much like their actual marriage.
Although in life they never had trouble affording anything.

Other than these two things, I found the show adorable.

-----------------------------------------------------------  
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

"What??? And Leave Show Business???

There was an actress with a list of credits a mile long, mostly from the 1930's into the mid 1940's.
Her name was June Gittelson.
She was in the original "King Kong", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", and "Gold Diggers of 1933"
I don't remember her in any of them.
And I don't remember most of her other movies
She was predominantly a bit player.
She was extremely obese.
In over forty of her IMDB entries, which was most of them,  her character is described as "fat girl, or 'heavy-set girl".
Maybe it's a record.
She came to my attention when recently I watched the movie "Sing, You Sinners" on TCM.
"Sing, You Sinners" is a delightful musical comedy starring Bing Crosby, Fred MacMurray, and a very young Donald O'Connor.
They play nightclub entertainers.  And there's a moment in one of their numbers where Bing Crosby invites a huge obese lady to dance with him.
And that was the first time I laid eyes on June Gittelson.
To my knowledge.
This led me to the IMDB page for "Sing, You Sinners".
There was an actress billed as "fat girl (uncredited)"
This led me to wonder how many other actresses shared the same skill set for work.
I don't know how often she had to audition for her roles.
Was it simply "Get me June Gittelson!!!"  or "Get me a June Gittelson type!!
Or did she have to trudge over to whichever studio was holding auditions for fat girls this week, where she had to face a roomful of other fat girls.
I'm guessing that she not only had to trudge, but had to trudge by bus.
"The Odd Couple" had it's own version of June Gittelson.
Her name was June Smaney.
Whenever we did Felix's opera club she was there as a member.
Tony insisted.
She sang, too.
Lot's o' credits, but only one that referred to her as "fat lady"
June Gittelson left us in 1983.  Almost to the point where casting her in anything would  be considered wildly politically incorrect.
But that didn't stop me from hiring a fat lady in an episode of "She's The Sheriff" where we were doing a play on the expression  "It ain't over until the fat lady sings".
And we got a real fat lady who sings.
But I remember being quite solicitous and apologetic about the fact that she was cast because she was hefty.
She said "Don't worry about it".
And at least she sang great.
I don't even remember her  name.
I couldn't believe that either June was happy about her position in show business.
Who knows?  Maybe they had totally blissful lives.
I know they both ate well.
And if I hadn't brought it up, probably nobody would remember June Gittelson's name either.
So if I rescued June Gittelson from complete obscurity for this brief time,, giving her one day in the sun, then maybe I've accomplished something.

-----------------------------------------------------------  
My books, "Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not e-books.
But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one.
If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@comcast.net
And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.