From GOLDENFIDDLE: Goldenfiddle brings us this must-read panel discussion on the current state of dark/subversive comedy in the context of current television. The panel — which features Bob Odenkirk, “Arrested Development” creator Mitch Hurwitz, one of the creators of “Wonder Showzen”, and others — even boldly toys with the notion that television writing has never been “funnier or more interesting than it is right now.” I’m pretty sure “Yes, Dear” is off the air… maybe this is an old inteview?
Vernon Chatman (Wonder Showzen): Yeah, I’ve worked on a lot of shitty shows. My first show I worked on was The Keenen Ivory Wayans Show. It was the first job I ever had. I learned, even if you’re on a shitty show, don’t try to bend yourself to them. Because I ended up writing a bunch of good stuff that I used later that was insane. Keenen did an article a couple of years ago, and they asked him, ‘What’s the worst pitch you ever got?’ And it was, ‘Some writer pitched that the show start with a helicoptor holding a yak, and the yak lands and a team pulls the yak into the stage and they slice open the yak and I -Keenen Ivory Wayans- drop onto the stage and start the show.’ That guy made White Chicks, and that’s the worst pitch he ever got? I pitched that, I swear to God, it didn’t occur to me that that was totally insane.
- TONIGHT: Letterman has Amy Sedaris and Will Arnett. Conan has Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Nealon, and Locksley.
