Category: Misc.

Have You Read Herbie J Pilato’s MARY: THE MARY TYLER MOORE STORY?

Substack.Com calls itself “The home for great writing,” and we can tell you this much – they sure prove they know their business with this excerpt of the new paperback Edition of Herbie J Pilato’s bio of Mary Tyler Moore.  Fine, tasty writing by one of TVWriter™’s favorite boychiks. (The “chik” thing got you worried? Nothing sexist here, honest. Look it up.)

“Oh, Rob!” – New Paperback Edition of
MARY: THE MARY TYLER MOORE STORY
via substack.com

As explored in the new paperback edition of MARY: THE MARY TYLER MOORE STORY, by TV personality Herbie J Pilato, the series catapulted Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore into national stardom. As Rob and Laura Petrie, this dynamic duo became one of TV’s most likable married couples.  And thanks to syndication, their comedic and musical adventures have never left the air. read article

Herbie J Pilato on the Passing of Ed Asner

Ed Asner was an actors’ actor. You name it, he could do it, and probably do it best. Without him, there would still have been a Mary Tyler Moore Show, but we here at TVWriter™ don’t believe for a minute that it would have been the much-acclaimed, uberpopular, multiple Emmy Award winner it was. Here’s Herbie J’s take on a helluva guy.

Photo by Dan Holm

He Had Spunk! A Tribute to Ed Asner
by Herbie J Pilato

“I regard myself as a beautiful musical instrument, and my role is to contribute that instrument to scripts worthy of it.” (Ed Asner in a recent interview with author Herbie J Pilato.)

Asner died August 29, 2021, at age 91. read article

Speaking of Labor Day

Man, Our Wondrously Disnified Showbiz Really has the Boss/Worker Thing Down, Doesn’t It?

TVWriter™ is taking the day off today, because we believe all working people deserve to:

  • BE SHOWN APPRECIATION FOR ALL THEY DO
  • ENJOY A DAY OF REST

And also because we believe that the American labor union movement is something to be appreciated, supported, and when you get right down to it, cherished.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LABOR MOVEMENT AND ITS HISTORICAL CONTEXT HERE

We’ll be back tomorrow with our usual beginning-of-the-week fare! read article

munchman: Mike Richards is OUT of ‘Jeopardy’

The only a-hole allowed around here is munchman!

This New York Times subhead says it all:

Three weeks after naming him as Alex Trebek’s replacement to host the show, Sony cited “disruption and internal difficulties” in its announcement that he will leave the program entirely.

And so we wave a not-so-fond “adieu” to a guy who achieved 2 major dubious distinctions to the world in, what, about 4 weeks? read article

WGAW September 2021 Calendar

Here’s what going on, socially and professionally,  at the Writers Guild of America West this month:

September 2021

Until further notice, the Guild has suspended in-person committee meetings and events, member meetings, and screenings at the Writers Guild Theater. Virtual events are listed below. Members must RSVP in advance to receive access info to participate in online events. read article