JUNE 1991

I make a living as a television developer. These days, I am becoming a rare breed. After several seasons of trying to get a television series on the air, I’m still in development with five comedy scripts and two pilots. I’m also faced with the reality that the abundant market I was nurtured on is fast fading. Network television is shrinking and is just another switch on the remote control. It’s not even about choice. It’s so easy to go from station to station until you find a minute here and there. There’s something for everyone, even in other languages. My work has never been more challenging. While I wait to see what the next season looks like without my input, I try to second-guess the market’s future needs. I also remain hopeful that my ideas and passion will stay fast as economic reality continues to spread over our lives. The bottom line is that there’s just not as much money being moved around at the networks. With all the new choices, including video rentals, and the tight money mood, I’m doing what any developer does: speculate, take risks and wish upon a star.

While the TV business sorts itself out and the famous Katzenberg memo circulates around town, I’ve been out, too. This last month was an eclectic mix of fun and good causes. I went to see the Pet Shop Boys at the Amphitheater. It was a pretty extravagant stage show for three songs with a lot of symbolism that I didn’t get. Boy, I really miss musicians on stage. This is pop music as art event, except that it’s more art than pop for my taste.

I also went by City Restaurant for drinks. Still a favorite spot, and the vegetarian plate is the best. I saw Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzwieg while discussing the future of sketch comedy on PBS with my partner, Anne Beatts. I also went by the ever so fabulous Asylum for dinner. This is “the place”. Almost impossible to get into this fuss. It works if you like being asked by the valet if you have a reservation before they’ll take your car, and if you like a security guard/host checking to see if you name is on the list before you can get by the velvet rope at the door. Inside, it’s baronial and glowing. I’d say this is art as restaurant. Very unusual decor. It’s faux marble 21st century style with creative plumbing supply fixtures. The food is an unnamed cuisine that I will label for the moment “post modern” food. This is an adventure in dining with the challenge of getting a reservation and getting through the front door. You either have to be someone or want to be someone to eat here. I had a good time, but I didn’t see any stars to mention, though I heard that Scott Baio and Al Burton were there a few nights before.

I went to the HAMAS cocktail hour at Ma Maison Sofitel. This organization for Hispanics in the media had a terrific opening night with and enormous crowd and salsa band. Julie Carmen and Robert Beltran attended before the screening of their film noir Kiss Me Killer. Over the next few days, there were seminars and conferences on the problem of perception and programming for one of the largest audiences in the world. There isn’t a single Hispanic sitcom on television and most Hispanic characters are depicted as criminals and domestics. A few of those unproduced scripts that Anne Beatts and I worked on were about Latino family life. We feel more than ever we’re onto something. From there, I went to a party at The Four Seasons Hotel for Comedy Television (CTV). AT curbside I saw one of the biggest Hispanic stars, Edward James Olmos. I almost told him that he should be at the party up the street. Inside I saw Alan King, Weird Al Yankovitz, Paul Provenza, Edie Adams, Robert Downey. I’m hoping this network makes it. The last time I saw this crowd was last year when they started the MTV-HA network. The next day, I saw the biggest comedy star of all in the lobby of ICM – Eddie Murphy. I almost told him that he should have been at the party the night before.

I got back to NYC for another whirlwind monthly poetry reading of Poetry In Motion at Tommy Tang’s. We’re a hit. WE even got dissed in the New Yorker! Ally Sheedy dropped by to read. I went by Saturday Night Live and hung out backstage. Michael Bolton was the musical guest and Steven Seagal was the host. He insisted on never smiling in order to be bunny. There was a cool party afterwards, and as usual I went everywhere and did everything in a matter of days.

Went to see several plays, including I Hate Hamlet with Nicol Williamson, who was magnificent, Advice To A Caterpillar with Dennis Christopher and Ally Sheedy, and a great one man show Mambo Mouth starring John Leguizamo. Back to LA and the special screening of Our Sons with Ann-Margaret and Julie Andrews who attended the benefit for The Los Angeles Shanti Foundation. Shanti services those affected by life-threatening illness and their families. They have been around for eight years and came about as a response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The do great work ensuring people that they are not alone, and help make a difference in the quality of life for their clients. Our Sons is a touching film about the effect of AIDS on two mothers with very different backgrounds. It will broadcast on ABC. IT reminded me once again why I wanted to work in television and that good things are still possible in my business.