I Can't Explain
When a movie or TV show fails, people line up to explain where it went wrong. I always say failure is the norm in show business--you need to explain success. (The rare success pays for all the flops.)
That's what I was reminded of while considering the ill-fated Dana Carvey Show from 1996. I knew one of the writers at the time, Jon Glaser, but didn't realize what a staff they had. It included Steve Carell, Louis C. K., Stephen Colbert, Robert Smigel, Dave Chappelle and Charlie Kaufman, all of whom went on to great success. So why didn't the show succeed? Well, probably because no one wanted variety any more anyway, but, really, no need to explain.
posted by LAGuy @ 12:21 AM
2 Comments:
Was Dana the problem? He kinda disappeared after Bush/Perot were out the spotlight. Why was that?
Carvey was one of the biggest names on SNL in the late-80s/early-90s. But sooner or later, you've got to leave the show. Most then hope to make it in movies or prime time TV.
Carvey got his shot. He was in Wayne's World, which was huge, but that was seen as more due to Mike Myers. Carvey's attempts at solo movie stardom, particularly Opportunity Knocks and Clean Slate, flopped. He also turned down a chance to replace Letterman when Dave left NBC. After it looked like movies weren't going to happen, he did go for a prime time show, which is what this post is about. Any series is a crapshoot, and he rolled snake eyes. The show may have been good, but I don't think any prime time variety show would have worked--the audience seems to be gone for that genre.
After that, he had botched open heart surgery and needed several operations to get back in shape. He did make a relatively successful comeback film (hated by the critics) Master Of Disguise, but has mostly he's been taking it easy lately.
Post a Comment
<< Home