About this episode

Dan O'Shannon discusses his experiences in television writing and comedy, including his work on iconic shows like Cheers and Modern Family.

Dan O'Shannon joined me to discuss Cleveland kids TV and his documentary; going to Cleveland State for a year; doing stand up; getting to know his character; buying a Cheers script to find a template for a spec script; Marc Sotkin reads spec, hires him on It's A Living; writes for Safe at Home; writes a freelance Charmings; getting hired with writing partner Tom Anderson on Newhart; writing a freelance Cheers on off time; coming up with the Newhart finale at same time as Bob's wife; Cheers episode "Two Girls for Every Boyd"; "Who is Cliff Clavin" and Alex Trebek's acting; Spanky MacFarlane; almost getting Bill Clinton; "Severe Crane Damage" - did not write We Will Rock You opening; Freudian slip joke; coining the phrase "Did I say that out loud"; writing the episode were Lilith divorces Frasier; "Woody Gets an Election"; Kelsey Grammar becomes Frasier; the last name Kraypence; his 1993 sitcom The Boys with Anthony Edwards replaced by Christopher Meloni; Suddenly Susan with Rodney Dangerfield; Oscar nominee for Redux Riding Hood; Maggie; Frasier episodes "Sliding Doors", "Rooms with a View"; Don Juan in…

People in this episode

Host: Ian Fermaglich

Guest: Dan O'Shannon

Topics covered

• television writing
• comedy
• Cleveland TV
• sitcoms
• character development
• spec scripts

Keywords

• Dan O'Shannon
• Cheers
• Newhart
• Modern Family
• television writing
• Cleveland
• spec script
• sitcoms
• comedy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cheers, Newhart, Modern Family, It's A Living, Safe at Home

Books & works: What are you Laughing At, The Adventures of Mrs. Jesus, Redux Riding Hood, The Boys, Suddenly Susan, Fly with Me, Undeck the Halls, Sliding Doors, Rooms with a View, Don Juan in Hell

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