Ken Levine's comedy depends on people who know exactly how to annoy one another. We rate his work with David Isaacs highly: the jokes grow out of character, though familiar quarrels can become too familiar.
Fi1m perspective
In Cheers (1982), an insult is only half the joke; the other half is how badly somebody takes it. That is a useful way into Ken Levine's comedy, which relies on an ensemble having reasons to keep arguing. We laughed at the wounded pride in Cheers, because the cast make taking offence as funny as giving it. Levine is a fine writer for such company, though it would be wrong to give him sole credit for what a whole writing team and cast achieve.
David Isaacs is central to the work: the two have a long writing partnership, developing scripts together by dictating to an assistant. Levine joined the staff of MASH (1972) in 1976 and later took on head writer duties. Their episode Point of View*, filmed from a wounded soldier's perspective, shows a willingness to change how an established programme tells its stories. We value the series for its humane comedy, despite the dated jokes and occasional lectures; that departure from its usual format gives us something more specific to admire in the partnership.
The move to the writing staff of Cheers in 1982 put Levine alongside creators Glen and Les Charles. The series also demonstrates the risk in character-led comedy: repeat an argument often enough and familiarity stops helping. That does not cancel the pleasure of watching its cast find fresh indignation in an old grievance. With Isaacs, he also wrote early episodes of The Simpsons (1989), including Dancin' Homer, contributing to a programme whose sharpest stretches allow tenderness to survive some merciless jokes.
Frasier (1993), which he began writing for in 1994, made use of his ability to handle established characters, including Lilith. Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce make the precise writing work by knowing how long to wait; Levine also directed for the programme. He and Isaacs went on to co-create Almost Perfect (1995), so there is more to their partnership than finding fresh business for familiar people. The established ensembles nevertheless give us ample reason to seek out his work. Start with Frasier, allowing for the misunderstandings that carry on after the jokes have run dry.
Biography
Ken Levine (also credited as Kenneth Levine) is an American screenwriter, director and producer. Born on 14 February 1950 in Santa Monica, California, he graduated from UCLA in 1972. He began his career in radio as a disc jockey before moving into television writing, collaborating frequently with David Isaacs.
Levine wrote episodes of MASH (1972), Cheers (1982) and The Simpsons (1989), including the Simpsons episodes "Dancin' Homer" and "Saturdays of Thunder". He wrote for and directed episodes of Frasier (1993). With Isaacs he created the series Almost Perfect* (1995).
He has directed episodes of Wings, Everybody Loves Raymond, Dharma & Greg and Becker. Levine has also worked as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball teams including the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres, and has hosted the podcast Hollywood & Levine.
