Oh boy. LOL. Also, sometimes I've had to let things simmer and get back to them to know what ultimately happens and where the characters want to go...they don't always tell me right away.

That's the difference between the great shows on stations like HBO, ShowTime, FX, and AMC and the networks (and us great writers who already know this and don't subscribe to the pressure of putting out stuff just to put out stuff). Those channels may make you wait a bit for the next season of (fill in the blank) but in most cases it sure is worth it ! However, I do at times, wish I could come up with a great 'concept' movie so I could make a quick buck.

Thanks a bunch DUDE !

Thanks DUDE ! I will keep you posted on what the needs of the show are...you MAY want to see it first, my cast ROCKS and we will be adding/inviting outside guests down the road...

Although do not dismiss the gift of 'life's interruptions' because you NEVER EVER know what 'writing gifts' lurk in these unforseen and unexpected experiences.

Wow...well done Robert...Although I was a big fan of David Licata's lyric as well.

I really can't wait to see it just because...I do think Ms. Lange is an incredible actress...my feeling is it ain't gonna be as good as the documentary (ha ha)...

Well Andrew it certainly does NOT matter to me and let us not forget Clay Aiken who was a tad more subtle about his 'orientation', and seemed to sneak to second place under the radar. Adam Lambert is da BOMB (yes I'm still addicted to American Idol although I'm even a bigger fan of "So You Think You Can Dance"), and unfortunately it still matters to a lot of folks out there, otherwise Ms. Seacrest would be 'out' as well.

I agree with you John. Loved the movie. I didn't see Milk but I did love Mickey in this movie. One thing though, lest not forget Mr. Rourke in "Diner" - everyone was great in that. I also cannot not watch the award shows even if I tried. It's a guilty pleasure I do not see letting go of. Thanks John.

Betty Davis - What Ever Happened to Baby Jane...

Oy....this is impossible...Off the top of my head. Giancarlo Giannini - Swept Away and The Seduction of Mimi.

I hear ya I really do...I guess for me it just strikes so close to home because I have 'family members' who very much resemble Big and Little Edie and it just hits me where I live (there I admitted why I'm so stubborn on this point)...That being said, my opinion CLEARLY cannot be the only one..

David - in the 50's and before we would classify these two ladies as 'nutty' but with all the self help and self awareness out there now, unless they are Woody Allen characters where they would simply be characerized as 'neurotics' we pretty much all know that this "nutty = mental illness". I'm not a professional but have had enough therapy to know. Sorry to be such a stickler on this point but I just can't let this one slide.

Especially when you have shows like, "Rescue Me", "Nip/Tuck", "Dexter", "Six Feet Under", "Breaking Bad", "Mad Men", etc. Lots of great tv (mostly on cable) that provokes thought through creative thinking...

I like your take on the original. I would need to see it again to have your '2nd and 3rd' view. Mental illness is definitely there (first hand knowledge but not me fortunately), and from an observational view a most brilliant piece for exposing dysfunction. Like "What's Life Got To Do With It" did in a theatrical way.

I've had writing partners where it was a great marriage and other writing partners where I couldn't wait to get divorced. It's such a chemistry thing - it really is a 'marriage' of sorts and when it works it's heaven. I write two comedy review shows in college with 3 other writers and that was a very special time in my life...Then a few years later I wrote a comedy review show with two other writers (3's can be bad anyway) and I wanted to X one of the writers - amazingly the show got written and written well and was well reviewed but there ain't nothing like great chemistry.

Yeah...of course actresses 'who can' would certainly want to dwelve into great characters such as these but after I saw the documentary which for personal was gutwrenching I had no desire to see it as a musical (almost a cruel joke for such sad sick characters to be made into), and only a little interested maybe not for the best reasons to see the HBO film version.

It was a genius idea for sure ! and like you say the subtleties were fantastical !

MST3K Oh where have you gone now huh? MST3K

I don't know :). But it does seem to be a fun (or exquisite even better) idea...I'll be curious to see all the other pieces in the show.

For me it depends on two factors, one - who's in the movie...I am forgiving to my favorite actors and can let go of any 'defects' in the film, (Dustin Hoffman for one)...but my nitpicking recently relates to seeing second tier actors and what other movies or t.v. shows I've seen them in. When they look familiar I can't concentrate on the movie until I figure out what I've most recently seen them in. I.e. Dan in Real Life, one of the characters playing I believe his sister or sister-in-law (see?) turned out to have played one of the office managers in THE OFFICE (which she probably got cast as after playing this part in the movie with Steve Carrell (oh I analyze the whole scenario as well( and I couldn't relax until I put the pieces together. It happens to me all the time now. Different kind of nitpicking, same issue.

Wow that's my birthday (and it's a BIG ONE but not telling)....Hmmmmmmm would love to be there hope I can...VERY EXCITING THOUGH and CONGRATS ! ! ! ! !! !

Question being: why does it have to be on the networks? Unfortunately not everyone is aware enough to get the other cool stuff but I'm just darn grateful there is such a thing as cable. THAT has given me renewed faith that there is a forum for what I like...HELL, I get my news from The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.

Yes AGREED ! ! ! I as well am older the Mr. Prez. And I just think he's perfect for the job... ! ! ! FINALLY !

There are some fantastic shows on tv. I loved Boston Legal, Dirty Sexy Money, Survivor, was REALLY SAD when Arrested Development got cancelled although they are making a film of it and it should have been picked up by Showtime or HBO or FX, Breaking Bad, Rescue ME, Lots of other stuff on FX, It's Always Sunny in CA is hilarious, STARVED was groundbreaking, DEXTER rocks (although it's starting to jump the shark), Californication, etc. There is AMAZING TV out there, sometimes I think the quality is so much better then most movies which bums me out....that's why I'm starting to write original tv stuff of my own...