#46 - Barnet Kellman

SnarkMonkey

Barnet Kellman is most closely associated with being part of the creative team of the groundbreaking TV series Murphy Brown directing every episode of the first three seasons of the series (in addition to the series finale.) But he's done so much more and his journey to get there included displaying pure chutzpah at Colgate University to working in small theaters in daytime drama in New York to becoming a go-to name in Hollywood for directing TV pilots; a first episode that (presumably) sets the template for what is to come. (And, to his credit, those pilots included Mad About You, Suddenly Susan, The George Lopez Show and many others.) In fact, we get some insight into what can make a television pilot special enough that viewers will want to spend seasons/years with the people in that world.

Now he's imparting much of this wisdom to the young, creative minds of tomorrow as a Professor of Cinematic Arts at USC, as well as going back to his roots in the theater this summer directing Judith Ivey and Estelle Parsons in Israel Horovitz's play "Out of the Mouths of Babes" Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Theater.

A smart, funny, talented man - great storyteller - fantastic conversation - enjoy Barnet Kellman!

Also, indulge me for a few minutes as I share a few words about Prince and seeing him live in 1981 opening for The Rolling Stones. Things did not go well for him that day - but it obviously didn't seem to hold him back any. -LM