Pete and Cliff on "Valentine's Day Massacre"

The following is the second in an ongoing series of blogs by the writers of the previous night’s episode.  The first was written by Pete, the second by Cliff. 

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Now it’s morning, and last night, Cliff and my second episode aired.  We’re both proud of it, and feel that the hard work paid off.  Writing for TV, as David Marshall Grant (he of good humor and bad back) said, can be a terrific grind.  It can be oppressive at times, and liberating at times, but it is always exhausting.

I can say, honestly, the night after Cliff and I turned in the first act of our episode that I have never been more tired. 

[I’m not sure if I should admit that the following actually happened.  The proud writer in me wants to pretend that everything that Cliff and I wrote was gold, and was seen as such immediately by our bosses.  That part of me wants to make everyone think that there’s a talent in me that is breezy and fast.  I wish.]

After talking through the story of the episode with Greg, we were sent off to write.  So we did.   And we turned in the first act (the phone tree, and the two next scenes) the next day.  He read them.  His response:  “Good.  But it’s not good enough.  Go deeper.”   “Go deeper” we thought as we left his office.  Alright.  That sounds like a good idea.  Deeper. We’ll go deeper.  Except… how?

That’s when the fear hit us.  First it was the breed of fear when you’re not doing a good job, the fear of letting people down (in this case Greg and Robbie, who have been nothing but kind, nurturing and confident in us).  Then, it morphed into the terror of having no idea how to actually make it better.

So, facing a deadline, and worried to death about what our bosses might think of us if we turned in a stinking pile of poop, we sat down and we wrote.  We emerged later, red eyed and slightly delusional, with what you saw.

I’ve reflected on that moment, of walking out of Greg’s office after he told us to go deeper.  A big part of his job is wringing the most water out of the towel as he can.  And that’s what he was doing to us – but it was the way he did it, the way he made us feel that he thought we could do it that makes him so good at his job (oh man, I hope he doesn’t read this; he’ll undoubtedly come into my office and make fun of me for trying to kiss his ass – you see, no one in the office misses an opportunity to give shit to the young staff writers). 

We hope everyone enjoyed the episode.  I don’t think I’ll ever get over how surreal and exciting it is to see the words we wrote come to life.  I think that that, past all the fear and the pressure, is what makes this the best job in the world.  And then we got a helicopter?  I mean, come on.

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I hope you folks enjoyed “Valentines Day Massacre,” because we sure had a hell of a time getting it to you.  As you’ll read in Pete’s blog, the writing process wasn’t “easy,” but it was exciting.  Being on script gives me a high, a euphoric and borderline-manic buzz that comes from having been given a great deal of responsibility as well as complete artistic and creative freedom. That mental rush was especially strong while writing this episode, because I believed, when it was all said and done, that this would be a particularly fun one.  Fun to watch and fun to make.

An interesting thing happened during the process of 116.  When the script was “finished,” (I should say, at a stage when we could start shooting, for there were many revisions on the horizon) and I stepped on set, the creative buzz never left.  Watching our story unfold, watching the greatest cast on television breath life into our words was incredible.  Michael Schultz, our director, had a vision for this episode, and he just ran with it.  I’m glad he did, because he contributed so much.  It turned out better than I had imagined.  It was a pleasure working with / watching / learning from such a pro. 

As always, it was great to spend time with my on-set co-workers.  Pete and the rest of the writers are fairly decent people, but I get to see them every day.  So, it’s always exciting to spend some time with friends on set.  We tell jokes, we do work, we smile.  Some of them are from England.

Here are some highlights from the production of Valentines Day Massacre:
We got a real-life helicopter.  It took off, it landed, it took off.  And it ruled.  It’s not every day that you get to go onto the roof of a Downtown Los Angeles Hotel and watch Calista Flockhart and Rob Lowe absolutely nail a scene you wrote.  It’s not every day that you get to feel somewhat responsible for the actions of a helicopter pilot.  Pete and I had a good day that day.  It felt like we were getting away with something.  Quality character interaction AND bad-ass “action” sequences.  Does this paragraph even make sense?

The pot smoking scene was something special.  It was one of the first days of shooting (maybe the first), and it really set the tone for what would be an efficient, but thoroughly enjoyable shoot.  Margot Kidder showed up on set, and hit it off big-time with Sally Field.  Then, when the cameras rolled, they totally went for it.  They just cracked each other (and the crew) up.  Much of the scene was improvised, and we aired the only appropriate bits of dialogue.  Boy, oh boy did we get some gag-reel material.  Hilarious.

Office Football.  Big part of our lives.  Closed-quarters-you-should-be-working-catch might be my best sport.  I’d like to believe US Senators mess around with pigskins.  Ya’ll know the saying, “If you can’t throw a spiral, you can’t have my vote.”

Roxy.  The part of Michelle, Chad’s beautiful girlfriend, was played by my sister, Roxy.  She was a bit nervous, and so was I.  But when the time came, she absolutely killed it.  I was so proud, and I hope she won’t forget me when she’s famous.  You know you’ve got talent when you can “act” like you’re attracted to Jason Lewis of all people.  She even had to kiss him.  Way to take one for the team, thanks sis.

One last thing.  They did a wonderful job in post.  Each cut of this episode improved dramatically.  It’s amazing what editors can do, how much of an effect they can have on a story.  I don’t get to spend much time with them, but they’re good people.

I’ll stop blogging now. 

Loose Change:
Where did this category go?  It has somehow been lost to the deep, dark abyss of the blogging universe… Can you guess which is Pete’s favorite line from last night?  It’s the one he’s most proud of writing… Dave, the PA, has been a lot quieter lately.  Word is, he’s been working on his standup routine.  But seriously, Dave, can you please get our Starbucks faster?... Oscar just walked by with a huge plate of eggs, piled on top of several slices of bacon… Someone asked this before: the episode you saw last night, according to our numbering system, is number 116.  It airs 14th, because we reshot the pilot (that was 102) and because episode 103 was thrown out.  And that brings us to… Episode progress: 118 being shot, 119 in prep, 120 being written, 121 being broken.

Comments

[will]

Cliff & Pete:
That beginning cell phone rhapsody was something to be very proud of (I will refrain from using that dreadful, over-used, tacky word "Brilliant"). It had a true giddy feel to it. Like a Chopin fantasie impromptu. Like drinking 3 Starbuck Mocha grandes in a row & feeling buzzed & gently frantic.

[Marc]

Kudos guys on a wonderful, sweet, touching and really funny episode. The scene with Sally and Margot was hands down the funniest. I can only imagine how funny the outakes were. Well hopefully they'll be on the DVD. Loved all the romantic couplings, especially between Kevin and Scotty - man those two have some chemistry. The line of "now you know how it feels to love someone who doesn't love himself" - excellent. Cliff, I am sure this has to be a really proud moment for you to be writing an episode of a wonderful show that your Father produces, and to actually write dialogue that your mother and sister will recite. I am sure your Parents feel incredibly proud as well. I'm sure this was probably a special episode for the whole Olin Mishpacha."Thirtysomething"was TV at it best and its nice to see people involved with that classic making excellent television 20 years later. Great job to all.

[will]

Re: these scenes with Holly. They simply don't have the jazz-pizzaz & caffeine buzz the other storylines do.
Hope this doesn't sound silly: What are the chances Norah & Sally could fall for the same man AGAIN? He's 50-ish & dating them both without the other knowing.... all kinds of weird & wonderful drama could occur. Chance meetings, "Dynasty"-style cat-fights (just kidding on the last)

[CJ]

Justin was speaking the perfect truth when he said that his mother's advice would make him a stalker. I understand that crazy relationship drama is standard on TV, but it gets worrisome when nearly all the characters are out of control at the same time. Justin breaking the rules of his program, Kitty once again sliding into sex without actually making a decision first, Kevin having an affair... I can take it for a while, though I feel cheated by how much fun flirtation got skipped when Kitty and the senator went straight to sex, and I do believe that ethics and common sense leave plenty of room for humor and drama. My only request is that anything actually dangerous not be confused with romance. I've had enough already, watching Studio 60 pretend that stalking is sexy.

[Julie]

I really enjoy this show. It's so refreshing to see a show that reflects what many American families experience. There's a truth to this show that people from all ages can relate to, which makes the show believable. My one negative comment thought? I would LOVE to see the music guide updated faster. I know you all are so busy, but it's such a good soundtrack to the episodes that my iPod just becomes impatient!

[Skye]

Please put those pot-smoking outtakes on the d vd!

[Claire]

You both should be very proud. This episode was one of the best this season, and the opening scene was magic!

Kudos on snagging the helicopter! The kissing scene between Calista and Rob rocked! Actually, all their scenes were outstanding. Three words describe them: Chemistry! Chemistry! Chemistry!

Again, CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to see what you guys do next.

[Jim]

Could it have been Sarah's line-"Our family should have a bat signal for stuff this good."- that Pete was so proud of. That line had me rolling. Rachel's delivery was perfect.

[CeCe]

"the way he made us feel that he thought we could do it"

Awww, guys. If what he read was even a fraction of what I saw last night (as you say it was), then there was no way he COULDN'T know you could do it. Brilliant work!

Thank you so much for such a wonderful, REAL episode. You guys are amazing. Please write more more more!!!

[Kong Chang]

Hey, Cliff & Peter,

What episode # are you guys writing next? Any chance you can tell us so we'll look out for it?

And, um, great job on this episode. I already wrote my praise in the blog below, but I am happy you guys brought back Scotty for the Valentine's episode.

KC
Maintainer of Luke MacFarlane Fansite

[will]

& one more thing: For all the "Scotty love" on the blog, I'm not dissappointed with the Chad storyline at all. Kind of took an interesting turn last night. Psychological truism: Jason Lewis gets BETTER looking as his character Chad gets more human & shafted by love. I would like to see Chad get deeply wounded by Kevin - anything to wipe that superficial smirk off his face & deal with the real unhappy pain of relationships & break-ups when that time comes. Michelle has to find out. Maybe Michelle & Kev could end up BOTH rejecting him. (This would be poetic justice & sufficiently painful/human. Chad seems co-dependant under it all - heehee). At any rate, good to see a Chad of growing depth, moving past the cardboard cut-out hunky soap dude.

[tim]

Just soap opera with higher production values. . .and better music. Ugly Betty is better cause it's not in denial about its identity. The dramatic moments there, for this reason, ring more true.

[Karrie]

Boys, this episode was lovely. Starting with the phone-tree at the beginning and just...everything after that. Especially everything with Kitty and the Senator, and the Senator's football-shenanigans.

It was also particularly nice to see Scotty again, even though I'm growing horribly fond of Chad, too. (How does Jason Lewis get more attractive every time we see him? It's like magic!)

Was Pete perhaps the proud papa of Rob Lowe's Demi Moore line? That was my favourite, in any case.

(And, um, Cliff, I don't mean to sound gross or anything, but your sister is SUPERHOT. And I actually quite liked her character, too.)

[Colin]

Good episode. The only problem I had was with the billionaire: what kind of capitalist would empty out an entire restaurant on Valentine's Day, and then not put up a fight when he doesn't get any romance from it?

[Carrie]

You guys should be really proud of the episode you wrote. Fantastic. The beginning cell phone sequence was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time.

[jolo]

Hi! This is my first comment here... I really really love the show!

The Valentine episode was so funny, every scene was hilarious like having a happy pill (i cant stop smiling and laughing) especially Sally and Kevin's scenes..

On the downside, The L Word had also a cell phone conversation for an intro(S04E06-Luck Be a Lady) and their framing and editing were better (just like Ang Lee's Hulk)...no offense.
But your dialogues and the acting were superb! ;]

Aside from the actors, I'm also a fan of the writers, esp. Pete and Colin... Kudos!

Happy Valentine's Day!

[jolo]

Hi! This is my first comment here... I really really love the show!

The Valentine episode was so funny, every scene was hilarious like having a happy pill (i cant stop smiling and laughing) especially Sally and Kevin's scenes..

On the downside, The L Word had also a cell phone conversation for an intro(S04E06-Luck Be a Lady) and their framing and editing were better (just like Ang Lee's Hulk)...no offense.
But your dialogues and the acting were superb! ;]

Aside from the actors, I'm also a fan of the writers, esp. Pete and Colin... Kudos!

Happy Valentine's Day!

[will]

Kitty & the senator playing at love is cool. Chad & Kevin (or Kevin & Scotty) playing at love is cool also. Justin & that chick playing at love is cool (I'm still having a hard time warming up to her, stereotypically "pretty", my verdicts still out), but this is all what Robbie called "glorious confection" on his latest blog. Man can not live by sumptuous chocolates alone (Robbie compared the episode to a box of cholcolates). Where do the CHALLENGING plotlines come in?? I am ready to have my BRAIN involved in this whole B&S experience. Witty, transcendental crack-you-up one-liners, though the skillful BRAVURA of the show - it's signiture - are not enough.

THAT'S why I hope this shading I thought I saw Sunday night making Chad a little more recognizably human is important. Give him grief & depth. It is absolutely possible to choke to death on too much cotton candy.

[anomaly]

Hey boys, great episode! Loved the first act, especially the beginning with the phone sequences. LOVED the helicopter scenes...such chemistry, and wonderful writing, and of course, an awesome helicopter! haha. And like everyone else, I'm SO glad we got to see that cutie Scotty again. I love Chad, but Scotty's really my fav. I hope Kevin didn't mess that up for good this time! The pot smoking scenes were pretty great too...I can only imagine what the outtakes were like. It was a beautiful episode, and y'all should be proud of your work and this show. Neither get enough credit. Can't wait till next week, and tell Dave to get off his ass and get to work on those Starbucks orders! :)

[Mamapapalong]

Nice work, really enjoyed it. But I wish you guys could give Sarah a bit more opportunity, afterall, she is the president of the company, yet she looks fairly useless in the company. I really want to see she kick some butts though.

I like the Kevin bit, fairly true in our gay life. However, it would be nice to have some more dramatic thing gonig on in there (like he fell in love with a refugee or immigrant who will do anything to stay or something, that would probably really piss Kitty. HAHA.)

Tommy and Julia are fairly quiet and so as Saul. Nora and Kitty pretty much took up too much in here. I like them, don't get me wrong, but it is afterall, a story of a big family.

When Justin would be gone, I would really miss him, he is the hottie!

Ah, glad to see Nora being naughty, just like my mum!

[stevenscollege]

I dont think it can be said enough but something very wonderful happened when this show was conceived and these writers were hired and this cast was chosen, just wanted to say. It was good to see Scotty back because now more than ever I realise Scotty is well shot of Kevin (as much as I love Kevin), who is I think pretty much an emotional mess (which is great from a drama point of view) and im VERY much enjoying Chad, to my great suprise, I thought this plot was going to be another closet case rehash but its turning into something else. One other thought if Kevin/Scotty were still together as in Kevin didnt have such a bad case of foot in mouth disease and Scotty wasnt such a drama queen, Kevin would probably have slept with Chad in any case after meeting at the gym, I think thats just Kevin thats what he does and who am I to judge, I rather enjoy Kevin being miserable and one other thing im also loving Kevin`s hair, thats it.

[Fiordiligi]

I still haven't seen this episode, being in the UK and awaiting the arrival of a DVD, but I am desperately anxious to see it and trying to remain a teensy bit unspoiled, even though I already know I'm going to be unreasonably ecstatic about the Senator and Kitty!

There is such a nice conceit about this episode having been written by someone connected to the wonderful thirtysomething. I'm also amused and delighted by the knowing allusions to my beloved Sam Seaborn and to About Last Night.

Thank you so much for sharing the process. It sounds amazing.

Best wishes.

[ilovemylife]

In case you didn’t know: the “Ellen Show” website says “Jason Lewis talks about his sexy role on “Brothers and Sisters” on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14. In my area, Ellen is on at 3:00 p.m. As is always said, check your local listing.

I thought the opening scene was TERRIFIC! This show would have to do something out of its character to make me say anything negative on this blog. I’m one on those Kevin and Scot(ty): ) enthusiasts. It happened to me in “For the Children” and “Date Night”. The thing is, Kevin should NEVER have taken that call in front of Scotty. I deal with that* issue on one of my own blogs, which I now have four. The thing is, as a viewer, I feel I know Kevin better than Scotty does. I know Kevin in more depth because I am privy to him in more settings than Scotty has had the advantage of witnessing. Apparently, they have never had a conversation with one another (or with themselves?) about what they want from a relationship. Okay . . . so I’m going to do this: The following is an excerpt from my most recent posting at own blog at www.tvguide.com:

“These two guys (Kevin and Scotty) just need some counseling. They are floundering and thrashing around in their own intimate relating untested successes and their magnetic pull toward each other. They’re going to go down without someone to help them up and out of their own misguided mutual search for “the one” and to make it “work” with one another. Send in the clowns or better yet, send them each an angel-rescuer to lift the fog from their hearts. And let’s get it on. They can entertain us with their silly flops of efforts within a relationship that allows for conversations deeper than date-or-casual-sex-chatter.”

If you want to read my whole post at www.tvguide.com about Valentine’s Day Massacre. . . . well, it’s really about Kevin and Scotty . . . and little about Chad. Check “Community Bloggers” and author ilovemylife. It’s titled: OH! BROTHERS & SISTERS - LET’S GET TOGETHER - BUT FIRST GET IT TOGETHER KEVIN! The address is usually too long to all show up here, but I’ll try. Here it is:
http://community.tvguide.com/thread.jspa?threadID=800008724

Also check out:
http://ilovemylifebrothersandsisters.blogspot.com/
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/sandrahammel
http://www.savedarfur.org/content
The Luke MacFarlane Fan Club:
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/lukemacfarlanefans/

By the way, I LOVE Marika Dominczyk (Tyler, Justin’s passion). She dresses the camera and the camera loves her for it. The cutest under duds in this episode. I think she is a win-win. A win for Justin and a win for this admiring viewer.

There is something for everyone in this show.

Btw #2, did you hear Barack Obama mention “gays” in his speech to run for President last Saturday? He underplayed it in the delivery, but still you got the idea.

Great job, Cliff and Pete. And I liked Holly’s hair color better. Is it just my imagination?

Btw #3: I link to THIS blog over at my tvguide blog. I return the favor sts (so to speak). : )

[Joey]

Re: Kitty/McAllister storyline, after the last episode, I think the show has become way too skewed towards the senator. I know, from reading an interview w/ Baitz, that he wants to build bridges, show our commonality, etc., but making the senator into a golden boy is going way too far overboard.

There's only so much screen time for the family. After all, the show is called "Brothers & Sisters," NOT "Brothers, Sisters, & a Senator/Presidential Hopeful."

I hope the producers don't use the senator to replace a Walker family member. Rob Lowe is way overrated as an attraction.

[brendat]

Super writing, acting - super show. I esp loved the scenes, and dynamic, with Tommy and Sarah - can totally believe Tommy as the passed-over child - I would feel betrayed. Can the interaction between Kitty and the Senator be any better - don't think so, and the writers of this show, an oasis in a desert of dreck, deserve credit. Sure the actors are top drawer, but the writers are the key, in my opinion, to the absolute wonderfullness of the only show on these days that I don't miss!