When Barry Kemp Changed My Life: Confessions of an 11-Year-Old "Coach" Screenwriter

'90s Sitcom Coach Set to Return to NBC

In light of today's exciting news that Coach creator Barry Kemp and series star Craig T. Nelson are re-teaming on a scheduled thirteen episode continuation of their '90s hit Coach, I wanted to share a personal story of my connection to the series.

A precocious budding scribe, I taught myself how to write screenplays at the age of eleven after a teacher told me that she could see me working as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live someday.

Armed with Syd Field's Screenplay and most of the nonfiction section at the local library in my oversized Esprit bag, I rushed home from school eager to turn someday into next month.

By the time I turned twelve, I'd begun submitting scripts to my favorite television series including Seinfeld and — as a Minnesotan in particular — Coach.

Flooded with submissions, most of the shows didn't bother replying aside from a very polite "thanks but no thanks" form letter (such as in the case of Seinfeld co-producer Peter Mehlman).

But imagine my surprise when a few months after submitting a script to Coach, I received an unbelievably kind, personally written letter of encouragement from series creator Barry Kemp who took the time to tell me that he not only thought I had "a lot of potential as a writer" but also that he expected "to hear from... [me] someday."

An amazingly generous gesture — Kemp's letter helped inspire me to continue writing, which led me to receive two of three national awards in the screenwriting category before I segued into film analysis.

In a funny twist of fate, over the past few months I'd started streaming Coach again on Netflix while taking care of a relative before and after surgery.

And indeed, recalling not only subplots but actual lines that had inspired me as a young Minnesotan screenwriter, I realized once again that laughter really is the best medicine.

So with this recollection, I'm thrilled to pay tribute to Coach, say "thank you" to Barry Kemp and wish him and the cast the best on the upcoming series.

Text ©2014, Film Intuition, LLC; All Rights Reserved. http://www.filmintuition.com Unauthorized Reproduction or Publication Elsewhere is Strictly Prohibited and in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  FTC Disclosure: Per standard professional practice, I may have received a review copy of this title in order to evaluate it for my readers, which had no impact whatsoever on whether or not it received a favorable or unfavorable critique.

Music DVD Review: Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows: The Classic Performances

Now Available to Own on DVD

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Although originally he'd vowed never to invite the man he would eventually describe as a "decent and fine boy" on his popular television show-- when rival host Steve Allen beat Ed Sullivan's ratings with the debut appearance of Elvis Presley on Allen's variety series-- eventually Ed Sullivan caved.

And sure enough the paperwork was completed in the summer of 1956 as Sullivan signed Presley to the tune of fifty thousand dollars to appear for three exclusive performances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

However, tragically a horrific head-on collision found Sullivan ordered to miss five weeks of hosting duties as friends filled in guest-hosting the show while he was convalescing following the car crash. Sadly, much to his disappointment-- (and regardless of the fact that he'd be there for the subsequent two appearances)-- ultimately the host ended up making television history as one of more than 72 million viewers who tuned in when Charles Laughton introduced the the young and relatively new singer to the world.

Seeing the shy, polite Southern country boy in his record-breaking premiere on September 9, 1956 make this newly released DVD that much more compelling since it offers us a chance to look back at the icon before he went into the army and met the teenager who later became his wife, before he went Hollywood and long before the pressures of being "The King" began to affect him.

Likewise, it's a fascinating opportunity to witness the way that Elvis Presley began working on his stage persona. Since, even when delivering a hit like "Love Me" where he appears to forget the words twice and/or gets lost in the crowd we can hear him experiment with different vocal approaches including some that would become his signature and others that as a fan of the music, I had never heard before.

Additionally you must bear in mind that this was during the controversial era of religious outcry over Elvis and the music he sang. For on the DVD, it's quickly visible that every so often he becomes overwhelmed by the magnitude of the experience given what sounds like a few slurred words, melodic mix-ups (wherein he puts a finger to his ear to adjust his tone) and a strange stab at a humorous ironic lead in to "Hound Dog" as a sad song that baffles even his band.

However, the little quirks make him that much more endearing as viewers simply couldn't care less. Moreover, even now in 2009, it's easy to be utterly drawn in by what is arguably the greatest entertainer of all time performing for millions in his prime. Beautiful, nervous, and consciously provocative with the abundance of hip gyrations-- even though Sullivan's studio gave him a dull music note background, your eyes only focus directly on the man himself.

And fortunately, Presley's confidence in front of a live television audience would increase with not just their ecstatic screams but each successive appearance-- whether he was actively helping to support the Hungarian relief effort for which he performs a moving rendition of "Peace in the Valley" or celebrating his [then] biggest record with rocking performance of "Don't Be Cruel."

Indeed, by the time the third appearance of Presley's occurred, he was so relaxed that the hip thrusts had gotten him in trouble to the point wherein the undeniably soulful, sexy singer was filmed from the waist up to avoid public outcry.

While a majority of entertainers today would've taken that as their cue to try and shock even more as the mainstream media seems to prefer behavior that can be considered salacious over actual substance, Presley was unflappable under what must have been the most appalling scrutiny and judgment. Instead, filled with kindness-- after of course, letting it rip in his usual level of rock 'n roll-- when Presley took Sullivan's stage during the holiday season, he addressed his viewers as "friends," politely thanking them in a way that seemed both genuine and truly humble.

Given the age of the footage, it's not the cleanest presentation imaginable with visible dirt and grain but it's a true find to see the Sullivan appearances back to back to back. And while on paper in the press release or on the back of the box, the bonus features seem as though they're going to offer some truly mind-blowing footage for devotees of the King to accompany the forty-seven minute disc, unfortunately the promos for the appearances are extremely dull, the remembrance interview footage is dated and the special moments and home movies feel very familiar.

However, the one very brief treasure included on the disc is the very first recorded video footage of Presley. Captured near Houston, Texas by a young couple testing out their brand new 8mm video camera-- the historical artifact presents us with the man before he'd been discovered let alone signed by Colonel Tom Parker. Featuring an upbeat and impossibly young, casual looking Elvis Presley performing at a local, disorganized outdoor gig-- it's the one extra that you should jump to before the rest in this slight yet otherwise fan-friendly DVD.

Text ©2009, Film Intuition, LLC; All Rights Reserved. http://www.filmintuition.com
Unauthorized Reproduction or Publication Elsewhere is Strictly Prohibited.

Music from UK's "Life On Mars"-- BBC's Official Playlist for the Songs Used in the Series

Now Available From Acorn DVD
[Jen's Pick of the Week]

Read the Review of Series 1

Read the Review of Series 2

Music from UK's

Life On Mars:

BBC's Official Playlist for the
Songs Used in the Series
(Seasons 1 & 2)

• Life On Mars by David Bowie


• Stairway To The Stars by Blue Oyster Cult


• I'm So Free by Lou Reed


• Baba O'Riley by The Who


• Rat Rat Blue by Deep Purple


• Fireball by Deep Purple


• White Room by Cream


• Changes by David Bowie


• Live And Let Die by Wings


• No One Came by Deep Purple


• Drum Song by Willie Lindo & The Charmers Band

• Saga Of The Aging Orphan by Thin Lizzy

• Lazy by Deep Purple




• One Of These Days by Pink Floyd


• Dream Land by The Upsetters

• Ballroom Blitz by The Sweet


• Gypsy by Uriah Heep


• Wishing Well by Free




• Head In The Sky by Atomic Rooster


• Brainstorm by Hawkwind


• The Jean Genie by David Bowie


• Cross Eyed Mary by Jethro Tull


• Silver Machine by Hawkwind


• Gudbuy T'Jane by Slade




• Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones


• Call The Police by Thin Lizzy


• Good Thinking by Status Quo


• The Rocker by Thin Lizzy


• Jeepster by T. Rex


• Would You Believe by Roxy Music


• Urban Guerilla by Hawkwind




• Ejection by Hawkwind




• I Can't Live Without You by Colosseum


• Mother Of Pearl by Roxy Music




• I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free by Nina Simone


• Blockbuster by The Sweet


• What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong


• I Can't Tell The Bottom From The Top by The Hollies




• Toxic by Britney Spears


• Welcome Home by Peters and Lee


• Disco 2000 by Pulp


• Sinnerman by Nina Simone


• Friday 13th by Atomic Rooster


• The Rock by Atomic Rooster


• Tokolshe Man by John Kongos




• In The Snow by Atomic Rooster

• Devil's Answer by Atomic Rooster


• See My Baby Jive by Wizzard


• Meet Me On The Corner by Lindisfarne


• Little Bit Of Love by Free


• Head In The Sky by Atomic Rooster


• Street Life by Roxy Music


• Breakthrough by Atomic Rooster


• Son Of My Father by Chicory Tip


• Everybody Gets to Go to the Moon by The Three Degrees


• Spooky by Dusty Springfield


• Year of Decision by The Three Degrees


• Starman by David Bowie


• Sweet Jane by Mott the Hoople




• In The Summertime by Mungo Jerry


• Ain't Got No performed by Derek Wadsworth from Hair


• Love Machine by Uriah Heep


• Bird Of Prey by Uriah Heep


• Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress) by The Hollies


• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John


• Lay Down by The Strawbs


• I’m Ready by Frankie Miller


• Court In The Act by Lindisfarne


• Samba Pa Ti by Santana


• Coz I Luv You by Slade




• A-Lad-In-Sane by David Bowie


• Rock On by T. Rex


• When The City Sleeps by Barclay James Harvest


• Alone Again Naturally by Gilbert O’Sullivan


• You Shouldn't Do That by Hawkwind


• Just Like You by Roxy Music



• 10538 Overture by ELO


• Dance With The Devil by Cozy Powell


• Breathless by Atomic Rooster


• Snow Flower by Ananda Shankar


• Rocket Man by Elton John


• I Had A Dream by The Audience

• Hot Sand by Shocking Blue


• Traveller In Time by Uriah Heep


• Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzy


• Many A Mile To Freedom by Traffic


• Evening Blue by Traffic


• Virginia Plain by Roxy Music




• Cindy Incidentally by The Faces


• Done Me Wrong All Right by The Sweet


• Crossroads by Cream


• Rock ‘n’ Roll Disgrace by The Sweet


• One Of The Boys by Mott The Hoople


• My Coo Ca Choo by Alvin Stardust


• Funeral For A Friend by Elton John


• Decision-Indecision by Atomic Rooster


• I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You by Tom Waits


• Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole


• Changes by David Bowie

The Music of Mars

View Footage from the BBC Series

Series Trailer: My Name is Sam Tyler...

Video: Sam's Search for Answers

Video: "Is There Life on Mars?" Where Am I?

Text ©2009, Film Intuition, LLC; All Rights Reserved. http://www.filmintuition.com
Unauthorized Reproduction or Publication Elsewhere is Strictly Prohibited.