21 Comments
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Robb Curtis Brown's avatar

You must remember this, a kiss ain't just a kiss, a sigh ain't just a sigh....

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

Exactly...

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charles hoyes's avatar

Keep hittin’ LINE DRIVES BUBBA!

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Scott stewart's avatar

Fascinating insight into the process. And humorous

So when scripts are randomly assigned, does that work better than when the original person carries it through? I think I prefer the latter

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

I prefer the latter, but in my experience, these things are ultimately group efforts anyway.

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L.L. Horn's avatar

I have friends who also have separate bedrooms. It always starts with someone is snoring so the other can’t sleep……Thank you for a great morning read.

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Pam B's avatar

Yes, separate bathrooms are one of the keys to a happy marriage! Fun to see how an idea gets fleshed out into a script.

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Ilene Blaisch's avatar

Hey Steve, I went back and read this piece and can so visualize both the scene between you and Shelly and the one on the Raymond show. I can also feel the anxiety of the block to complete the episode and the feeling of being a fraud if somebody else comes up with the magic answer. Oh, the many woes of being a creative writer. That's wild that you still use the kids bathroom, and wonderful that you're still so happily married.

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Mike Royce's avatar

Skro this is a beautifully written essay and razor sharp analysis into how a sitcom gets written. That being said, I don’t like complimenting you.

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

How do you think Lew feels? It's much worse for him.

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Mike Royce's avatar

True this is actually an upside

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Mary's avatar

What an adventure! I loved this piece so much it made me laugh and congratulations you have two sinks! That's how life makes up for it when you make compromises.

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Michael Van Gelder's avatar

This is such a perfect example of how the smallest cracks, like a sigh, can reveal so much about what’s unspoken in a relationship. Loved how the real-life moment became a blueprint for story, and how that story, in turn, deepened the meaning of the moment. It’s not just great comedy writing. It’s great human writing.

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

Wow. Thank you. I really appreciate that thoughtful assessment.

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Sally Easter's avatar

Fabulous! Glad you love your new 2 sink bathroom!

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Judy Schaffert's avatar

Having grown up sharing one sink with both parents and two brothers, my ascension to having my own sink in a happily shared bathroom made me feel like a Rockefeller. But it's good to have had the first experience to truly appreciate the second.

Great story, Steve.

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Brendon Etter's avatar

Chekhov's Showerhead.... and the Purloined Plot Bridge - It was right in front of me the whole time! Wonderful work, Steve, as always.

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John Overman's avatar

Thank you so very much for sharing this. Your behind-the-scenes post adds another layer of enjoyment and appreciation. More dinner conversation for us. Truth is, I know the whisker-in-the-sink complaint all too well. And we’re almost empty nesters. Thanks again!

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Lisa Varga's avatar

Enjoyed the story. Interesting to learn about the process. Thanks for sharing your engaging writings. I hope to see more.

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Steve Skrovan's avatar

Thanks, Lisa! Trust you are well.

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Andrew Rapp's avatar

Great story Steve! It’s always the small things!

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