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'''Likely Stories''' is a series of ] ] specials broadcast in the early 1980s. There were four volumes, with each one consisting of short films by different directors. The first volume was broadcast on the subscription service ] in 1981, and volumes 2-4 were broadcast on ] in 1983. '''Likely Stories''' is a series of ] ] specials broadcast in the early 1980s. There were four volumes, with each one consisting of short films by different directors. The first volume was broadcast on the subscription service ] in 1981, and volumes 2-4 were broadcast on ] in 1983.

== Description == == Description ==
The series was known for giving full creative freedom to its filmmakers and was notable for featuring the directorial debuts of ], ], ], ], and ]. <ref>https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/examining-the-cable-collaborations-of-jablin-mulholland-and-barrie.html</ref> The short films starred various notable actors, including DeVito, Crystal, Shearer, Guest, Reiner, ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. David Jablin independently financed and produced the first volume in 1981, alongside fellow producer Christopher Guest.<ref>https://medium.com/@djablin/interview-with-david-jablin-editor-publisher-of-imagination-fanzine-circa-1971-3a0cdb0cb918</ref> ] ordered three more volumes, which were produced by Jablin.<ref>https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/examining-the-cable-collaborations-of-jablin-mulholland-and-barrie.html</ref> DeVito's short film, "The Selling of Vince D'Angelo," led to him making his first feature film '']''.<ref>https://www.vulture.com/2016/07/rediscovering-danny-devitos-long-lost-directorial-debut.html</ref> The series was known for giving full creative freedom to its filmmakers and was notable for featuring the directorial debuts of ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/examining-the-cable-collaborations-of-jablin-mulholland-and-barrie.html|title=Examining the Cable Collaborations of Jablin, Mulholland, and Barrie|first=Ramsey|last=Ess|date=June 19, 2015|website=Vulture}}</ref> The short films starred various notable actors, including DeVito, Crystal, Shearer, Guest, Reiner, ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. David Jablin independently financed and produced the first volume in 1981, alongside fellow producer Christopher Guest.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@djablin/interview-with-david-jablin-editor-publisher-of-imagination-fanzine-circa-1971-3a0cdb0cb918|title=Interview with David Jablin, Editor & Publisher of Imagination Fanzine circa 1971|first=David|last=Jablin|date=August 28, 2019}}</ref> One installment features Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer's first ] together, with Guest playing a precursor to his '']'' character corky St. Clair. Another short film, in which Guest and McKean played their ] characters Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins playing guitar and chatting in their hotel room, was made for this series but never aired.<ref>https://djablin.medium.com/interview-with-david-jablin-editor-publisher-of-imagination-fanzine-circa-1971-3a0cdb0cb918</ref> ] ordered three more volumes, which were produced by Jablin.<ref name="auto"/> DeVito's short film, "The Selling of Vince D'Angelo," led to him making his first feature film '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/07/rediscovering-danny-devitos-long-lost-directorial-debut.html|title=Rediscovering Danny DeVito’s Long-Lost Directorial Debut|first=Ramsey|last=Ess|date=July 22, 2016|website=Vulture}}</ref>


== Episodes == == Episodes ==
Line 24: Line 24:
|Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 1 |Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 1
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1981|9|11}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1981|9|11}}
|ShortSummary='''Short films:''' |ShortSummary=Short films:<br>
*'''Tommy Rispoli: A Man and His Music''': A documentary on ] fan and limo driver Tommy Rispoli. This short eventually evolved into Kirby's limo driver character Tommy Pischedda in '']''. <ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjJ3AIT130M&t=2s</ref> '''Tommy Rispoli: A Man and His Music''': A documentary on ] fan and limo driver Tommy Rispoli. This short eventually evolved into Kirby's limo driver character Tommy Pischedda in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjJ3AIT130M&t=2s|title=Rob Reiner Interview Part 6 of 8 - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG|date=September 30, 2009|via=YouTube}}</ref>
-Starring: ] and ]<br> *Starring: ] and ]
-Written by: Bruno Kirby and Rob Reiner<br> *Written by: Rob Reiner & Bruno Kirby
-Directed by: Rob Reiner *Directed by: Rob Reiner
*'''Dead Ringer''': A satire of film noir movies with Christopher Guest starring in every role.<br> '''Dead Ringer''': A satire of film noir movies with Christopher Guest starring in every role.
-Written by: Christopher Guest and Matt Neuman<br> *Written by: Christopher Guest and Matt Neuman
-Starring: Christopher Guest<br> *Starring: Christopher Guest
-Directed by: Christopher Guest *Directed by: Christopher Guest
*'''The Making Of You Wouldn't Believe Our World''': A making of documentary for an industrial video for an evil conglomerate. This is Shearer, Guest, and McKean's first ] together, and Guest plays a choreographer very similar to his '']'' character Corky St. Clair.<ref>https://www.vulture.com/article/funny-videos-december-2023.html</ref> <br> '''The Making Of You Wouldn't Believe Our World''': A making of documentary for an industrial video for an evil conglomerate. This is Shearer, Guest, and McKean's first ] together, and Guest plays a choreographer very similar to his '']'' character Corky St. Clair.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/funny-videos-december-2023.html|title=The Best Comedy Shorts of December 2023|first=Luke Kelly-Clyne, Graham|last=Techler|date=December 31, 2023|website=Vulture}}</ref>
-Starring: ], ], ], and Christopher Guest<br> *Starring: ], ], ], and Christopher Guest
-Written/Directed by: Harry Shearer *Original Music by: ] & Harry Shearer
⚫ *Written/Directed by: Harry Shearer
*'''Who's On First?''': A ]-inspired sketch about a music promoter trying to tell an advertising exec about new rock bands. Earlier versions of this sketch was previously performed on a ] album and in the sketch comedy film '']''.<br> '''Who's On First?''': A ]-inspired sketch about a music promoter trying to tell an advertising exec about new rock bands. Earlier versions of this sketch was previously performed on a ] album and in the sketch comedy film '']''.
*Starring: ] and Harry Shearer<br>
-Written/Directed by: Harry Shearer *Starring: ] and Harry Shearer
⚫ *Written/Directed by: Harry Shearer
*'''In Someone's Sneakers''': Another adaptation of a Credibility Gap sketch, this one is about a man writing a pretentious poem.<br> '''In Someone's Sneakers''': Another adaptation of a Credibility Gap sketch, this one is a parody of ]'s poetry.
-Starring: ] and Amy Stryker<br>
-Written by: Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, David L. Lander, and ] *Starring: ] and Amy Stryker
*Written by: Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, David L. Lander, and ]
-Directed by: Christopher Guest *Directed by: Christopher Guest
*'''Reagan Rap''': A ] music video of ] rapping.<br> '''Reagan Rap''': A ] music video of ] rapping.
-Starring: Harry Shearer (voice only)<br> *Starring: Harry Shearer (voice only)
-Written by: Harry Shearer *Written by: Harry Shearer
|LineColor=6cbbf3 |LineColor=6cbbf3
}} }}
Line 52: Line 53:
|Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 2 |Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 2
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|5|27}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|5|27}}
|ShortSummary='''Short films:''' |ShortSummary=Short films:<br>
*'''The Selling of Vince D'Angelo''': A comedy about a corrupt New Jersey Congressman running for Senator. This short received critical acclaim years later for being prescient about ]'s presidency.<ref>https://www.avclub.com/danny-devito-was-the-donald-trump-of-1982-in-this-forgo-1798251201</ref><br> '''The Selling of Vince D'Angelo''': A comedy about a corrupt New Jersey Congressman running for Senator. This short received critical acclaim years later for being prescient about ]'s presidency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/danny-devito-was-the-donald-trump-of-1982-in-this-forgo-1798251201|title=Danny DeVito was the Donald Trump of 1982 in this forgotten HBO short|website=AV Club}}</ref>
-Starring: ], ], and ]<br> *Starring: ], ], and ]
-Written by: ] & ]<br> *Written by: ] & ]
-Directed by: Danny DeVito *Directed by: Danny DeVito
*'''School, Girls & You!'''<br> '''School, Girls & You!'''<br>
-Starring: ]<br> *Starring: ]
-Written/Directed by: David Wechter *Written/Directed by: David Wechter
*'''Elephant Man Musical'''<br> '''Elephant Man Musical'''
-Written/Directed by: ] *Written/Directed by: ]
*'''Barry in Concert'''<br> '''Please Stand By'''
⚫ *Written by: Charles Reskin, ], and Lee Biondi
⚫ -Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel
⚫ *Directed by: David Jablin
*'''Please Stand By'''<br>
⚫ -Written by: Charles Reskin, ], and Lee Biondi<br>
⚫ -Directed by: David Jablin
|LineColor=6cbbf3 |LineColor=6cbbf3
}} }}
Line 73: Line 72:
|Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 3 |Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 3
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|7|1}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|7|1}}
|ShortSummary='''Short films:''' |ShortSummary=Short films:<br>
*'''Split Decision'''<br> '''Heartbreaker'''
*Original Song by: Bruce Kimmel
⚫ -Starring: ] and Christopher Guest<br>
⚫ *Directed by: David Jablin
⚫ -Written by: Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest<br>
'''Split Decision'''
⚫ -Directed by: Billy Crystal
⚫ *Starring: ] and Christopher Guest
⚫ *'''Our Hollywood Vacation'''<br>
⚫ *Written by: Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest
⚫ -Starring: ]<br>
⚫ *Directed by: Billy Crystal
-Written by: Lee Biondi<br>
⚫ '''Our Hollywood Vacation'''
-Directed by: Richard Goldstone
⚫ *Starring: ]
*'''Reagan's Nightmare'''<br>
-Written by: David Jablin and Lee Biondi<br> *Written by: Lee Biondi
-Directed by: ] *Directed by: Richard Goldstone
*'''Trip to Tomorrow'''<br> '''Reagan's Nightmare'''
-Written/Directed by: David Wechter *Written by: David Jablin and Lee Biondi
⚫ *Directed by: Peter Wallach
'''Barry in Concert'''
*Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel
'''Trip to Tomorrow'''
*Written/Directed by: David Wechter
|LineColor=6cbbf3 |LineColor=6cbbf3
}} }}
Line 93: Line 97:
|Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 4 |Title=Likely Stories, Vol. 4
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|8|5}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|8|5}}
|ShortSummary=Short films: |ShortSummary=Short films:<br>
*'''A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening'''<br> '''A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening'''
*Starring: ], ], ], Charlie Stavola, ], ], ], Vincent Schiavelli
⚫ -Written/Directed by: Danny DeVito
*Written/Directed by: Danny DeVito
*'''Focus on Fishko'''<br> '''Focus on Fishko'''
-Starring: ]<br> *Starring: ]
-Written by: Jim Mulholland & Michael Barrie<br> *Written by: Jim Mulholland & Michael Barrie
⚫ -Directed by: ]
*Directed by: ]
|LineColor=6cbbf3 |LineColor=6cbbf3
}} }}

Latest revision as of 13:31, 2 January 2025

1981 American TV series or program
Likely Stories
GenreComedy anthology series
StarringVarious
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
ProducersDavid Jablin
Christopher Guest (Vol. 1)
Production companyVarious
Original release
NetworkOn TV (Vol. 1)
Cinemax (Vols. 2-4)
ReleaseSeptember 11, 1981 (1981-09-11) –
August 5, 1983 (1983-08-05)

Likely Stories is a series of anthology comedy specials broadcast in the early 1980s. There were four volumes, with each one consisting of short films by different directors. The first volume was broadcast on the subscription service On TV in 1981, and volumes 2-4 were broadcast on Cinemax in 1983.

Description

The series was known for giving full creative freedom to its filmmakers and was notable for featuring the directorial debuts of Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Danny DeVito, Billy Crystal, and Harry Shearer. The short films starred various notable actors, including DeVito, Crystal, Shearer, Guest, Reiner, Paul Reubens, Rhea Perlman, Tony Danza, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Michael McKean, and Bruno Kirby. David Jablin independently financed and produced the first volume in 1981, alongside fellow producer Christopher Guest. One installment features Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer's first mockumentary together, with Guest playing a precursor to his Waiting for Guffman character corky St. Clair. Another short film, in which Guest and McKean played their Spinal Tap characters Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins playing guitar and chatting in their hotel room, was made for this series but never aired. Cinemax ordered three more volumes, which were produced by Jablin. DeVito's short film, "The Selling of Vince D'Angelo," led to him making his first feature film The Ratings Game.

Episodes

No.TitleOriginal release date
1"Likely Stories, Vol. 1"September 11, 1981 (1981-09-11)

Short films:
Tommy Rispoli: A Man and His Music: A documentary on Frank Sinatra fan and limo driver Tommy Rispoli. This short eventually evolved into Kirby's limo driver character Tommy Pischedda in This Is Spinal Tap.

Dead Ringer: A satire of film noir movies with Christopher Guest starring in every role.

  • Written by: Christopher Guest and Matt Neuman
  • Starring: Christopher Guest
  • Directed by: Christopher Guest

The Making Of You Wouldn't Believe Our World: A making of documentary for an industrial video for an evil conglomerate. This is Shearer, Guest, and McKean's first mockumentary together, and Guest plays a choreographer very similar to his Waiting for Guffman character Corky St. Clair.

Who's On First?: A Who's on First-inspired sketch about a music promoter trying to tell an advertising exec about new rock bands. Earlier versions of this sketch was previously performed on a Credibility Gap album and in the sketch comedy film Cracking Up.

  • Starring: David L. Lander and Harry Shearer
  • Written/Directed by: Harry Shearer

In Someone's Sneakers: Another adaptation of a Credibility Gap sketch, this one is a parody of Rod McKuen's poetry.

  • Starring: Stephen Collins and Amy Stryker
  • Written by: Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, David L. Lander, and Richard Beebe
  • Directed by: Christopher Guest

Reagan Rap: A Claymation music video of Ronald Reagan rapping.

  • Starring: Harry Shearer (voice only)
  • Written by: Harry Shearer
2"Likely Stories, Vol. 2"May 27, 1983 (1983-05-27)

Short films:
The Selling of Vince D'Angelo: A comedy about a corrupt New Jersey Congressman running for Senator. This short received critical acclaim years later for being prescient about Donald Trump's presidency.

School, Girls & You!

Elephant Man Musical

Please Stand By

  • Written by: Charles Reskin, David Jablin, and Lee Biondi
  • Directed by: David Jablin
3"Likely Stories, Vol. 3"July 1, 1983 (1983-07-01)

Short films:
Heartbreaker

  • Original Song by: Bruce Kimmel
  • Directed by: David Jablin

Split Decision

  • Starring: Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest
  • Written by: Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest
  • Directed by: Billy Crystal

Our Hollywood Vacation

  • Starring: Richard Belzer
  • Written by: Lee Biondi
  • Directed by: Richard Goldstone

Reagan's Nightmare

  • Written by: David Jablin and Lee Biondi
  • Directed by: Peter Wallach

Barry in Concert

  • Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel

Trip to Tomorrow

  • Written/Directed by: David Wechter
4"Likely Stories, Vol. 4"August 5, 1985 (1985-08-05)

Short films:
A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening

Focus on Fishko

References

  1. ^ Ess, Ramsey (June 19, 2015). "Examining the Cable Collaborations of Jablin, Mulholland, and Barrie". Vulture.
  2. Jablin, David (August 28, 2019). "Interview with David Jablin, Editor & Publisher of Imagination Fanzine circa 1971".
  3. https://djablin.medium.com/interview-with-david-jablin-editor-publisher-of-imagination-fanzine-circa-1971-3a0cdb0cb918
  4. Ess, Ramsey (July 22, 2016). "Rediscovering Danny DeVito's Long-Lost Directorial Debut". Vulture.
  5. "Rob Reiner Interview Part 6 of 8 - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG". September 30, 2009 – via YouTube.
  6. Techler, Luke Kelly-Clyne, Graham (December 31, 2023). "The Best Comedy Shorts of December 2023". Vulture.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Danny DeVito was the Donald Trump of 1982 in this forgotten HBO short". AV Club.


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