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{{Infobox television {{Infobox television
| genre = ] ] | genre = ] ]
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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 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> ] 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> 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> ] 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 ==
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|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1981|9|11}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1981|9|11}}
|ShortSummary='''Short films:''' |ShortSummary='''Short films:'''
*'''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> *'''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 ]<br>
-Written by: Bruno Kirby and Rob Reiner<br> -Written by: Bruno Kirby and Rob Reiner<br>
-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<br>
-Starring: Christopher Guest<br> -Starring: Christopher Guest<br>
-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>{{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> <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<br>
-Written/Directed 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> *Starring: ] and Harry Shearer
-Written/Directed by: 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 about a man writing a pretentious poem.
-Starring: ] and Amy Stryker<br> -Starring: ] and Amy Stryker<br>
-Written by: Harry Shearer, Michael McKean, David L. Lander, and ] -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)<br>
-Written by: Harry Shearer -Written by: Harry Shearer
Line 53: Line 53:
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|5|27}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|5|27}}
|ShortSummary='''Short films:''' |ShortSummary='''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 ]'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><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 ]<br>
-Written by: ] & ]<br> -Written by: ] & ]<br>
-Directed by: Danny DeVito -Directed by: Danny DeVito
*'''School, Girls & You!'''<br> *'''School, Girls & You!'''
-Starring: ]<br> -Starring: ]<br>
-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> *'''Barry in Concert'''
-Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel -Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel
*'''Please Stand By'''<br> *'''Please Stand By'''
-Written by: Charles Reskin, ], and Lee Biondi<br> -Written by: Charles Reskin, ], and Lee Biondi<br>
-Directed by: David Jablin -Directed by: David Jablin
Line 74: Line 74:
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|7|1}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1983|7|1}}
|ShortSummary='''Short films:''' |ShortSummary='''Short films:'''
*'''Split Decision'''<br> *'''Split Decision'''
-Starring: ] and Christopher Guest<br> -Starring: ] and Christopher Guest<br>
-Written by: Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest<br> -Written by: Billy Crystal and Christopher Guest<br>
-Directed by: Billy Crystal -Directed by: Billy Crystal
*'''Our Hollywood Vacation'''<br> *'''Our Hollywood Vacation'''
-Starring: ]<br> -Starring: ]<br>
-Written by: Lee Biondi<br> -Written by: Lee Biondi<br>
-Directed by: Richard Goldstone -Directed by: Richard Goldstone
*'''Reagan's Nightmare'''<br> *'''Reagan's Nightmare'''
-Written by: David Jablin and Lee Biondi<br> -Written by: David Jablin and Lee Biondi<br>
-Directed by: ] -Directed by: ]
*'''Trip to Tomorrow'''<br> *'''Trip to Tomorrow'''
-Written/Directed by: David Wechter -Written/Directed by: David Wechter
|LineColor=6cbbf3 |LineColor=6cbbf3
Line 94: Line 94:
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|8|5}} |OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1985|8|5}}
|ShortSummary=Short films: |ShortSummary=Short films:
*'''A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening'''<br> *'''A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening'''
-Written/Directed by: Danny DeVito -Written/Directed by: Danny DeVito
*'''Focus on Fishko'''<br> *'''Focus on Fishko'''
-Starring: ]<br> -Starring: ]<br>
-Written by: Jim Mulholland & Michael Barrie<br> -Written by: Jim Mulholland & Michael Barrie<br>

Revision as of 06:30, 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, Michael McKean, Bruno Kirby, David L. Lander, Richard Belzer, and Howard Hesseman. David Jablin independently financed and produced the first volume in 1981, alongside fellow producer Christopher Guest. 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.

-Starring: Bruno Kirby and Rob Reiner
-Written by: Bruno Kirby and Rob Reiner
-Directed by: Rob Reiner

  • 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.

-Starring: Michael McKean, Marcia Strassman, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest
-Written/Directed by: Harry Shearer

  • 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 about a man writing a pretentious poem.

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

-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.

-Starring: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, and Vincent Schiavelli
-Written by: Jim Mulholland & Michael Barrie
-Directed by: Danny DeVito

  • School, Girls & You!

-Starring: Paul Reubens
-Written/Directed by: David Wechter

  • Elephant Man Musical

-Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel

  • Barry in Concert

-Written/Directed by: Bruce Kimmel

  • 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:

  • 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

  • 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

-Written/Directed by: Danny DeVito

  • Focus on Fishko

-Starring: Howard Hesseman
-Written by: Jim Mulholland & Michael Barrie
-Directed by: Peter Bonerz

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. Ess, Ramsey (July 22, 2016). "Rediscovering Danny DeVito's Long-Lost Directorial Debut". Vulture.
  4. "Rob Reiner Interview Part 6 of 8 - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG". September 30, 2009 – via YouTube.
  5. 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)
  6. "Danny DeVito was the Donald Trump of 1982 in this forgotten HBO short". AV Club.


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