Dan O'Shannon (Newhart / Cheers / Modern Family)

Dan O'Shannon joined me to discuss Cleveland kids TV and his documentary; going to Cleveland State for a year; doing stand up; getting to know his character; buying a Cheers script to find a template for a spec script; Marc Sotkin reads spec, hires him on It's A Living; writes for Safe at Home; writes a freelance Charmings; getting hired with writing partner Tom Anderson on Newhart; writing a freelance Cheers on off time; coming up with the Newhart finale at same time as Bob's wife; Cheers episode "Two Girls for Every Boyd"; "Who is Cliff Clavin" and Alex Trebek's acting; Spanky MacFarlane; almost getting Bill Clinton; "Severe Crane Damage" - did not write We Will Rock You opening; Freudian slip joke; coining the phrase "Did I say that out loud"; writing the episode were Lilith divorces Frasier; "Woody Gets an Election"; Kelsey Grammar becomes Frasier; the last name Kraypence; his 1993 sitcom The Boys with Anthony Edwards replaced by Christopher Meloni; Suddenly Susan with Rodney Dangerfield; Oscar nominee for Redux Riding Hood; Maggie; Frasier episodes "Sliding Doors", "Rooms with a View"; Don Juan in Hell"; Modern Family "Fly with Me", "having to service all characters, "Undeck the Halls"; his books "What are you Laughing At" and "The Adventures of Mrs. Jesus", pilot "Furst Born"; moving to Cleveland"; long driving trips