David Lloyd died last week. Who, you say? Well, it's not a name you might know, but, to any writer, he was one of the most prolific TV scribes ever. You have heard his words on "Frasier," "Cheers," "Lou Grant," and, most importantly, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." That's where he got his start and did his finest work.
One episode at MTM ranks perhaps as one of the greatest sitcom scripts of all time. I think even TV Guide dubbed it so. "Chuckles Bites the Dust." The funeral of a clown. David Lloyd wrote it. He's gone, but we have it forever. Here's the final act of the episode. Maybe the best constructed sitcom scene ever. Fellow blogger and comedy writer Ken Levine wrote in his forum that he actually got to be in the studio audience the night this was filmed. This final scene was shot twice. Mary's performance was letter perfect both times. Sheer brilliance.
Dinner last night: Reuben sandwich at Cafe 50s diner.
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