Chapter 1: Who was David Kendall and what impact did he have on Boy Meets World?
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Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy. Not quite. On Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guests, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between-songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes.
Those people are starving for banter. Listen to Humor Me with Robert Smigel and friends on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged. It's the Enhanced Games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential.
Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.
Within probably 10 days, I put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.
Listen to Superhuman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My mother-in-law spent years sabotaging our relationship until karma made her pay for it. She moved in for two weeks, lasted five days, left a mess, and then pressed her ear against their bedroom door and burst in screaming.
When kicked out to a hotel, she called her son-in-law's workplace, pretending his partner had been rushed to the hospital by ambulance. faked a medical emergency? And spoiler, that was just the beginning. To find out how it ends, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fans, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes.
Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of tauntauns and wampas on the ice planet Hoth or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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Chapter 2: What contributions did David Kendall make to television beyond Boy Meets World?
Elisa Donovan worked with David a few times, first on an episode of Clueless, and she sent in her thoughts.
So what I remember most is the first time that I met David and he directed an episode of the TV show of Clueless. And in this particular episode, it was about our senior prom. And he's the first person that really said, Like he appreciated what I was doing on a level that was like he just was so supportive of me. And he made me laugh. Like I made him laugh out loud.
And we have so much footage of that. you know, on our gag reels of that particular episode because we just were in hysterics. But then also, it was one of the only moments in the entire series for me where my character got to, like... emote. She revealed this part of herself that she was sad that she felt like an outsider.
And he was just like, he just was so supportive of me and made sure that I had everything I needed. He just took the work that we were doing and kind of as seriously as I did. And I felt like he really saw me as an artist. And I felt like, oh, God, I hope that he comes back again, you know, and that we get to work together again. And then he didn't come back to Clueless.
We only had another few episodes. But then over the years, we worked together several times in the other was he was doing Melissa and Joey and the actress that they hired did not work out. And it was like a real problem and they had to fire her. And he said, where's Elisa Donovan? Get Elisa Donovan. Can you get her over here? Can she come down here? I know she could do this.
You can give her anything. She could do it at the last minute. She does. I know that she can do it. And I was living in San Francisco and, I still am. And they called my agent and I was like, sure, I can come down. So I came into sort of the middle of this episode where they had already begun and, and I just felt so, um, appreciated that.
by him where I walked in and he just gave me this giant hug and he's like, she's here to save the day, you know? And, um, he just really championed everyone like that. Like he was so enthusiastic about the work he was doing. And I know I'm not the only person that he made feel this way, but he did make me feel really special. And those sorts of people
you just don't come across them all the time. And certainly not in, in, you know, network television in the, in the nineties and early two thousands. So, um, he just was one of the good ones, you know, and he, he, he made an imprint and when people made an imprint on him, he stuck with them. And, um, I just, he, he was one of the best and I'm,
so sorry for his his family and he's just um he's just it's too soon
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Chapter 3: How did David Kendall influence the creative process of his colleagues?
He encouraged his staff to wear ties on show night. During this past year, David and his son Jack watched hundreds of hours of classic films together. He passed on his love for the craft of filmmaking to his son. So far, Jack has only worked on films that have grossed over $100 million. Yeah. David's favorite lunch order was a turkey sandwich, no cheese and no onions.
It was the honor of my lifetime to be David's friend. I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. And now we have a message from William Rusty Russ, also known as Alan Matthews from Boy Meets World.
The main thing I remember about David Kendall was how much joy he seemed to bring. whether he was directing or he's writing a joke or just running around playing with props or talking to the grips. He was just a joy to be around and he brought it to the set. And God knows we all needed joy. We had a great time, but boy, he added to it.
Chapter 4: What personal stories do David's friends share about him?
The world will be a less joyful place because he's not in it. Peace out, David. Love on ya.
Staying in the Boy Meets World family, here is a message from our friend Matthew Lawrence.
David Kendall. I had the privilege of working alongside him on Boy Meets World and among some other projects. And he's not only an incredible, talented human being, but also kind, generous, deeply respected by everyone around him.
played a meaningful role in shaping stories that meant so much to so many of us and he will truly be missed by everyone he was genuinely one of the funny people i'll never forget the way he communicated the story and the comedy to me whenever he'd give me notes he always did it in such a way that made you feel empowered to give the best performance that you possibly could What an amazing man.
I'll never forget, even recently, about six months ago, my brothers and I were trying to write something and we just couldn't get the funny there.
And the first person we called was David. I'll miss you so much, man. Really will. And I hope you are resting in beautiful peace.
And keep in mind, David worked for decades in television. It wasn't just 90s sitcoms. He was directing as recently as 2023 on shows like Aaron and Aaron, Side Hustle and Sidney to the Max, which is where he met young actor Christian J. Simon. And here is a message he sent in.
I'm Christian J. Simon, and I had the pleasure of working with David Kendall on Sidney to the Max. What I remember most about David is his passion. He moved quickly. He knew what he wanted and he challenged you to rise to it. He really gave everything to what he did. He was a good man and it's clear how much he was loved. I feel lucky to have worked with him.
On that same show, he worked with a young Jackson Dollinger who sent in his thoughts as well.
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Chapter 5: What qualities made David Kendall a beloved figure in the industry?
And they thought, it's finally over. Days later, she called her son-in-law at work, claiming that his partner had been in some kind of freak accident and had been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. He called every hospital in the city, and his partner was making coffee the entire time. She faked a medical emergency just to test whether or not he loved her son?
Yeah, and she sat in the hospital parking lot, waiting for him to see if he would show up. When that didn't work, she walked into the son-in-law's police station and filed a kidnapping report against him. She filed a kidnapping report against him in his own police station. And spoilers, karma's going to show up in the best way possible.
So if you want to hear how this story ends, search OK Storytime on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you're listening to podcasts. That concludes our memos and letters. So the floor is now open to us.
I really, you know, I feel like I'm going to end up repeating a lot of what's already been said. But just from a personal perspective, David took me and my brother on to let us shadow him on a show that he was directing called Stuck in the Middle, which was... A very overwhelming show to direct because they had very little money and a lot of big set pieces involving stunts and special effects.
And so it was a very stressful thing to direct. And he was incredible. And all the things that people have said, just never, just undaunted and positive.
And also not only taking all the energy that it takes to direct an episode of this show, but also constantly talking to me and my brother about how he's doing it and guiding us through how he gets through his day and how he plans these scenes and just taught us, you know, how to do what he was doing. And that for me, it was so awesome because that was in my 30s.
You have memories of people from when you were a kid working with them on something like Boy Meets World, but then to see them... as an adult and, you know, just to be able to see this other side of him and to have more honest conversations about our timeline, boy meets world. And to realize that David has always been the same and has always been just a true mensch. It's just the best room.
Just, yeah. So that was getting to know him as an adult was really fulfilling and like made me feel so good about, you know, all the positive memories I already had about him. It was like, oh yeah, no, he really is just that cool of a guy.
Yeah. I remember after I got to direct those four episodes of Girl Meets World over the three seasons and then the show ended and I had decided that's it. I'm going to be a director. I want to do this. And nobody really wanted to take me seriously. They brushed off the four episodes I had directed as just being home games.
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Chapter 6: How did David Kendall's mentorship shape the careers of others?
These are your copies. You look at what I did and talk about this and, it made sure I had good relationships with the crew members and the associate directors and the camera operators and was just so generous with his time and with his energy and, and asking me questions and getting to know me now as an adult.
And, and, um, you know, it was, it was the thing that made the difference in me than having a good impression on Mark Reisman. And I ended up going on to direct many episodes of that show and David and I kept in touch and When I was up to direct my first ever pilot, David Kendall was one of the first people I called. I said, I've never even been in one of these meetings.
I don't even know what they're going to ask of me. What are they going to ask? And he once again shared with me and educated me on what I could expect and was just always such a good friend. And as we mentioned, and you guys have heard on this podcast, the amount of times we mentioned we should text Kendall, Kendall will know immediately. He he was just a wealth of information.
He had a wonderful memory. He had whip smart comedic abilities. And, you know, Will and I were able to go and see him quite a bit over this this last year and spending time with him around his table, him and Wendy. Eating food and talking and, you know, his memories of his life, his career, and his most importantly, his family. His family meant more to him than anything. He loved his job.
He loved his career. But his number one passion was his family. And getting to see him in that element was really beautiful over this last year.
Yeah, he's a special guy to me. I can count on one hand the number of people that from the time Boy ended till now, I was in touch with the whole time. And he was one of them. We called each other fake dad and fake son for 35 years. Yeah, he was very special to me.
Yeah. David, we love you. You are going to be missed. We're so thankful to all of you who listen, who have sent in such nice messages about how much you loved learning about him. He no doubt was a crowd favorite to have on the show. And we're so happy that he was able to be on as many times as he was with us. And I think David, We will always continue to say, I bet Kendall will know.
We should text Kendall. So yeah. Thank you all for joining us for this episode of Podmeets World. Executive producers, Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman. Executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo. Producer and editor, Tara Subaksh. Producer, Maddie Moore. Engineer and Boy Meets World super fan, Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon.
Follow us on Instagram at podmeetsworldshow or email us at podmeetsworldshow at gmail.com. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy? Not quite. On Humor Me with Robert Smigel and Friends, me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.
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Chapter 7: What memorable experiences did actors have while working with David Kendall?
Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast Superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year.
Within probably 10 days, I put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble stopping the muscle growth.
Listen to Superhuman on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. My mother-in-law spent years sabotaging our relationship until karma made her pay for it. She moved in for two weeks, lasted five days, left a mess, and then pressed her ear against their bedroom door and burst in screaming.
When kicked out to a hotel, she called her son-in-law's workplace, pretending his partner had been rushed to the hospital by ambulance. faked a medical emergency? And spoiler, that was just the beginning. To find out how it ends, listen to the OK Storytime podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Hey, this is Robert from the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast. Joe and I are both lifelong Star Wars fans, so we're celebrating May the 4th with a brand new week of fun, thought-provoking Star Wars-related episodes. Join us as we tackle science and culture topics from a galaxy far, far away, such as the biology of Tauntauns and Wampas on the ice planet Hoth.
or the practicality and corporate business sense of the Sith Rule of Two. Listen to Stuff to Blow Your Mind on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed human.
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