[Writer Blog] Stephen Cannell – A Tribute
On Friday, October 1st, the entertainment industry discovered the loss of television producer, writer and creator, Stephen Cannell. I mourn the loss of another of my professional heroes. Mr. Cannell, 69, died of complications from Melanoma. This is the second person from the Entertainment Industry that meant something to me to die from this form of cancer. It sucks.
Stephen Cannell had a huge impact on my life, especially as a writer. He was one of the first writers/creators I wanted to “be when I grew up”. He helped form the kind of writer I wanted to be , created television I loved to watch and characters I wanted to create. Mr. Cannell created one of my all time favorite – and longest running (except for Leonard McCoy) fan girl crushes – characters, H.M. “Howlin’ Mad” Murdock. Though much of what I loved of the character came from Dwight Schultz’ portrayal, the character design and casting came from Cannell himself. To this day, I aspire to write a character with that kind of staying power.
I wrote fan fiction based on his early 80s television. THE A-TEAM and RIPTIDE come to mind first – but THE A-TEAM first and foremost. I remember having a “date” with my family every Tuesday night to watch THE A-TEAM , especially with my dad. Even now I have friends in my life that I met when I first entered the “online” world back in the mid-1990s. We bonded over A-TEAM fandom. We wrote fan fiction together, anxiously awaited The A-TEAM movie (that took 20 years to make), and we all grew as people together but would’ve never known each other if not for a Cannell Production.
Though we will never have the trademark paper ripping from a typewriter moment again, Stephen Cannell will live on this and future generations of writers. I learned a lot from him even though I only met him briefly at a book signing several years ago. Some of the lessons I’ve learned:
• Don’t let anything stand in your way – Stephen Cannell was dyslexic and yet an incredibly successful and prolific writer.
• The Good Guys can win. Stephen Cannell has had some of the most glowing things said about him by former and current professionals. He was married to the same woman for decades (in HOLLYWOOD), and raised a successful family. He was a Good Guy who won.
There are more lessons, but those are the biggest. I still want to be like him when I grow up. He did it all – books, movies, television. He did it well, with dignity, and with humor. There’s a serious void in the industry that will be very hard to fill.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Cannell’s family and friends who are grieving. Their loss is much greater, but still felt throughout the globe. And though it is a small comfort, we share in their grief. He touched more lives than anyone can ever know – both fan and professional alike. Good night, Mr. Cannell. I will try to persevere as you did. I endeavor to write to your standards. You have inspired me. Now I need some of your focus and dedication. FADE TO BLACK. THE END.