Bucks County Resident Steven Kunes Writes His Own Second Act

NEWTOWN, PA — In the whimsical world of show business, the spotlight doesn't always fade — it sometimes just takes a detour. For Bucks County native and former Neshaminy High School grad Steven Kunes, a seasoned writer with four decades of comedic genius under his belt, the journey has taken an unexpected turn toward the digital stage. At the age of 68, he's found a vibrant second act, not on the traditional networks he once knew but on the thriving platform of Amazon Prime.

Kunes, a name synonymous with top sitcoms, got his start at the young age of 26 when the legendary Norman Lear took him under his wing. His illustrious career includes writing credits for a.k.a. Pablo, Kate & Allie, Love Boat, Cheers, and contributing his wit to Johnny Carson's iconic monologues on The Tonight Show. Notably, Kunes has also left his indelible mark on Hollywood, having provided rewrites for acclaimed films such as Rain Man, Legally Blonde, Catch Me If You Can, and The Theory of Everything.

But Kunes isn't merely resting on his laurels. In his current act, he's the creative force behind Over My Dead Body, a groundbreaking talk show parody streaming on Amazon Prime. In this unconventional and captivating show, Kunes and his team travel the world to cemeteries of famous departed personalities, plugging a microphone and speaker into their headstones, and interviewing them for their take on current events.

The series has featured "guests" like Robert Kardashian, Nostradamus, Mae West, Steve Jobs, Richard Nixon, Phyllis Diller, Mark Twain, Julia Child, Tupac Shakur, Howard Cosell, and Walter Cronkite, blending history with humor in an unprecedented way. Amazon has even labeled the series as both educational and comedic.

Reflecting on his journey, Kunes shares, "I spent 40 years crafting laughter for audiences, writing scripts that echoed through living rooms across the nation. But as life would have it, my second act became an exploration into the uncharted territories of comedic creativity."

His story resonates with the spirit of reinvention and adaptability. In a landscape that constantly evolves, Kunes found himself drawn to the limitless possibilities offered by the digital realm. "It's a new era, and Amazon Prime opened up a whole new avenue for storytelling. With 29 million regular viewers, our audience is diverse, and the narratives can be more daring and authentic," he remarks.

For Kunes, Over My Dead Body represents more than just a show; it's a testament to the boundless nature of humor and storytelling. "We go beyond the traditional boundaries of talk shows. We transcend life and death to bring forth laughter and insight from the departed. It's a wild, hilarious journey, and I'm thrilled to be at the helm."

In addition to his series, Kunes has been writing the opening monologue for the Oscars since 2022 and has been tapped again for the upcoming telecast on March 2, 2025. Kunes embraces the essence of his second act -- an era where age is just a number, and creativity knows no bounds. "I've had my time in the traditional limelight, and now, with each streaming episode and interview from the afterlife, I'm carving out a new legacy. Death is hardly mentioned at all, and that's the beauty of it. It's about the stories, the characters, and the timeless art of making people laugh."

Steven Kunes, who moved back to Newtown in 2017, continues to orchestrate laughter in this second act, proving that in the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment, there's always room for a new, exciting chapter.