TV Writer Podcast - Video

005 – Emmy Winning Comedy Writer Rob Kutner (VIDEO)

He’s won 5 Prime Time Emmys, a Grammy, a Peabody, and a Television Critics’ Association Award, and was even named a “SuperJew” by Time Out New York. No, he doesn’t have superpowers, but that hasn’t stopped comedy writer Rob Kutner from writing over 1000 episodes of great comedy shows The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Dennis Miller Live.

Oh, and did we mention that he’s a best-selling author too? His recent satirical end-of-times bestseller Apocalypse How: Turn the End Times into the Best of Times! is one of the top 100 parodies at Amazon.com.

You’ll love hearing how he got his comedy start as the only Jewish kid in a Christian kindergarten class… How studies at Princeton led to him being deported from Uzbekistan… How Dennis Miller gave him his first break… and all his tips for getting in to comedy writing.

Rob recommends several books in the podcast — you can find them all, including his book “Apocalypse How,” on Amazon.

Rob also takes the time to answer many fan questions that came in over Twitter… You can follow him at @ApocalypseHow.

Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.

Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.

First published October 7, 2010.

004 – Eureka’s Jaime Paglia & Neil Grayston (VIDEO)

In the final part of our series on the crossover between SyFy’s hit shows Warehouse 13 and Eureka, this week Gray talks to the co-creator and showrunner of Eureka, Jaime Paglia, and the actor who made the crossover, Neil Grayston.

You’ll love hearing about how Jaime Paglia and Andrew Cosby came up with the idea for this sci fi comedy hybrid, set in a fictional small town with a Northern Exposure feel. Jaime explains exactly what has made this show a hit for SyFy, bringing millions of new viewers to the network who might not ordinarily watch sci fi. He also talks about how he and Jack Kenny came up with the idea for the crossover episode, and how a chance plane ride with Stan Lee resulted in a cameo on the show!

Then we have the privilege of hearing from actor Neil Grayston, who plays Douglas Fargo on Eureka. He shares about his process when he gets a script, how his character has changed over Eureka‘s four seasons, and what it was like to shoot the crossover episodes. Plus, he tells some funny anecdotes about Terminator and Star Warsthrowbacks, and working with his BFF Allison Scagliotti.

Gray also tells about some cool resources, including the new TV Writer Twitter Database, and an upcoming interview with Chuck co-creator Chris Fedak on his other podcast, at chuckpodcast.com.

Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.

Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.comor on Gray’s YouTube channel.

003 – Warehouse 13 Writer Ian Stokes (VIDEO)

Continuing our series on the crossover between SyFy’s hit shows Warehouse 13 and Eureka, this week Gray talks to the writer of the crossover episode on the Warehouse 13 side, Ian Stokes.

So far we’ve heard from two showrunners… this time, we have the privilege to hear a very fresh breaking in story, as Ian has very recently made the jump from assistant to full staff writer.

You’re sure to love Ian’s story, how he went from being a P.A. for Robert Zemeckis to being a staff writer on SyFy’s #1 show, in only four years!

He also shares some interesting perspectives about working in development at SyFy Network before getting the job on Warehouse 13, and also some valuable and practical tips to writers trying to break in to television writing.

Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.

Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.comor on Gray’s YouTube channel.

First published September 1, 2010.

002 – Warehouse 13 Showrunner Jack Kenny (VIDEO)

Warehouse 13 has been breaking records for the SyFy network since its launch. Today we are pleased to bring you an interview with Warehouse 13 showrunner Jack Kenny.

A graduate of the Juilliard School Theatre Center, Jack was a member of John Houseman’s “The Acting Company” and has acted on Broadway. He is also a director, and a successful show creator.

He talks about co-writing and going solo, his experiences co-creating the controversial show The Book of Daniel, and how he serendipitously came to run Warehouse 13. He also shares many great stories of how Warehouse 13 came to be, the changes he made after the pilot, experiences writing and shooting the show, and what’s to come toward the season finale in September.

Of special interest is the recent crossover episode between Warehouse 13 and Eureka (SyFy). The cross-pollination was a success, increasing ratings not only for the crossover, but also subsequent episodes. Hear Jack tell how a chance meeting at Comic-Con and someone’s BFF led to the crossover.

After the interview, you’ll hear about a new database of TV writers on Twitter, and if you’re watching the video, you’ll see how you can contact any of Warehouse 13‘s writers on Twitter. While you’re at it, why don’t you follow Gray?

For more information about Jack, including a list of credits, click herefor his IMDB profile. Wikipedia also has a page on Jack here.

Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.

Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.comor on Gray’s YouTube channel.

First published August 28, 2010.

001 – Human Target Showrunner Matt Miller (VIDEO)

Script magazine is proud to announce our editorial partnership with TVWriterPodcast.com! Hosted by Gray Jones, the TV Writer Podcast is devoted to interviews with working TV writers. It is brought to you by Script magazine and Scriptmag.com, the leading source for scriptwriting information on the web.

For the inaugural episode, Gray Jones has not one but two interviews with Human Target show runner Matt Miller. The first interview was done by host Jones on his other show, Chuck vs. the Podcast, and talks about Miller’s career path and how he ended up on Chuck. Then Jones’ second interview with Miller takes you to the present — hear all about his plans for season 2 of Human Target.

Buy Gray’s book for only $4.99! Look for it on Amazon – How To Break In To TV Writing: Insider Interviews.

Didn’t get your questions asked? Make sure you follow Gray on Twitter (@GrayJones) so you can get the scoop on who is being interviewed and how to get your questions in. Also check out our TV Writer Twitter Database to find Twitter addresses for over 1,000 TV writers. Find our previous episodes and other resources at www.tvwriterpodcast.com or on Gray’s YouTube channel.

First published August 13, 2010.