Script Vs Screen

This week's episode is a real treat as we sit down with comedy nerd/sketch writer extraordinaire Mike Upchurch, who has written sketches for Mr. Show (with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross), The Chris Rock Show, and MADtv.  We learn about his start in Las Vegas, his UNLV Graduate program, where he wrote the Poetics of Sketch Comedy. We cover a little bit of everything from writing for premium channel cult hits, and major network television to meeting Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as his really funny and original projects he is currently working on.  This episode is definitely one for the record books, but it was so easy chatting with Mike, and we know it's an episode you will really enjoy listening to as he shares some really wild tales living and almost dying in Hollywood.  Take a listen and find out more!

This interview was packed with great stories of how Greg brings to life the many projects he is working on, and shows you that you have to keep working on new things with good people to get ahead in the business. From shadowing Steve Levitan on Modern Family to pitching his project to executives at the CW network it was really amazing to hear all about Greg's experiences. There were many little morsels of advice for writers, but one thing is for certain Greg is great at keeping in touch with people he meets, keeping those connections, treating those around him with respect, and believes that hard work will pay off -- you just have to work on a lot of different projects. We mention several of Greg's works, including Worst Birthday Ever, Don't Tell Larry and Bad Dad. Worst Birthday Ever can be seen on CWSeed.com (you must download the app,) Don't Tell Larry is being screened October 11, 2017 at the Bahia Club in Echo Park, Los Angeles, and Bad Dad is being featured at the New York Television Festival, October

In this episode I have the chance to speak with writer, actor and ex-Tom Cruise stand-in Mike Stern. I have always been impressed and just how much and how well Mike writes. There doesn't seem to be a genre that he cannot do - film, television, comedy, horror, drama, suspense-thrillers, detective movies - and it's inspirational to hear from someone working hard to break into Hollywood. He offers some really insightful points on honing your craft, and having the drive and work ethic so when the opportunity arises you are ready. Sometimes you even have to create those opportunities through unpaid internships at a production company, or paying a pretty-penny to go a "pitch-fest." I always enjoy spending time with Mike and hearing about all the hard work he is putting into his writing and career, the advice he got from Christopher McQuarrie, and it is always great to hear the occasional Tom Cruise story.

We had the awesome opportunity to talk to writer's assistant Taylor Friedman, who gave us a really insightful view of the Fuller House writer's room, the nitty-gritty work and attention to detail aspects of an assistant, and some really great thoughts on navigating the writer's room and getting noticed for bigger opportunities with the staff. Fuller House writers have a really tough job creating something new in Fuller House, while still paying homage or respect to the original Full House. It has to offer up heaps of nostalgia on fans from the late 80's and early 90's, while still developing a new fan base with different tastes and references. No easy feat. It's really exciting to see that Jeff Franklin is at the helm with practically everyone from the original show including Bob Saget, Dave Coulier, Lori Loughlin, Jodie Sweetin, Candice Cameron Bure, Andrea Barber and John Stamos, who executive produces. We are really excited to hear more about a show that has helped start the trend of bringing back old h

In this episode we interview two writers from the political satire show The Jim Jefferies Show. Two stand up comedians, Curtis Cook and Subhah Agarwal, sound appreciative to work with the great comedian Jim Jefferies. Having the opportunity to watch an incredibly talented comedian Jim Jefferies churn out these amazing rants, jokes and take on US politics and world issues is a real eye-opener for Cook and Agarwal. This fun episode is filled with some really helpful advice on sometimes doing the things you don't know will have a payoff, but with hard work and determination (also sheer grit, luck and a good manager) you can get some really awesome opportunities. What helps is that you do the work. Both Curtis and Subhah are talented and funny comedians, and it sounds like the Jim Jefferies Show is a fun place to be - even if it might be depressing to learn just how bad US socio-political situation is getting, and just how weird our world can be.

In our second interview we had the chance to sit down with comedian and writer Dan St. Germain. He opened up about his beginnings in stand up comedy, offering some really great advice for new comedians, as well as what it is like writing for the CBS comedy Superior Donuts. It was a really insightful chat with a very funny and talented writer. Superior Donuts starring Jermaine Fowler, Judd Hirsch, Katy Segal, Maz Jobrani and Dave Koechner has been renewed for a second season and premiers on CBS Monday, October 30 at 9:30pm.  Dan St. Germain mentioned his colleague Dan O'Shannon's book and you can get What Are You Laughing At? by clicking here. 

We introduce this side project Script V. Screen: Writers' Room where we sit down with various writers in the industry to give us a little insight into what it's like being in the room, the process taken to get that beloved television show on air. For each writer has their own experience, and each room is run in its own unique way depending on the showrunners, stars and network executives involved. For our pilot episode of SVS: Writers' Room we are honored to be interviewing Dominic Dierkes. You might know Dominic from his sketch group Derrick Comedy with Donald Glover and D.C. Pierson. He has been a staff writer for shows such as Allen Gregory (created by Jonah Hill, Andrew Mogel, Jarrad Paul), Workaholics (created by Blake Anderson, Adam Devine, Anders Holm), The Grinder (created by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul), and Making History (Julius Sharpe).  He is currently a staff writer on The Mick working with writers/creators David and John Chernin, former staff writers on Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

We celebrate our 50th episode by reviewing this past season's shows, giving our thoughts on some of the shows we covered, what we have learned from reviewing all these pilot episodes and what we are looking forward to in the 2017 TV season. It was an exciting time here at Script vs Screen, we hope you have enjoyed the past 49 episodes covering so many different genres and networks. We covered a lot of different shows from incredible hits like 30 Rock, Mad Men, Breaking Bad and Frasier to never seen shows like Warrior and Coach. We took a look at new shows like Sneaky Pete, which a year later is now enjoying a strong audience, and Preacher, both of which are looking forward to a second season. There are a lot of exciting things happening in the coming year for television and the movie industry. Networks like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon are still busy producing new content, while more established networks continue to experiment with newer shows on traditional channels like television along with online content di

In our last episode of season 4 we take a look at the beloved, highly awarded comedy Frasier. With an incredible cast that included Kelsey Grammer, David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Jane Leeves and Peri Gilpin, Frasier was on the air for an outstanding 11 seasons. This made Kelsey Grammer's Dr. Frasier Crane, one of the longest played characters on television on three shows. This show, created by David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee, is one of television's greatest spin-off series. The pilot episode is well written, and brilliantly performed. There is such great chemistry between Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce you'd have a hard time not believe they were not actual brothers. This first episode does an excellent job of establishing the entire premise of the show, bringing the beloved Frasier into the spotlight. Voted 35 of the Top 50 shows on television, Frasier is a top-notch comedy worth seeing. Netflix has all eleven seasons now streaming, and perhaps it is time for fans to revisit a classic, and

Veteran screenwriter Leslie Bohem tackles the seedy underworld of Los Angeles psychics in this Hulu Original series. Shut Eye follows Charlie and Linda Haverford as they attempt to rise up from their underling position in the Romani world in which they inhabit. This drama is an interesting peek behind the curtain into a world often passed by, and until now overlooked. What goes on in these psychic parlors? Who really owns them? What mysteries lay behind the neon signs? Strong performances from Jeffrey Donovan as Charlie, and KaDee Strickland as his tough and ambitious co-conspirator/wife Linda. Australian actor Angus Sampson plays Fonso, the "leader" of the Romani family.  He sees to be channeling an over-the-top Tony Soprano with a gruff Batman voice and seems cartoonish in many scenes. His work (alongside Jeffrey Donovan) in Fargo Season 2 is worth noting as incredible, so anything he does in Shut Eye is forgivable. And if you did not think the cast could get any better it has David Zayas (Dexter), Emmanue

We are rebroadcasting Script Vs Screen's Season 3 Episode 5 Always Sunny in Philadelphia.  Jason and Alex have had a great time this year with season 4 and looking forward to 2017. We are very excited to bring you new episodes, hoping to bring some requested shows into the Script Vs Screen family. Until then, merry christmas, happy hanukkah, and have a safe and happy new year everyone!

Based on the novel by Kem Nunn "Chance" follows neuropsychiatrist Dr. Eldon Chance through a noir-ish drama involving an abused patient and her monstrous husband. While the acting is fairly decent in the pilot episode, having an incredible cast in Hugh Laurie as the titular character, Gretchen Mol as the dame in distress, and Ethan Suplee as the engaging but odd side kick D, the material falls a bit flat in the pilot. The script is richer with more characters, both annoying and odd, including a usually silent garage attendant and artist Jean-Baptiste and Chance's workplace partner Dr. Haig. The screen pares down the unnecessary for the pilot, mainly focusing on Chance, his strange friendship with D, his patient and obvious love interest Jacklyn Blackstone, and Chance's family - his ex-wife and daughter. Chance is trying hard to be Amazon's Bosch with AMC's Breaking Bad. Hugh Laurie is a remarkable actor who brought his past character House to life with so much angst, edge and sorrow it would seem unlikely th

We returned to the CW in this episode because we felt we did not truly understand certain CW shows. In this episode we looked into the pilot episode of Frequency, a time travel-esque show based on the movie Frequency (2000) starring Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel. The premise of the show follows female detective Raimy Sullivan (Peyton List) discovering her father's HAM radio in 2016 can contact her father 20 years into the past. While we enjoyed this pilot episode, just after we reviewed it for this podcast Deadline released that both No Tomorrow and Frequency will not be getting more episodes ordered. Both shows will have season one on Netflix and the CW has not made any decisions just yet on whether or not it will cancel the shows. Frequency is worth checking out if you like movies that play with time, and we all have this fascination with what we could do with that kind of super-power. It would be really cool to see how Raimy helps her father, Frank (Riley Smith) solve crime with a 20 year gap between the

The CW's No Tomorrow is a show about a 30-something attractive, risk-adverse, single woman who falls hard for a very handsome free spirit who happens to believe the world is going to end in less than a year. Together they embark on living life to the fullest, and knocking things off their Bucket List, or as Josh's Xavier has it, his "Apoca-list." Starring Tori Anderson as Evey Covington, a product or productivity manager at a big-box cyber retailer very similar to Amazon, and Joshua Sasse (pronounced Sass or Sassy - we don't know) a former science magazine copy editor turned unemployed, live-everyday-like-it-is-your-last free spirit. These two are the reason to watch the show. Their charisma and charm is off the charts, and casting knocked it out of the park with two really attractive, endearing actors in Sasse and Anderson. Their chemistry is unbelievable, and you want to root for these two lovebirds. The pilot episode covers a lot of ground, and we do mean a lot. Aside from establishing the obvious - the

Fox's Lethal Weapon is a surprise hit for television. Many anticipated and reviewed that the show would and is a disappointment, however, it seems to be clocking in some impressive numbers right out of the gate with about 10 million viewers each episode. The show, starring Damon Wayans and Clayne Crawford, brings to the small screen the action comedy cop duo of Roger Murtaugh and Martin Riggs.  With Fox pouring a good dose of money into the production, and getting movie director McG to helm the first couple episodes the show offers a fast paced popcorn blockbuster cop show all from the comforts of your couch. It's familiar, but different - like Star Wars the Force Awakens. One thing is for certain, with the recognizable star power of Damon Wayans, and the incredible and emotional acting from Clayne Crawford, as well as including Fast and Furious' Jordana Brewster, this show has a lot going for it. If Lethal Weapon's three movies are any indication, this television show is in for a long run.

Speechless on ABC breaks new ground as a show with one of its main characters being disabled and the format being a 30-minute comedy. That's right a comedy. And it is tasteful and touching, centering on a family trying to adjust to a big move to a new community who in turn is trying to do their politically correct best at welcoming them with open arms. Families with disabled children have reacted positively to Speechless, as have the reviewers for the show, given them the levity they have craved. Speechless' main character JJ who has cerebral palsy and is restricted to a motorized wheelchair brings a character to life that has rarely been seen on television. Speechless' creator Scott Silveri channels his own life story of growing up with a sibling with disabilities to bring a realism and humor to the show. It stars Minnie Driver, John Ross Bowie, and Cedric Yarbrough. Rate us on iTunes, GooglePlay, and or where else you listen to your podcasts and don't forget to share this podcast with your friends!

We return from the summer with a new batch of autumn pilots. Our first show is the explosive political thriller Designated Survivor, starring Kal Penn, Natascha McElhone, Maggie Q, LaMonica Garrett, and Kiefer Sutherland. It is hard to not look at Kiefer Sutherland as anything but Jack Bauer from 24, and this show is a mashup of 24 meets Homeland meets House of Cards. So much so you can hear the little familiar House of Card trills and horns in the Designated Survivor theme. The script and show have a great premise to work with, and definitely deliver an action packed hour of television. The show does an excellent job establishing the characters, the world, and what is at stake - which for a show centered on the annihilation of the United States government - is a heck of a lot.  Designated Survivor starts off really strong with an incredible premise and it will be interesting to see where it can go.  Check out Designated Survivor Wednesday's at 10pm on ABC. ** Rate and review us on iTunes, or tweet or em

This minisode was a product of us getting really carried away in our discussion after Warrior. We wanted to share this, because we have learned that you can always take away something from every script you read. And what works and what doesn't work can only help with your own personal writing. Becoming a screenwriter in Hollywood can seem pretty elusive, but it is important to craft your own path, write the things you know and care about, and do not let minor set backs define you. Plus, it gives us another reason to sample the Stranger Things theme.  Enjoy. 

We were fortunate enough to get a script and first look at a pilot episode of Warrior - a mysterious martial arts crime drama that was potentially going to find a home on NBC. The script is really well written, with big ideas and great descriptions of the action and story. This show really illustrates that even with a great script, a strong cast, a skilled director and backed by a great production company, the final project could still miss the mark with editing, and not having the budget for better special effects, or more characters to give it a more fuller feel. It is as though it has all the right ingredients, but was not left in the oven long enough to rise.

This week we look into Animal Kingdom, the action drama series on TNT. Inspired by the Australian movie with the same name, the premise revolves around a young boy "J" taken in by his extended family. The young boy's (Finn Cole) grandmother is the matriarch of a crime family, where two of her boys and an "adopted" third (Scott Speedman) pull off heists to fund their somewhat lavish lifestyle. Somewhat because they live in a modest home in Ditmer, California. Conflict arises when Smurf's eldest son returns from prison looking to rejoin the gang. Animal Kingdom is like the Sopranos meets Point Break, meets the Sons of Anarchy, meets the Trailer Park Boys. We would recommend the original Australian movie, if you enjoy an interesting, thoughtful drama on the meaning of family. The show is still something to question. If you enjoy bad people doing bad things, then this is right up your alley. Shirtless men, drug use, stealing cars, shoot outs, the California sun, excessive drinking and sex, and wrestling in a poo