Television authorship
British 'Office' co-creator Stephen Merchant isn't afraid to fuse comedy with tragedy
Merchant co-created the British Office and Extras with Ricky Gervais. His new show, The Outlaws, is about people court-ordered to do community service for low-level crimes. He spoke with producer Sam Briger about what inspired the new series, his best writing advice, and how being very tall (6'7") has informed his personality.
Ava DuVernay Focuses On The Central Park 5's Perspective: 'Now People Know'
DuVernay's When They See Us, which is up for 16 Emmys, chronicles five black and brown teenagers who were manipulated into falsely confessing to a brutal rape. Originally broadcast June 19, 2019.
Pamela Adlon: 'Better Things' Season 3 Is 'An Exaggerated Version Of My Life'
Pamela Adlon talks about directing and writing Better Things. It's the first season without co-creator Louis C.K. After he admitted the allegations of sexual misconduct were true, Adlon severed ties with him.
'Justified' Creator Aims To Stay True To The Late Writer Elmore Leonard
The FX series, now in its final season, is based on Leonard's novella Fire in the Hole. Showrunner Graham Yost says, "I look at this show as Elmore Leonard's show, and we're all in service of him."
'Better Call Saul' Breathes New Life Into 'Breaking Bad' Characters
The new show's co-creator says it became a writers' room joke on Breaking Bad that if something didn't fit it would go on the Saul Goodman show, or what is now AMC's Better Call Saul.
Seth Meyers' 'Late Night' Challenge: What To Do With His Hands
Myers left a dream job hosting Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update to take over Late Night from Jimmy Fallon. Meyers says not having a mic in hand -- like he did in standup -- took some adjusting.
'Arrested' No More: Hurwitz On Why The Bluths Are Back
Seven years after Fox canceled the cult-favorite sitcom, a fourth season of Arrested Development is streaming on Netflix. The show's creator, Mitch Hurwitz, tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that if the show doesn't get the right ratings this time, he can't blame the time slot.
Spacey And Fincher Make A 'House Of Cards.'
Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey and Oscar-winning director David Fincher team up for a new Netflix original series that premieres Friday. House of Cards follows a Machiavellian politician as he schemes to take down the president of the United States.
Aaron Sorkin: The Writer Behind 'The Newsroom'
HBO's new behind-the-anchor-desk drama follows in the footsteps of Sorkin's hit series The West Wing. "I like writing about heroes that don't wear capes or disguises," he says.
Aaron Sorkin: The Writer Behind 'The Newsroom'
HBO's new behind-the-anchor-desk drama follows in the footsteps of Sorkin's hit series The West Wing. "I like writing about heroes that don't wear capes or disguises," he says.