Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Fired, banned from set, thrown off projects, fired again, briefly blackballed. 
An extraordinary interview with writer and show creator David Steinberg about his journey from an arrogant youngster, to…

We talk to producer and screenwriter Steven S. DeKnight.
He talks about his career highlight working on Spartacus, the opportunities he missed that led to him taking that meeting and the challenges (a…

We talk to actor-turned-director Keegan Connor Tracy, She tells us why she chose to try her hand at directing, the struggles of starting from the bottom again but why now is the right time for her.
Sh…

We talk to Michael Fuller who talks us through the pain and heartbreak of his show Quarry being cut, how he used cigarettes and bourbon to get through it and the balance between being a showrunner an…

We talk to lawyer-turned-writer Melissa London Hilfers. She talks about her transition from attorney to entertainment, what her old colleagues think of her new role (and how they are easily impressed…

This week's guest is the extraordinary writer, creator and double Emmy winner Javier Grillo-Marxuach.
He works out how many of his 23 shows have been cancelled (a few), how many he has quit (some) and…

We talk to the extraordinary writer and producer Akela Cooper.
She talks about combatting the loneliness of writing, particularly during a pandemic, the sage advice of her mother and the discipline of…

We talk to legendary writer, show creator and exec producer Glen Mazzara. 
He talks about crisis training in the entertainment industry, how he still suffers from imposter syndrome and the time a knif…

We talk to the extraordinary Ryan Knighton, a blind writer of books and TV.
He explains how blindness helps him with the art of describing scenes, using the time he doesn't spend on driving and video …

We talk to Kira Snyder, computer game designer-turned-writer and now showrunner. She talks about the 'new' Hollywood and its concern for mental health and wellbeing, how working in corporate America …

We talk to writer and graphic novelist Bryan Hill.
He tells us about an extraordinarily cruel early rejection, how he channeled that, and other setbacks, into success and why he feels without failure …

We talk to showrunner Joe Henderson about his Hollywood journey.
He talks about his formative years as an assistant and how he is grateful for the extended period he spent at this position - but then …

We hear the fascinating take of Jeffrey Lieber, the creator of the first version of the Lost pilot.
We talk about how he dealt with his relationship with the show as it went in a different direction, …

We talk to veteran writer Jose Molina.
He talks through the balance between finding a long-running show, finding a show you like and making bold and reckless decision early in your career.
He explains …

We talk to Marc Bernardin about his different careers and the different types of failure he suffered. He talks about journalism, being fired while on vacation and knowing when to break the rules and …

We talk to David Goodman, veteran writer and WGA West President. He talks about the pain of a comedy writer pitching jokes that don’t land, the thin line to tread between comedy and causing offense a…

We talk to show creator Mickey Fisher. He tells us about how his 'overnight success' wasn't actually overnight, being fired in hotel rooms and having his gate pass for the studio revoked as the first…

We talk to the amazing John Rogers. The veteran writer and showrunner gives his views from 30 years in the industry.
He tells the amazing story of the awful Catwoman, how he owned his role in the movi…

We talk to the extraordinary Shawn Simmons about his cult hit Wayne.
He tells us about the rare occurrence of having his network cancelled under his show, the joy of a show being reborn on Amazon and …

We talk to horror writer Jeff Howard. He tells us about being rejected - with various levels of misfortune - by Nicolas Cage, John Stamos and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
He talks about the kiss of deat…