Five Reasons You Should Be Watching The Writers' Room

By Cindy Davis | Lists | March 20, 2014 |

By Cindy Davis | Lists | March 20, 2014 |

As I’ve mentioned before, if you’re not already watching Sundance Channel’s excellent series The Writers’ Room, you’re missing out on some seriously fascinating television. Hosted by the multitalented Jim Rash, the talk show invites writers from popular series—Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, American Horror Story, Parks and Recreation, New Girl—to talk about how their shows were conceived and created, and what their writing process is. If you missed the first season, it’s available on iTunes, Amazon and DVD (some episodes can be found on the webosphere).

1. Jim Rash Is an Excellent Host.

An Academy Award winning screenwriter, himself (and actor, comedian, producer), Rash is smart, funny, and asks all the right questions. He’s personable and engaging—the anti-James Lipton, if you will.

2. He’d Steal the Best Stuff.

3. As Opposed to Many Awkward Television Interviews, the Writers Are Clearly Comfortable Discussing Their Series Here.

4. Upon Its Return, Season 2 Will Feature a Little Something for Everyone.

Scandal, April 14th

Panel: Jenna Bans (Co-Executive Producer), Mark Wilding (Executive Producer), Matt Byrne (Story Editor), Heather Mitchell (Supervising Producer), Shonda Rhimes (Creator and Showrunner), Kerry Washington (Cast Member).

The Walking Dead, Superman and Other Comic Book Adaptations (Smallville), April 21st

Panel: Robert Kirkman (Creator and Writer of The Walking Dead comic books and Executive Producer and Writer, AMC’s The Walking Dead), Al Gough and Miles Millar (Creators and Executive Producers, Smallville), Blair Butler (Writer of the comic book Heart, Geek Culture Expert for MSN Nerdcore), Michael Schneider (Los Angeles Bureau Chief, TV Guide Magazine).

House of Cards, April 28th

Panel: Beau Willimon (Creator and Showrunner), Laura Eason (Writer and Story Editor), John Mankiewicz (Writer and Co-Executive Producer), Molly Parker (Cast Member), Matt Bai (Political Consultant/National Political columnist for Yahoo! News).

The Good Wife, May 5th

Panel: Ted Humphrey (Writer and Executive Producer), Michelle King (Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner), Robert King (Creator, Executive Producer and Showrunner), Julianna Margulies (Cast Member).

Sons of Anarchy, May 12th

Panel: Kurt Sutter (Creator and Showrunner), Mike Daniels (Co-Executive Producer), Charles Murray (Co-Executive Producer), Katey Sagal (Cast Member).

Pretty Little Liars, May 19th

Panel: Joseph Dougherty (Executive Producer), Oliver Goldstick (Executive Producer), I. Marlene King (Executive Producer), Shay Mitchell (Cast Member), Sasha Pieterse (Cast Member).

5. I Need You Guys to Help Me Lobby for Hannibal, Justified and Mad Men Panels.

Bryan Fuller must explain his genius and artistic process, Graham Yost has some serious ‘splainin’ to do (I’m talking to you, Season 5), and I’m certain Matthew Weiner would have plenty to talk about…including debunking all those crazy theories.

Cindy Davis, (Twitter) loves being that fly on the wall.