Episodes
Take 67 - Writer, producer Tze Chun, Secrets of the Mogwai, Gotham
May 19, 2022
We talk to the amazing Tze Chun. He talks us through his mathematical approach to creativity and goal-setting - a short every six months, 100 episodes of television! - his transitions from film to tv and back again and talks…
Take 66 - Showrunner and show creator Jan Nash, NCIS: Hawaii, Without a Trace
May 12, 2022
We talk to the incredible Jan Nash. She tells us about her long and storied career in Hollywood, the importance of compassionate leadership and her time as a studio executive. She tells us what she learned as an investment b…
Take 65 - Producer, writer, showrunner Liz Hannah, The Post, The Dropout, The Girl from Plainville
May 5, 2022
We talk to the extraordinary writer, showrunner and producer Liz Hannah. She talks about working with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in her breakout script, getting tattoos after project successes and not buying her husband gift…
Take 64 - Writer, director Nida Manzoor, We Are Lady Parts, Doctor Who
April 28, 2022
In an episode with two British voices, it was a pleasure to have writer and director Nida Manzoor join us on the podcast. She tells us about the excitement and nerves of directing for British institution Doctor Who, turning …
Take 63 - Showrunner and creator Christopher Silber, NCIS, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawaii
April 21, 2022
We talk to NCIS legend Christopher Silber. He talks about his first time working on the franchise, the difficult work environment at the time and getting fired. But then also his return to the franchise, his continued love f…
Take 62 - Studio President Beatrice Springborn, Universal Content Productions and Universal International Studios
April 14, 2022
Studio president Beatrice Springborn joins the podcast to give the view from 'upstairs'. She talks about her journey through journalism, start-ups and Pixar with some Film School thrown in. We discuss her leadership style , …
Take 61 - Director Tessa Blake, NCIS Hawaii, American Horror Story
April 7, 2022
We talk to director Tessa Blake about her rise through the world of episodic TV. She talks about the balance between craft and leadership skills, what she learned as a cocktail waitress and the importance of learning people'…
Take 60 - Writer Liz Alper, WGA Board Member, Pay Up Hollywood
March 31, 2022
We talk to TV writer, WGA Board Member and co-founder of Pay Up Hollywood Liz Alper. We chat with Liz about the challenges she’s faced this year looking for work as well as what the industry is facing as a whole in the middl…
Take 59 - Mike Royce, Everybody loves Raymond, Men of Certain Age
March 24, 2022
We talk to comedian, writer and showrunner Mike Royce. He talks us through his life as a comedian, compares bombing on stage to bad pitching in a room and the joy of regular Emmy nominations. And then trying to find success …
Take 58 - Writer, Exec Craig Engler, Shudder
March 17, 2022
We talk to Shudder General Manager Craig Engler. The writer-turned-exec tells us what he’s learned about rejection as a writer and how he now behaves as an exec. Craig talks about the emotional heartbreak of a writing proje…
Take 57 - Showrunner Vaun Wilmott, Dominion, Jack Ryan
March 10, 2022
We talk to showrunner Vaun Wilmott who tells stories of giving up acting, selling shampoo and breaking into the world of writing. He tells us about his 'overnight success', taking more than ten years of writing until he crea…
Take 56 - Showrunner Patrick Macmanus, Dr Death
March 3, 2022
In one of our most in-depth and emotional interviews we talk to showrunner Patrick Macmanus. He tells us his Hollywood journey - part-time bartending, failed at acting and transition to writing. Patrick talks about giving u…
Take 55 - Showrunner Simon Barry, Warrior Nun
Feb. 24, 2022
We talk to Simon Barry about his adventures in Hollywood and are joined by guest co-host and Maze Runner writer Grant Pierce Myers. He talks about his first short film screening that no one turned up to, losing a girlfriend …
Take 54 - Jen McGowan, Director, Rust Creek
Feb. 17, 2022
The podcast shifts from writer to director and we are delighted to be joined by Jen McGowan. She tells us her journey into directing, how winning an award early in her career changed her view of Hollywood and the importance …
Take 53 - Brad Wright, showrunner Travelers, Stargate
Feb. 10, 2022
Fascinating interview with another successful Canadian - this time showrunner Brad Wright, co-creator of Stargate SG-1 and Netflix's Travelers. He talks about how he managed to avoid moving to Hollywood, why being Canadian i…
Take 52 - Craig Thomas, showrunner How I Met Your Mother
Feb. 3, 2022
We talk to the incredible Craig Thomas, co-creator and showrunner of How I Met Your Mother. He explains how he nearly derailed himself after success came early, the importance of focus on successful projects and the risk of …
Take 51 - Rob Thomas, showrunner and novelist
Jan. 27, 2022
We start season 2 with veteran showrunner and novelist Rob Thomas. We get straight into it with the crushing blow of losing an overall deal with a major studio, a hellish year of development and concerns that his most recent…
Prologue -Season 2
Jan. 20, 2022
Ahead of the return of our second season, Noah and Dan sit down for another of their little chats. They talk about Noah's recovery from illness, the incredible reception to our first season and what is to come in the second.…
Epilogue - Season One review
Nov. 18, 2021
Noah and Dan review the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss. They talk about what they learned, why they did it and how much it meant to both of them. And Noah reveals a secret that will bring new meaning to o…
Season Finale. Take 50 - Showrunner Bill Lawrence, Scrubs, Ted Lasso
Nov. 11, 2021
We end the first season of Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss with Bill Lawrence. He tells about his multiple early firings, how he feels when his shows fail to become hits and how difficult it was to pitch Ted Lasso. He tal…
Take 49 - Writer Steven E. de Souza, Die Hard, Tomb Raider, Commando
Nov. 4, 2021
One of his producers died in a car crash, another was murdered - and these aren't even his most dramatic stories! In the penultimate show of the season, we talk to legendary screenwriter Steven E. de Souza. The Die Hard writ…
Take 48 - Showrunner David Shore, House, The Good Doctor
Oct. 28, 2021
We talk to the legendary showrunner David Shore. He talks us through his journey giving up working as a lawyer in Canada and moving to Hollywood with very limited contacts - and very limited writing skills. He explains how h…
Take 47 - Derek Simonds, The Sinner
Oct. 21, 2021
We talk to Derek Simonds about his experience taking up the reins of The Sinner. He talks openly about the overwhelming experience of taking on the multi-disciplinary showrunner role, the pressure it created and the toll it …
Take 45 - Writer and Showrunner Sam Ernst, Haven, Carnival Row, Daredevil
Oct. 7, 2021
We talk to the remarkable Sam Ernst. He tells his story of instant success in the restaurant business followed by early failure in the entertainment industry and what he learned along the way. Sam explains his relationship w…