Screaming into the Hollywood Abyss

Latest Episodes:

I Still Know What You Did at Film School. Showrunner and show creator Trey Callaway from APB, Supernatural, House of David and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

What an episode!

Legendary showrunner and show creator Trey Callaway joins us.

He talks about a failed pitch leading to two huge successes, the letter from a dying man that reinspired him and the life and death of showrunners.

Trey tells us about going from film school student to being at the front of the class, Coppola coming to his hometown and why he now writes for good.

A magnificent episode with an incredible storyteller.

Hollywood, Ending. Writing, tuberculosis and how many signed books is enough. John Green, Fault in our Stars, Paper Towns, Turtles All The Way Down. Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

We have the magnificent John Green on the show.

The best-selling author talks about his new book Hollywood, Ending.

He tells us why the long gap between novels, turning books into films and whether he enjoys writing.

We talk books being turned into toilet paper, his love of soccer and his pursuit of non-fiction.

John talks openly about anxiety, imposter syndrome and dealing with fame.

Deepfakes and documentaries - Showrunner Ben Chanan, The Capture Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

We talk to British show creator Ben Chanan. The creator of The Capture talks about his transition from documentaries to scripted tv, carrying the idea around in his head for five years and how getting Covid nearly derailed a whole season.

We discuss about the spy genesis of the series, British show vs American show creation and the access and experience of documentaries.

Ben speaks honestly about his journey from editor to director to show creator and what he learned along the way.

Take 156 - Showrunner Erica Messer, Criminal Minds Evolution, Party of Five, Alias Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

We have the excellent Erica Messer on the show.

She tells her story of moving from temp to writer, the greats she learned from and how she got to work on some of the most iconic shows of our time.

What she learned from being a bartender, the joy of studio lots and how she coped with working on a dark show like Criminal Minds and being a mother.

A fun, informative and in-depth chat with someone whose been in some of Hollywood’s most iconic writing rooms.

Take 155 - Executive producer, director Minkie Spiro, All Her Fault, 3 Body Problem, Rat Women Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

We have the remarkable Minkie Spiro on the show. Heavily Emmy nominated for All Her Fault, she talks about her start in documentaries, the family disapproval of her career choices and what she learned on Holby City.

We talk about being pissed on by rats and what that teaches you about life, she uses some great British phrases and we discuss award shows.

We talk Downton Abbey, 3 Body Problem and show producing compared to directing.

One of our funniest and most brightest episodes with a legend.

Take 154 - Showrunner and Creator Craig Gerber, Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor May 22, 2026

Show notes

A true fairytale today as we talk to Craig Gerber, creator of Disney princess shows galore.

He tells us his fascinating tale of fairies that led him to create Sofia the First while stuck in a traffic jam, the joy of working at Disney and presentation and diversity in writing rooms.

He talks about his early career struggles, creating the new Sofia the First: Royal Magic show and what next for his writing career.

A heartwarming tale of success in Hollywood articulately told.

Take 153 - Showrunners and Writers Kristin Robinson and Ian Deitchman, It’s Not Like That May 14, 2026

Show notes

We welcome the dynamic writing duo of Ian Deitchman and Kristin Robinson to the show.

We talk about celebrating wins together, the mechanics of a writing pair and their new show It’s Not Like That.

They tell us why they have a shared inbox, being mistaken for a couple couple and the changing dynamics of writing rooms.

A deep dive into the world of writing partners navigating today’s TV landscape.

Take 152 - Writer, producer, director Thom Harp, Home Delivery, The Donor Party Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

What a nice man!

We have Thom Harp on the show to talk movies, pitches and being nice.

We talk persistence, writing what you know and getting the best out of your team.

Thom describes the frustrations of years of pushing, how he made the most of the Covid opportunity by listening to sensible advice and the joy of working in a job you love.

A really fun, informative and engaging chat.

Take 151 - Showrunner, Writer Courtney Lilly, Black-ish, Everyone Hates Chris Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

We have the impressive Courtney Lilly on the show.

He talks about the state of Hollywood, being in the same storm but a different boat and the luck it takes to succeed.

We hear about his start as a journalist, showrunning on a show created by someone else and the importance of Morpheus.

Why Black-ish was a success, talented actors over good writing and the importance and value of diversity.

A fascinating and insightful interview full of self-reflection, nuggets of wisdom and candour.

Take 150 - Writer, Director David Zucker - Airplane, Top Secret, The Naked Gun Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Episode 150 and we have a legend on. It’s David Zucker, he of The Naked Gun and Airplane fame.

He is as funny and witty and irreverent as you would hope he would be.

David tells us the story of how he got Airplane made, we talk about the puns of it all and why he doesn’t like the new Naked Gun movie.

He talks about spoofs, his new project the Star of Malta and the self-confidence to move to Hollywood.

We hear about when he was king of Hollywood, how they tricked the DGA into letting three of them direct a movie and his new course - Master Crash - https://mastercrash.kit.com/join

A fittingly insightful conversation for episode 150 with a true Hollywood legend.

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