The Writers Panel
The definitive insider's guide to our current golden age of television, Ben Blacker's The Writers Panel is an ever expanding anthology of live convention panels and intimate in-studio interviews with the writers, producers, and show runners responsible for all the shows you can't stop watching. Over the course of nearly 500 episodes and counting, The Writers Panel has sat across from guests such as Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad), Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele (Key and Peele), Liz Meriwether (New Girl), and Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) to talk about the art and business of creating great television. Produced by the Forever Dog Podcast Network.
51
Jordan Blum, Janet Lin, and Jim Barnes
A panel interview with Jordan Blum (showrunner, MODOK); Janet Lin (Bridgerton; The Orville); and Jim Barnes (The Walking Dead; Timeless). Hosted by Ben Blacker.
55 min
52
Ronald D. Moore, Sigal Avin, and Lana Cho
A panel interview with Ronald D. Moore (creator, For all Mankind; Battlestar Galactica); Sigal Avin (creator, Losing Alice); and Lana Cho (Four Weddings and a Funeral; Timeless). Hosted by Ben Blacker.
65 min
53
Jami O'Brien and Cindy Fang
A panel interview with Jami O'Brien (NOS4A2, Hell on Wheels) and Cindy Fang (Fresh Off the Boat, Girl Meets World). Hosted by Ben Blacker.
40 min
54
Simon Allen (The Watch)
A chat with Simon Allen, creator of BBC America's The Watch, based on Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. An engrossing conversation about telling personal stories, expanding the language of TV, and more.
48 min
55
2020 Year in Review
Say goodbye to 2020 with a visit from some of this year's favorite guests talking about Zoom rooms, pitching remotely, and the ways in which this awful year will impact the future of the industry. With Ilana Peña (creator, Diary of a Future President), Andrew Miller (creator, Secret Circle), J. Holtham (Supergirl), Tamara Brecher (Doom Patrol), Nicole Levy (SWAT), and Carlos Foglia (Lore).
85 min
56
Moises Zamora, Amit Cohen, and Ron Leshem
A panel interview with the creator and co-showrunner of Selena, MOISES ZAMORA, and the co-creators of No Man's Land and Valley of Tears, AMIT COHEN and RON LESHEM. Hosted by Ben Blacker.
54 min
57
Writers Panel Throwback: Conan Writers (2016)
Conan premiered on TBS ten years ago this month. With Conan O'Brien's announcement that the series would end next year, what better time to revisit this conversation with the Conan writing staff from 2016?
85 min
58
Writers Panel Throwback: Vince Gilligan (2012)
An in-depth chat with Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. Vince is candid and thoughtful about his past experiences (including seven years on the X-Files), the process of creating complex characters, and the importance of collaboration. Originally aired 3/5/2012
83 min
59
Christopher Landon (Writer/Director, Freaky and...
Christopher Landon put in his time in the feature trenches before breaking through in a huge way with the terrific Happy Death Day and its sequel, Happy Death Day 2U.
49 min
60
Writers Panel Throwback: Creators of The Walkin...
In celebration of Halloween, please enjoy this classic Writers Panel interview with The Walking Dead showrunner Glen Mazzara and writers Scott Gimple and Angela Kang.
66 min
61
Justin Simien (Bad Hair, Dear White People)
Justin Simien is the mind behind the terrific movie and TV show Dear White People as well as the new horror-comedy Bad Hair (premiering on Hulu 10/23). Justin has thoughtful, smart, funny things to say both in his movies and this podcast! Some great concepts about writing stories to believe in, art and commerce, process, humor, and SHADE. Don't miss this one.
63 min
62
Host (Rob Savage, Gemma Hurley, & Jed Shepherd)
A panel interview with the minds behind Host, the scariest fiction to come out of the pandemic - Writer/Director Rob Savage and Writers Gemma Hurley and Jed Shepherd. Hosted by Ben Blacker.
55 min
63
Mary Laws (Monsterland), Brannon Braga (Books o...
A panel interview with Mary Laws (creator, Monsterland); Brannon Braga (director/co-writer, Books of Blood); and Matt Morgan (producer, Helstrom). Hosted by Ben Blacker.
59 min
64
Neasa Hardiman, Matt Negrete, & Aaron B. Koontz
A panel interview with Neasa Hardiman (writer/director, Sea Fever); Matt Negrete (co-creator, The Walking Dead: World Beyond); and Aaron B. Koontz (director/co-writer, The Pale Door). Hosted by Ben Blacker.
55 min
65
Writers Panel Throwback: Damon Lindelof (2012)
Lost premiered 16 years ago today. Co-creator Damon Lindelof has been a frequent and welcome guest on the podcast. To celebrate Lost-iversary, revisit this conversation from 2012 when Damon was transitioning from massive TV success to movies like the Aliens tie-in Prometheus and JJ Abrams' Star Trek films. A triumphant return to showrunning, with The Leftovers in 2014 and Watchmen in 2019, were still years away. A fascinating period for a remarkable writer.
57 min
66
Aline Brosh McKenna at DePaul University
TV and feature writer and director Aline Brosh McKenna (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; The Devil Wears Prada) answers questions from DePaul University's Showrunners class about drama and comedy, movies and TV, finding your voice, and more.
52 min
67
Denitria Harris-Lawrence, Rachel Shukert, & Kat...
Panel interview with Denitria Harris-Lawrence (David Makes Man; Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.); Rachel Shukert (creator, The Baby-Sitters Club; GLOW); and Kathleen Jordan (creator, Teenage Bounty Hunters; American Princess).
88 min
68
Infinity Train (Owen Dennis, Madeline Queripel,...
Infinity Train is a lovely, emotional, weird show that your whole family can enjoy. In today's episode the team behind the show including Creator Owen Dennis, Supervising Director Madeline Queripel, and writers Alex Horab, Justin Michael, and Lindsay Katai discuss the creation and process of Infinity Train.
68 min
69
Ashley Nicole Black, Kirk Moore, Yassir Lester
Panel interview with Ashley Nicole Black (A Black Lady Sketch Show; Ted Lasso); Kirk Moore (13 Reasons Why; American Crime); and Yassir Lester (Black Monday; Girls). Hosted by Ben Blacker.
64 min
70
Kevin Biegel at DePaul University
Enlisted and Cougar Town creator Kevin Biegel answers questions from the DePaul University Showrunners class and is, as always, helpful, positive, and funny.
45 min
71
Steven Canals at DePaul University
Steven Canals (Pose) answers questions from DePaul University writing students as part of a class on TV showrunners.
67 min
72
Writers Panel Throwback: TV Under Trump
Throwback to an ATX Television Festival panel on writing TV in the wake of the 2016 Election. Recorded June 9, 2017. With Javier Grillo-Marxuach, Michael Rauch, Julie Plec, Beau Willimon, Liz Tigelaar, and Paul Garnes.
66 min
73
Gloria Calderón Kellett at DePaul University
Gloria Calderón Kellett (One Day at a Time) answers questions from DePaul University writing students as part of a class on TV showrunners.
61 min
74
Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy (Blow Th...
Blow the Man Down writer/directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy.
61 min
75
Nathaniel Halpern (creator, Tales from the Loop...
Ben Blacker and special co-host J. Holtham (Jessica Jones, Supergirl, Cloak & Dagger) talk to the creator of Tales from the Loop, Nathaniel Halpern.
47 min