First '30 Rock,' now 'Community': Actor and writer Donald Glover is a double threat

Donald Glover, image via Wikipedia

By BOB ANDELMAN
 
On the NBC freshman sitcom hit “Community,” Donald Glover plays “Troy,” a self-involved, former high school football star trying to find a place for himself in a junior college setting where his athletic accomplishments don’t mean much.

On the other hand, the pretty young girl in his study group, Annie—played by Alison Brie—thinks Troy can do anything. Anything with her, that is.

What may surprise fans of the show to learn, however, is that Glover was previously best known as a comedy writer.

He was a writer and executive story editor for “30 Rock,” sharing Writers Guild of America awards with the staff for best comedy series three years running—not usually the most direct line to starring in a sitcom. He also wrote, scored, produced and stars in the movie, Mystery Team.

Listen to more "Community" actor interviews with Mr. Media Radio:
Alison Brie
Yvette Nicole Brown

DONALD GLOVER AUDIO EXCERPT: "When I was writing at '30 Rock,' sometimes Tracy Moran couldn't make it and they'd have me do my Tracy imitation at the table read. Marcy Klein, a producer on '30 Rock' and 'Saturday Night Live,' asked me to audition for 'SNL.' It moved to doing bit parts on '30 Rock' and doing my own standup before 'Community.'" 

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Copyright 2010 Bob Andelman. Click here for copyright permissions!

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Howard J. Morris, Jenny Lee, co-authors, TV sitcom writers, WOMEN ARE CRAZY, MEN ARE STUPID: Mr. Media Radio Interview

Cover via Amazon

By BOB ANDELMAN

Howard J. Morris and Jenny Lee didn’t just co-author the new book Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid, they actually live together as a couple.

My experience, many years removed, is that working on a book with my spouse, a gifted editor, wa s that to continue doing so would generate the title, “Women Are Crazy, Men Are Stupid… Couple is Divorced.”

But I digress.

Morris and Lee have an advantage over most couples who might put themselves in the position of exposing the intricacies of an interpersonal relationship. They’re professional TV comedy writers so zingers and comebacks are all part of a day’s work.

Howard began his career writing for one of my favorite HBO series of all time, “Dream On” and later wrote for “Home Improvement,” “My Wife and Kids,” “According to Jim” and “The Starter Wife.”

Jenny was a writer on one of my wife’s favorite shows, "Samantha Who?" And is the author of three humor collections, including Skinny Bitching.

AUDIO EXCERPT: "As we were writing, I kept thinking, 'This would be a great episode!' Once the book got a really good response, we sold a pilot to ABC. It was the best early Christmas present ever. And now we have to cast people as ourselves." 

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You can LISTEN to this interview with HOWARD J. MORRIS AND JENNY LEE, co-authors and TV sitcom writers of WOMEN ARE CRAZY, MEN ARE STUPID, by clicking the audio player above!

Copyright 2010 Bob Andelman. Click here for copyright permissions!

Steve Dildarian, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM creator, star: Mr. Media Interview

If you ever wondered what Larry David—the star of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm”—was like in his 20s, the answer may be found in the adventures of a guy named Tim.

Tim is the lead character in a new animated sitcom on HBO called “The Life and Times of Tim.” It is vulgar, nasty and sometimes so subtle you’ll want to rewind and check to see if what you thought you heard was really what came out of the characters’ mouths.

“Tim” comes to us from the mind—and mouth—of Steve Dildarian, who not only created the show but is the voice of its star.

You can LISTEN to this interview with STEVE DILDARIAN, star and creator of HBO's "THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM," by clicking the BlogTalkRadio.com audio player below!

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Copyright 2008 Bob Andelman. Click here for copyright permissions!

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