Episode 35: Mike Royce

Writers' Bloc Podcast

In this episode we talk to Mike Royce (executive producer of "Enlisted", Fridays at 9 on Fox) about the intricacies of transitioning from comedian to staff writer to executive producer and showrunner, which is not as easy as it sounds, and it doesn't even sound easy. We also discuss different shooting styles and writing styles and the benefits of getting a scene shot the way you wrote it and then allowing the actors to improvise in the event they can think of something far better than you struggled for hours to think of, which, unfortunately, they often do. Mike grew up in Syracuse, New York, and graduated from film school at Ithaca College. From there he moved to New York City to try his hand (and mouth) at stand up comedy eventually appearing on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien". In 1999, Mike joined the writing staff of “Everybody Loves Raymond” winning Emmy Awards in 2003 and 2005 for "Best Comedy". Mike was the executive producer and showrunner of HBO's “Lucky Louie” starring Louis CK, and is currently the executive producer of “Enlisted". So watch it! (It's really good.) Enjoy!