Inside the Writers Studio

The other day, I was floating down the 405 Interstate in Los Angeles on my magic carpet. While I drifted past the different exits leading to Hollywood, swirling my chalice of grape juice instead of my standard preference of rum (I was on the freeway, after all) I began to wonder, “Do writers have a self-serving, celebratory television show for them in the same way that actors do? Is there one out there that I don’t know about?” Sure, you have Charlie Rose, with his darkened void of a backdrop like something out of House of Leaves, and, admittedly, his show often features authors, discussing their work and methods of writing. Back in the day, Larry King used to have writers on as guests every so often. Fresh Air with Terri Gross has interviewed authors before on NPR, but again, not in the same visual and cradle-to-coffin way I’m talking about. And while you have the mega stars of publishing like King and Rowling popping in on Leno every once in a blue moon, there really isn’t a TV show out there that has the art of writing, and more importantly, the writers, as the main focus. Now, I’m no ratings analyst, but this can’t possibly be because there isn’t a market for it. Let’s face it, we live in a world with television shows based entirely around cupcakes and people who eat sofa cushioning and toilet paper. Yet, the belief is that writers wouldn’t want to watch a program interviewing other writers. Does that make any sense? Don’t you think readers would want to watch this too? Case in point: I recently read somewhere that there are over 30 million people in the world that identify as writers. You’re telling me there isn’t a market for a show focusing on the writing life?

With that being said, I have a crazy idea I’d like to share. This is my pitch, so tell me what you think.

Class. Elegance. Institution. Wouldn’t you say those words sum up the show Inside the Actors Studio? For those of you unfamiliar with the program, Pace University and The New School of Acting in New York City have invited famous actors for over 15 years to speak to a crowd of current acting students. While there, they discuss the craft, their careers, and what drew them to acting. The interview is bookended with questions of their personal life starting out – where they were born, their childhood – and ends with seven questions made famous by French television personality Bernard Pivot and questions from the audience. The interviews are televised – and have been since its inception in 1994 – with host and dean emeritus James Lipton on the cable network, Bravo! The stories are moving, inspirational, funny and most of all, surprising. Regardless of your feelings toward acting and Hollywood, there are some very stirring experiences and antidotes that will serve as a motivation in pursuit of your own dreams, no matter what they may be, urging you to never give up (see Hillary Swank’s and Jim Carrey’s episodes for examples of such).

This program has been a source of encouragement for many actors over the years and has become a cultural benchmark of the acting world in our society’s subconscious. In fact, the show has been spoofed several times on Saturday Night Live with Will Ferrell doing a hilarious impersonation of James Lipton (who, by the way, is 85 years old and doesn’t look a day over 60!). Even the opening suite by composer Angelo Badalamenti envelopes you in an emotional, swelling and uplifting shroud, putting you into a mind space of determination and pride concerning your own personal projects; the music whispers in your ears, you can do this, don’t give up. As you can probably tell, I’m a fan. If you haven’t watched any episodes, you should really give it a shot, if for nothing else, but the hope that it springs in you for your own dreams of success.

Now, imagine that same format presented for writers. Would you watch it? Not everyone wants to be a writer, and not everyone wants to be an actor, and neither does every writer want to be interviewed in front of hundreds of people. But, just for a moment, imagine watching that same one-on-one interview with a writer you adore, admire and look to for inspiration, having that connection, hearing funny inside stories about your favorite novel or short story, gleaning from the wisdom of their life in the business, or how you can handle your own set of challenges through their example. An hour-long feature of how they overcame their fears, what drove them, where the characters of their famous works were birthed, how they came to be, what inspired the story, and what they thought of the audience’s reaction to it would be an absolute thrill for fans. Wouldn’t you agree?

The idea of a reality show about a writer seems pretty boring, yes, but an intimate, conversational and funny chat about their careers and life would be, I believe, an honorable and encouraging outlet for those 30 million people looking for it. Imagine the hilarious quotes someone like Tom Robbins could offer to a national stage (not that he would partake in such a large spotlight, being so private). Or some of the bizarre stories Carl Hiaasen might share from the Miami Herald. And we’ve all heard Rowling’s story of rags to riches, but usually during interviews, like the ones on Inside the Actors Studio, quite a few surprises are revealed about the story and life of the interviewee that were never known before, giving the conversation an extra magical touch. Even some of the up-and-coming indie authors could have a shot at being in the hot seat, maybe establishing this interview as a kind of lofty target for their career.

Again, this was just a daydream on a freeway outside of Hollywood on my magic carpet, but what do you think?