The Writer's Room On The Sundance Channel 7~29~2013 10PM ET: 6 EP Series Gives Fans Behind-The-Scenes Look Of Scripters Of Breaking Bad, Dexter, Game Of Thrones, et al.

SUNDANCE CHANNEL AND ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY SET TO PREMIERE ‘THE WRITERS’ ROOM’ ON MONDAY, JULY 29, HOSTED BY ACADEMY AWARD©-WINNING SCREENWRITER AND ‘COMMUNITY’ STAR JIM RASH

PREMIERE SEASON TO FEATURE STELLAR LINE-UP OF HIT SCRIPTED SERIES ‘BREAKING BAD’, ‘DEXTER’, ‘GAME OF THRONES’, ‘AMERICAN HORROR STORY’, ‘PARKS AND RECREATION’ AND ‘NEW GIRL’

Presented by Sundance Channel and Entertainment Weekly, THE WRITERS’ ROOM is set to premiere on Monday, July 29 and will be hosted by Academy Award©-winning screenwriter (THE DESCENDANTS), comedian and actor Jim Rash (Community). The six episode half-hour series will spotlight an array of scripted television shows – from today’s pioneering cable dramas, including BREAKING BAD, Dexter, Game of Thrones and American Horror Story to the most critically acclaimed and popular network sitcoms, including Parks and Recreation and New Girl. The roundtable talk show will delve deep into the world of TV’s creative masterminds, divulging inside details about their smartest choices, toughest decisions and biggest mistakes. The announcement was made today by Sarah Barnett, Sundance Channel President and General Manager.

“Television today inspires communities of passionate and vocal fans who crave a never-ending amount of new information about their favorite shows,” said Barnett. “Entertainment Weekly speaks to fans of television like no other brand which makes them the perfect partner for this series. We also found the perfect host in the multi-talented Jim Rash. He brings the perspective of someone who is hugely talented both behind and in front of the camera, and he intimately understands the unique highs and lows of a being a writer.”

The Writer's Room: Breaking Bad Video Full EP
“As a writer and fan, I’m honored to have such a spectacular opportunity to sit down with colleagues whose work I respect and admire and talk about shows that have had such tremendous impact in pop culture. It’s a delight to be able to share with our audience what makes their creative teams tick and share a behind-the-scenes look at how their genius programs come to life,” said Rash. “Having Sundance Channel and Entertainment Weekly behind the production, is the icing on the cake.”

“As longtime followers and admirers of Jim Rash’s work, we’re elated to have his brilliance be a part of ‘The Writers’ Room’. TV continues to become more and more riveting, as proven by the fantastic line-up of series featured in the premiere season and Rash, who’s a writer himself, is in a unique position to explore the creative process behind these shows.” said Jess Cagle, the editor of Entertainment Weekly.

Panelists include (in alphabetical order):

American Horror Story
Panelists
Brad Falchuk (Co-creator, Show-runner, Executive Producer)
Tim Minear (Writer, Executive Producer)
Ryan Murphy (Creator, Show-runner, Executive Producer)
Lily Rabe (Cast member)

Entertainment Weekly Featured Expert: Lynette Rice, West Coast News Editor

Breaking Bad
Panelists
Sam Catlin (Writer, Co-Executive Producer)
Bryan Cranston (Cast Member; Producer)
Vince Gilligan (Creator, Executive Producer, Show-runner)
Peter Gould (Writer, Co-Executive Producer)
Gennifer Hutchison (Writer/Executive Story Editor)
George Mastras (Writer, Co-Executive Producer)
Thomas Schnauz (Writer, Co-Executive Producer)
Moira Walley-Beckett (Writer, Co-Executive Producer)

Entertainment Weekly Featured Expert: Jess Cagle, Editor

Dexter
Panelists
Scott Buck (Show-runner, Executive Producer)
Sara Colleton (Executive Producer, originally brought book to network)
Manny Coto (Executive Producer, Writer)
Michael C. Hall (Executive Producer, Cast)
Wendy West (Executive Producer, Writer)

Entertainment Weekly Featured Expert: Dan Snierson, Sr. Writer

Game of Thrones
Panelists
David Benioff (Co-creator, Show-runner, Executive Producer)
D.B. Weiss (Co-creator, Show-runner, Executive Producer)

New Girl
Panelists
Brett Baer (Exeuctive Producer, Writer, Co-Show-runner)
Dave Finkel (Executive Producer, Writer, Co-Show-runner)
Elizabeth “Liz” Meriwether (Creator, Show-runner, Executive Producer)
Jake Johnson (Cast member)

Parks and Recreation
Panelists
Dan Goor (Writer, Executive Producer)
Joe Mande (Writer)
Amy Poehler (Star, Writer, Producer)
Michael Schur (Co-creator, Executive Producer, Show-runner)

Jim Rash is an Academy Award® winning writer, as well as an acclaimed actor and director. In 2012, Rash won an Oscar® for Best Adapted Screenplay for THE DESCENDANTS, which he co-wrote alongside Alexander Payne and writing partner Nat Faxon. Next up for Rash is the Fox Searchlight film, THE WAY, WAY BACK, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Joining his writing partner, Nat Faxon, Rash co-wrote, co-directed and stars in the film which is set for limited release on July 5th, 2013. 

In addition, Rash is currently writing with Faxon on an untitled action comedy for Indian Paintbrush featuring Kristen Wiig. Beyond his work in film, Rash has appeared in a number of noteworthy roles in television. He most recently completed production on season four of NBC’s hit comedy series, Community, where he plays the cross-dressing educator, “Dean Pelton”. 

The series has just been renewed for a 5th season. In addition, Rash has been seen in recurring roles on Reno 911!, That 70’s Show, and Help Me Help You. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Rash graduated from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in radio, television and motion picture arts.

THE WRITERS’ ROOM joins Sundance Channel’s impressive slate of offerings including hit docu-series PUSH GIRLS, Jane Campion’s critically acclaimed mini-series TOP OF THE LAKE, and the network’s latest addition and first wholly owned scripted series, the critically lauded RECTIFY.

Relativity Television will produce THE WRITERS’ ROOM with its CEO Tom Forman and EVP Brad Bishop serving as Executive Producers along with Neal Kendall (“Tavis Smiley”). Marco Bresaz will executive produce for Sundance Channel.

Join in the WRITERS’ ROOM conversation on Twitter using #writersroom.