Laughing through the Writer's Room: Tom Leopold's Journey in TV Comedy

Join Dian Griesel as she interviews renowned comedy writer Tom Leopold, who has crafted laughs for iconic shows such as Will & Grace, Cheers, Seinfeld, and many more. Tom shares behind-the-scenes stories about his illustrious career, the creative process in the writer's room, and his journey from aspiring actor to seasoned writer. He delves into memorable moments, including the unique challenges and rewards of writing for long-running sitcoms, working with legendary actors, and the collaborative vibe that goes into making a hit show. Tom also talks about his new projects, including his one-man show 'Too Hip to be Famous: The Tom Leopold Story', and reflects on the state of comedy today. Don't miss this entertaining and insightful episode filled with laughter and storytelling from one of TV's comedic masterminds.

You can learn more about Tom here: https://redbrickagency.com/tom-leopold/

Please SUBSCRIBE! I’m Dian Griesel, Ph.D. aka @SilverDisobedience to my hundreds of thousands of monthly blog readers. You can learn more about me here:   ⁠https://diangriesel.com⁠

But for starters…I am a perception analyst, counselor, hypnotherapist, author of 16 books and a Wilhelmina model. For 30 years I have helped my clients to achieve greater understanding as to how perceptions impact everything we do whether personally or professionally.

This episode was recorded in collaboration with The Manhattan Center, New York City, New York. https://www.themanhattancenter.com/

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Show Run:

00:00  Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:10  Tom Leopold's Unbelievable Scene

03:38  Inside the Writer's Room

06:02  Writing for Iconic Characters

09:28  The Challenges of Writing Comedy

15:40  The Collaborative Writing Process

22:01  The Reality of TV Writing

27:14  The Dynamics of Comedy Writing

28:07  The Importance of Instant Feedback

29:31  A Story About Creativity

33:34  The Value of Real-Life Experiences

38:42  Breaking into the Industry

43:03  Big Break with Chevy Chase

49:28  Reflections on Comedy and Career

50:59  Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Projects