Shows / Happier in Hollywood
Happier in Hollywood
Veteran TV writers Liz Craft and Sarah Fain demystify Hollywood by making career and personal struggles universal. Friends since high school and writing partners for over 20 years, Liz and Sarah have survived and thrived in Tinseltown’s male-dominated entertainment industry, guided by blind optimism and a Midwestern work ethic. Along the way they've learned a lot about kicking ass, kissing ass, and office yoga. Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
Episodes
Happier in HollywoodEp. 320: Liz & Sarah’s “Before I Die” Pitch
In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah share their CBS pitch “Before I Die,” about three older women solving crimes in Miami. Then they talk about the notes…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 319: A Hollywood Dream Come True!
Liz and Sarah talk to TV writer Nadia Abass-Madden about how she switched careers from being a real life 911 operator to writing for FOX’s hit show 9-1-1. It’s…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 318: Liz & Sarah’s Most “Hollywood” Hollywood Moments
In this Special Episode, Liz and Sarah share some of their most “Hollywood” Hollywood moments, from getting yelled at by famous actors to spotting A-list stars…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 317: Being A Number Two
Liz and Sarah talk to one of their best friends, Karine Rosenthal, about what it means to be a Number Two on a TV show. What are the duties? How does she get…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 316: Novel Progress & You Do You Picketing
Liz and Sarah have officially started writing their novel, and they’re gaining momentum. They have the first forty pages! Yes, it needs rewriting but they love…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 315: “Working” With Director Caroline Suh
Liz and Sarah talk to director (and one of Liz’s best friends) Caroline Suh about “Working: What We Do All Day,” the gripping new documentary series she made…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 314: RIP FI & Strike Silver Linings
Liz and Sarah discuss that sad news that Fantasy Island has been canceled. Why do they think it happened and how are they feeling about it? Then they reveal…
Happier in HollywoodEP. 313: WGA Strike Talk With Negotiating Committee Member Nicole Yorkin
Liz and Sarah discuss the WGA strike with their friend Nicole Yorkin, who is a member of the WGA Negotiating Committee. Why do writers view this moment in the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 312: Spring Listener Questions Episode: Part Two
Liz and Sarah answer more fantastic listener questions! Do they ever pay podcast guests? Why are television seasons fewer episodes than they used to be? How…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 311: Spring Listener Questions: Part One
Liz and Sarah are answering listener questions! Is Sarah still a vegan? What five things are they both hoping to accomplish before they retire? How do actors…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 310: Our New Development Motto: Premium Buttered Popcorn
Liz and Sarah talk about the inspiration for their new team development motto — Premium Buttered Popcorn. In Take A Hike, they ask listeners to weigh in on…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 309: Finding The Words With Colin Campbell
Liz and Sarah discuss the mental gymnastics of going down two possible roads at once as they try to prepare themselves for a possible WGA strike. Yes, they’re…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 308: The Frustration Of Free Work & Why We Decided To Just Start
Liz and Sarah discuss a topic that’s on their minds and the minds of so many TV writers — the frustration of free work. What can writers do to combat this…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 307: Oh, What The Hell!
As the TV business continues to rapidly evolve, Liz and Sarah have decided to embrace an “oh, what the hell” attitude when it comes to development. If they…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 306: No Now Doesn’t Mean No Forever
Liz and Sarah talk about how a recent conversation about a former development project reminded them that “no now doesn’t mean no forever.” In Take A Hike, Liz…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 305: Our Essential Tools & Put A Number On It
Liz and Sarah share what tools they consider essential for their job as TV writers. On the list? Final Draft, Google Docs, dry erase board tiles, the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 304: Liz Vows To Be Positive (No Matter What)
Liz tells Sarah she realized that she’s been going on endless rants about the state of TV writers in Hollywood — and she’s vowing to stop! From now on, Liz is…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 303: Why We Should All HUSSLUP
Liz and Sarah talk to H Schuster about her plan to democratize and diversify access to the entertainment industry. The mission of H’s new company HUSSLUP is to…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 302: First Draft Difficulty & Setting Aside Worry
Liz and Sarah are deep into the first draft of the pilot they’re writing — and discovering all over again how hard it is to write a pilot. Creating something…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 301: The Thrill (& And Terror) Of Being In Control
As Liz and Sarah continue to work on the novel they plan to write, they realize that for once they’re in total control of their fate. That’s exciting — but…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 300: Celebrating 300 Episodes!
Liz and Sarah celebrate the 300th episode of Happier In Hollywood! What are some of listeners’ favorite moments of the podcast? Volunteers not recruits. Get to…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 299: The Excellence Of An Espresso Martini
Liz and Sarah share an email from a listener that outlines the differences between writing a mystery and a thriller. One key takeaway? Curiosity fuels a…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 298: Liz & Sarah’s 20th Anniversary Trip (Finally!)
Liz and Sarah are finally celebrating their 20th anniversary of being a writing team with a Caribbean cruise on the Regal Princess. Yes, they’re working…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 297: The Challenge Of Setting Our Own Deadlines
Liz and Sarah are setting their own deadlines on a current project - and that can be a challenge for these two Obligers. How will they manage to stay on track?…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 296: Back To Work & Behind The Scenes
Liz and Sarah discuss what makes them feel like they’re back to work after a long break. For Liz, it’s getting on her treadmill desk. For Sarah, it’s setting…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 295: What Barbara Walters Meant To Us & New Year’s Resolutions
Liz and Sarah pay tribute to the legendary Barbara Walters, whose career was an inspiration to both of them. Then they reveal their 2023 New Year’s…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 294: Liz & Sarah’s Team Motto 2023!
Liz and Sarah reveal (and explain) their Team Motto for 2023 — “Alt Ending Thelma & Louise!” They’re anticipating a difficult year but they’re in it together…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 293: They Got Dressed Up And Went!
Recently, Liz and Sarah talked about how they were “all dressed up with no place to go” when a pitch meeting was cancelled last minute. Well, they got dressed…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 292: The Perpetual Waiting Game
As Liz and Sarah wait for news of a Season Three pickup of Fantasy Island, they discuss how in Hollywood there’s ALWAYS a wait. In HIH WFH (Happier In…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 291: All Dressed Up & Freudenfraude
Liz and Sarah discuss how they were all psyched up for a pitch meeting — and then it didn’t happen. The only consolation? Liz hadn’t paid for a blow out. In…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 290: The Note We Get And Give
As Sarah and Liz hone a new pitch they realize that the note they often get is the same one that they always give — MORE EMOTION. In Take A Hike, Sarah talks…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 289: The 2022 Thanksgiving Episode!
Liz and Sarah discuss what they’re grateful for— Sarah’s Ojai life is looking up, Liz has taken charge of her health, and their Fantasy Island cast is… well, a…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 288: Hurry Up And Wait!
Liz and Sarah talk about how often they rush to meet a deadline — and then realize there was no rush at all. Then, in Take A Hike, they discuss how the…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 287: Liz & Sarah’s 2022 Gift Guide!
This week Liz and Sarah share their favorite holiday gift ideas for 2022 — cute AirPod cases, the Fermob Balad Lamp, the Click and Grow Smart Garden, a…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 286: The War Of Attrition (And Lessons From Leslie Jordan)
Liz and Sarah mention “the war of attrition that is life in Los Angeles” every week in the Happier In Hollywood opener. This week they discuss why combating…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 285: Talking Transparency
After a recent meeting, Liz and Sarah discuss the concept of transparency. How much is too much? And when do you know if it’s safe to be transparent at work?…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 284: Reframing Work “Politics” As Work “Diplomacy”
Liz and Sarah discuss their recent realization that they should reframe work “politics” as work “diplomacy.” In Take A Hike, they share insight from a member…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 283: Fantasy Island Composer Genevieve Vincent Sings The Theme Song!
Liz and Sarah discuss why sharing their expertise helped them hone in on their strengths and weaknesses as Showrunners. Then — do you love the Fantasy Island…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 282: Picking A Team Talisman & Wearing Comfortable Shoes
Liz and Sarah are back in work mode, and they went on an overnight retreat at the Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai to brainstorm in person. The result? A hugely…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 281: Clearing The White Board & Sarah Does Hypnotherapy
Vacation is officially over. Sarah and Liz are clearing their white boards and diving into a new project (or maybe two) while they wait for Fantasy Island…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 280: What Should We Be Doing Right Now?
Liz and Sarah discuss what they should be doing during their downtime. Coming up with TV show ideas? Writing a novel? Working on a new podcast? Or maybe…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 279: The Writers’ Room Survival Guide with Niceole Levy
Liz and Sarah talk to TV writer Niceole Levy about her fantastic new book, The Writers’ Room Survival Guide. Practical tips about topics like what to do before…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 278: Stepping OFF The Treadmill Desk & A Call With Our Manager Dianne Fraser
Stepping OFF The Treadmill Desk & A Call With Our Manager Dianne Fraser Liz and Sarah discuss the anxiety of stepping OFF the treadmill desk during their…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 277: Another Summer Listener Questions Episode!
Liz and Sarah received so many great questions from listeners that they decided to devote another episode to answering them. What does Liz have to say about…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 276: Summer Listener Questions!
Liz and Sarah answer listener questions! Is being a showrunner what they expected? How do they come up with fantasies for Fantasy Island? Has Sarah ever…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 275: Air Dancers & Bel-Air’s Rasheed Newson
This week, Liz and Sarah reveal what they’ve learned about themselves when they’re not buried in work. Then they talk with showrunner and author Rasheed Newson…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 274: Being Mindful Of STUFF — Stress, Time, Uncertainty, Fear, & Fatigue
Liz and Sarah share some key takeaways from the excellent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging training they recently attended, including how their…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 273: Bad Sisters & How To Deal With “Crazy”
Liz and Sarah discuss the upcoming Apple TV+ show, Bad Sisters. They developed the same show (based on a Flemish series) twice for ABC, but it (rightly) never…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 272: From Book To Screen and Writer Friends!
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of spending time with their TV writer friends! Then, in Amplify, Liz and Sarah recommend fellow showrunner and…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 271: Passing Off Worry & Big Bullseyes Vs. Small Bullseyes
This week, Liz and Sarah are passing off their worry to the experts! They share how trusting your team can take the weight off. Then—one, two, three—in Take A…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 270: How To Write A Novel With Author Lian Dolan
This week, Liz and Sarah have an update on their company, Fun Job Productions—after two years, did they decide to keep their fiction podcast company going?…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 269: A Reality Check & The Writing Process
This week, Liz and Sarah have a reality check for aspiring TV writers. From making less money to doing free work, the business has gotten even more brutal…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 268: Vacation Vibes & Email Etiquette
Even though Liz and Sarah are still in the middle of post production for Season 2 of Fantasy Island, they discuss how they feel like they’re on vacation! In…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 267: That’s A Wrap!
Liz and Sarah celebrate wrapping production on Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the Season Two “production curse” and how knowing even The Godfather…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 266: Spring Listener Questions: Part 2!
It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 2! What do Liz and Sarah wish they knew about life—and Hollywood—when they graduated high school? Did they ever…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 265: Spring Listener Questions: Part 1!
It’s time for Spring Listener Questions: Part 1! Besides the writing, what parts of showrunning do Liz and Sarah particularly enjoy? Why do TV shows today show…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 264: YAGNI—You Ain’t Gonna Need It!
Liz and Sarah have a new strategy: You Ain’t Gonna Need It! YAGNI—a tip from a listener—is helping Liz and Sarah think about work differently. One example? Not…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 263: Euphoric Relief & The Queens of Cutting
Liz and Sarah have—knock on wood—finished writing Season Two of Fantasy Island! They discuss the euphoria they felt after turning in the last Studio/Network…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 262: Big News, Room Lingo, & Loops
Liz and Sarah have news—the Big Summer Fun of Fantasy Island is now Big Fall (Or Winter) Fun on FOX! They discuss getting the call and what the move to…
Happier in HollywoodEp. 261: Senioritis & Sleeping While Stressed
This week, Liz and Sarah discuss wrapping the Writers’ Room for Season Two of Fantasy Island! Now they have Senioritis, but there’s still so much to do... They…