Paul Simms (born 1966) is an American television writer and producer. He is known for creating NewsRadio and contributing to The Larry Sanders Show, Flight of the Conchords and Atlanta.
Paul Simms | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1966 (age 57–58) |
| Occupation(s) | Television writer and producer |
Early life and career
editSimms spent much of his childhood living abroad in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia where his parents were school teachers. He later returned to the United States and graduated from Harvard University where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and was a part-time student security guard, often during the night shift. After graduating, he worked for Spy magazine from 1988 to 1990.[1]
Television
editHe began his career in television writing for Late Night with David Letterman in 1990. Simms later wrote for the HBO program The Larry Sanders Show. He was the creator and head writer for the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, a workplace comedy. More recently, he has directed and produced the HBO series Flight of the Conchords and the FX series Atlanta.[2] He has contributed pieces to The New Yorker and also wrote a sitcom pilot, Beach Lane, starring Matthew Broderick, for executive producer Lorne Michaels.[3] His production company is 343 Incorporated. In 2017, he signed a deal with FX.[4]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–1992 | Late Night with David Letterman | Writer |
| 1992–1994 | The Larry Sanders Show | Writer, executive producer, executive story editor |
| 1995–1999 | NewsRadio | Creator, writer, executive producer |
| 2007–2009 | Flight of the Conchords | Writer, consulting producer, director |
| 2009 | Wainy Days | Writer, director |
| 2009 | Bored to Death | Consultant producer |
| 2010 | Boardwalk Empire | Writer |
| 2014 | Short Poppies | Consulting producer |
| 2014–2015 | Girls | Writer, co-executive producer/executive producer |
| 2016–2022 | Atlanta | Executive producer |
| 2016 | Divorce | Writer, executive producer |
| 2019–present | What We Do in the Shadows | Writer, executive producer |
| 2024 | English Teacher | Executive producer |
Bibliography
edit- Simms, Paul (March 11, 2013). "Crafting Projects for Sociopaths". The New Yorker. Vol. 89, no. 4. pp. 28–29.
- Simms, Paul (December 9, 2013). "The Hothead's Guide to Herbal Supplements". The New Yorker. Vol. 89, no. 40. p. 40. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
- Simms, Paul (September 14, 2015). "Eight Short Science-Fiction Stories". The New Yorker. Vol. 91, no. 27. p. 50. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
References
edit- ^ Meisler, Andy (April 9, 1995). "A Precocious Sitcom Freshman". New York Times.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 12, 2017). "'Atlanta' Executive Producer Paul Simms Inks Overall Deal With FX Productions". Variety.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Matthew Broderick takes TV role". The Hollywood Reporter. February 1, 2010. Retrieved on February 19, 2010.
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 12, 2017). "'Atlanta' Executive Producer Paul Simms Inks Overall Deal With FX Productions". Variety. Retrieved December 27, 2020.