Where are you from and what inspired you to become a television writer?

Growing up in Hampton, VA., there wasn’t a lot to do, but then that’s true everywhere when you’re too young to drink or have a license. My dad started taking me to a local comedy club when I was sixteen and I sought them out ever since. There’s nothing like the tension of live comedy and I was fascinated at how these performers could hold an audience.  Finally, I got the courage to try standup myself and traveled the country performing. But it wasn’t until I took a screenwriting course during my Master’s program that it hit me – if I had a bunch of characters at my disposal, I could crank out way more jokes than just performing solo. Then I started writing scripts for my favorite shows. Being able to play with other people’s characters seemed like stealing, but I was never going to stop.

What Spec did you write to get into the workshop?

Archer

Who is your all-time favorite television character and why?

Sometimes I felt like I was raised on MacGyver and what better role model could there be for a kid? Mac always had a plan, reluctantly accepted the affections of the ladies, and never touched guns (although his propensity for bomb-making would land him on the No-Fly List in a hurry these days).  MacGyver embodied the idea that the “pen is mightier than the sword.” Provided that pen was spring-loaded and there was a paperclip and magnifying lens nearby. No matter what the jam, MacGyver knew there was a way out which is a great lesson to live by. Plus he was probably the coolest guy ever to sport a mullet.