Aaron Sorkin, Matthew Weiner and more Drama Showrunners on THR's Roundtable | Emmys 2014

Aaron Sorkin ("The Newsroom"), Matthew Weiner ("Mad Men"), Vince Gilligan ("Breaking Bad"), Carlton Cuse ("Bates Motel"), Nic Pizzolatto ("True Detective") and Ann Biderman ("Ray Donovan") reveal secrets of the high-pressure position.
Roundtables are back! Tune in Monday, May 16th for the premiere of The Hollywood Reporter’s 2016 Emmy Roundtable season. Subscribe to stay up to date with new Roundtable videos publishing everyday this awards season! Who do you want to see on this season’s Roundtables? Tell us in the comments below!
Stay tuned to everything you need for this season of Roundtables:
www.hollywoodreporter.com/roun...
Subscribe to our channel: / hollywoodreporter
Like us on Facebook: HollywoodRep...
Follow us on Twitter: / thr
Follow us on Instagram: / hollywoodreporter

[@littlegelland]

Sorkin doing an analogy about golf - confesses that he doesn't actually play golf. Gilligan doing an analogy about Rubiks Cube - confesses that he's never actually solved one. That's a writer's job in a nutshell!

[@salfigueiredoribeiro]

Vince Gilligan seems like the nicest guy ever.

[@Graenelolz]

Aaron Sorkin, Matthew Weiner, Vince Gilligan and Nic Pizzolatto in one room, man that's so awesome.

[@c8Lorraine1]

Only need to add Quentin Tarantino

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@c8Lorraine1 And David Chase.

[@itsonlysound]

I love seeing Vince Gilligan in these round table interviews. He always sticks out because he seems like the most relaxed and content one there. He made a great show, made it the way he wanted, and finished it the way he wanted. Fans and critics loved it too. Must be a great feeling.

[@AlexPKeaton72]

Nic Pizzolatto is such a badass. Every time I see him the dude is composed, cool and wearing a fucking leather jacket.

[@theuntold100]

I love how Gilligan looks at the speaker. Clearly has a lot of respect for these people.

[@superjerry3233]

Going back and rewatching this every now and then is so nice. Such excellent writers. Also, it’s funny how Vince was so worried that BCS could’ve potentially failed, and now it’s one of the greatest shows ever!

[@hahaha430]

These two interviewers are the best at these roundtables, they let the guests finish their thoughts and ask great questions. They also seem very interested in what everyone has to say, and encourage conversation. The other interviewers in this series are very smug, especially the movie ones. Hope they get these two to do all the roundtables including the feature ones.

[@oldmoviemusic]

+hahaha430 Totally. Particularly Stacey Wilson, who has the short dark hair. She is such an excellent interviewer - she let's the interview breathe, and let's other expand on other peoples points, rather than always jumping in and making sure that she is always directing and controlling the conversation, which is what that British guy Stephen Galloway does. He can be SO bad at cutting people off right when the momentum of their point is picking up, or when someone else wants to comment he'll change the subject entirely, or he even will often just jump in and start talking over the end of their sentence as they're finishing their point, with an air of 'I know what you're going to say, so I don't need to hear you say it - I'm moving this along', which is SO atrocious for an interviewer! Also, his questions are often long-winded and about him, unlike Ms. Wilson whose questions are insightful yet succinct, and always connect thematically to what was mentioned previous, unlike Galloway who just jumps to whatever he pleases, even if it is totally opposite in theme and mood. I want Stacey Wilson to do ALL the HR roundtables!

[@hahaha430]

+oldmoviemusic I know right. I have been singing praises for her on every roundtable she moderates. I think with Stephen Galloway, the critic and journalist inside him gets in the way too much. He forgets that this isn't an interview but a roundtable, and he isn't supposed to be a reporter, he is supposed to be a moderator ie. not looking for answers but looking for conversation. His articles are a really interesting read so I'm thinking he is just a much better writer than interviewer.

[@hotUOBgeekLOVER]

My man Vince.....smart, intelligent, charming and always with a smile.

[@alexfurnas1263]

Weiner talks a lot but he has a lot to say, and it all adds to the conversation. Gilligan seems like a super chill and affable dude, immediately perks up whenever somebody else says something good. Pizzolatto is an interesting guy, seems more interested in listening since he's newer to the showrunning process. Cuse and Biderman both have some interesting things to say, both experienced professionals even if their shows aren't the greatest. Sorkin talks like his characters, neurotic as fuck lol

[@DRose1NBA]

Nice analysis :)

[@TheCinemaMan777]

vince gilligan looks like lord peter balish's brother.

[@electricnebraska]

I can't even imagine sitting at the table with Sorkin, regardless of personal accolades, and being able to speak. You're in the presence of ROYALTY.

[@ilhandahir7105]

Matthew Weiner and Nic Pizzolatto are exact opposites.

[@AnastaciaMary]

Matthew is envious of Aaron. That's why he jabs at him.

[@DRV110]

How can any who watches tv or film not adore these roundtables. always thoroughly enjoyable and insightful..

[@oldmoviemusic]

Stacey Wilson, who has the short dark hair, is such an excellent interviewer - she let's the interview breathe, and let's other expand on other peoples points, rather than always jumping in and making sure that she is always directing and controlling the conversation, which is what that British guy Stephen Galloway does. He can be SO bad at cutting people off right when the momentum of their point is picking up, or when someone else wants to comment he'll change the subject entirely, or he even will often just jump in and start talking over the end of their sentence as they're finishing their point, with an air of 'I know what you're going to say, so I don't need to hear you say it - I'm moving this along', which is SO atrocious for an interviewer! Also, his questions are often long-winded and about him, unlike Ms. Wilson whose questions are insightful yet succinct, and always connect thematically to what was mentioned previous, unlike Galloway who just jumps to whatever he pleases, even if it is totally opposite in theme and mood. I want Stacey Wilson to do ALL the HR roundtables!

[@Scriptease123]

You should watch her SAG-AFTRA interview with Rami Malek. It's great.

[@Leon-zu1wp]

Vince Gilligan and Aaron Sorkin in the same room feel like world's colliding. They should write a show together, it would only take alot of coffee and chainsmoking.

[@paperchasindude6578]

And a lot of meth

[@Neat0_o]

Vince is a brilliant man.

[@orcatipp]

you can tell this is a great roundtable because one question would sometimes lead to over ten minutes of the writers riffing of each other and even diving deeper into relatable topics

[@smoothcriminal28]

Nic Pizz... Forget about it. What a bad-ass.

[@TheReal7Bit]

Wow Matthew Weiner and Carlton Cuse definitely know what they're talking about, it's great listening to them. Great roundtable.

[@beatc]

holy moly, matthew weiner sure loves to hear himself talk.

[@amercado28]

i know! he was so rude, too. way too many interruptions and way too many "when i was working on the sopranos". it's like... ok, good job buddy. now let other people talk.

[@tomigoi]

Who cares. He's a good talker, best one in this round table at least. I like listening to him. Who do you like? Ann Biderman who's always condescending? Aaron Sorkin who keeps stuttering?

[@amercado28]

Quyen Tran How about Vince Gilligan or Nic Pizzolatto? Geniuses.

[@tomigoi]

They're great. Geniuses indeed. Great minds to write stuff like that.

[@danielclements24]

Isn't that the point. They are all meant to talk

[@ahrustem]

Best roundtable of the year. Such an amazing and honest group of writers.

[@Finians_Mancave]

It's interesting that while Gilligan is from the south (Virginia), he attended college and grad school at NYU and pretty much has worked in Hollywood ever since (30 years?) yet he still has a distinct southern accent. Contrast him with, say, Jennifer Lawrence who's from Kentucky but lost the accent five minutes after she started making films.

[@jamesanthony5681]

An actor will a concerted attempt to lose whatever accent they have. A director wouldn't care.

[@KimTownsel]

I like this one better every time I listen to it. 🤍

[@vickormagno2662]

Great round table, I'd love to see more of these interviews in the future!!! Thanks for making it happen!!!

[@LuqaS15]

Deadwood and the Wire, how not to love Nic?

[@jamesanthony5681]

The Wire? David Simon, no?

[@YasminNotJasmin]

Loved hearing Aaron Sorking talk about his shows and writing process, by far my favourite screen writer! Also, Nic Pizzolatto is so hot.

[@veritas6335]

"Hot?" You've GOT to be kidding. Yechh. I guess there's someone for everyone.

[@premeboii3699]

I love seeing Vince Gilligan in these round table interviews. He always sticks out because he seems like the most relaxed and content one there. He made a great show, made it the way he wanted, and finished it the way he wanted. Fans and critics loved it too. Must be a great feeling.

[@LeelooRedRed]

Great Roundtable discussion. Thank you THR.

[@MrPisster]

Thank you so much for this. I have always had an interest in show business. The showrunner is the modern auteur. I work in a corporate office but I want my management style to be like these people. Creative and inspiring. I also have to answer to big bosses with tight purse strings and high demands. The wisdom they relate resonates outside their industry to help us all perform at a higher level.

[@drewjohnson9285]

THIS WAS AMAZING! PLEASE DO MORE OF THESE!

[@SCUDGEj0ckey]

Wish Nic spoke more. I like hearing him the most.

[@Mazzodude]

Less is more. Me too though haha..

[@watz03]

That table is golden

[@awesome420ication]

nope. Probably Ikea.

[@jacobestes]

Jesus, Pizzolatto just talked the entire time. Wait, no, I just skipped the other parts.

[@prateekgosawi4295]

me too

[@prateekgosawi4295]

me too

[@alexxolo]

He doesn't talk more than the med men guy

[@danielbavolack6763]

Totally engaging. Thank you, all.

[@DRose1NBA]

I would have liked to hear more from Nic. He seems to be such an interesting guy with a great mind. I recently watched another interview of him and was stunned by his perceptions.

[@blackgrlfly]

+DRose1NBA He chose not to talk much. You can join the conversation at any time.

[@Workingartist1]

Love all these writers but was most excited to hear Ann speak.

[@livvw]

I wish David Simon was there.

[@masspplproduct]

It would have been to prefect.

[@nimbustoast]

As great as he is, he probably wouldn't want to be there...

[@reviewcentral8190]

and David Milch

[@chaoticnique9748]

David Chase!

[@clbazar]

Can David Kelly come too?

[@dilfill]

So good!!!

[@awesome420ication]

Damn. Bates Motel and Ray Donovan are clearly a notch below the rest.

[@adriande1]

awesome420ication yeah. Who tf watched Bates Motel? Lol

[@griffc9696]

@@adriande1 i dod and it was great.

[@mrbobclarke]

Really great insights here - such a public service and done with such style - but given the lack of time limitation of the medium (You Tube) surely they could run longer, having made the win of actually getting these guys to agree to give the time. Also, Aaron Sorkin has such a body of work and experiences that he could justify a show of his own...

[@SamuelDaram]

Another magnificent roundtable with drama showrunners. Kudos to The Hollywood Reporter for carrying on with this project. Great to see Ann Biderman, Carlton Cuse and Nic Pizzolatto make their debuts. For 2015, could you please try and get the following showrunners? Noah Hawley ('Fargo'), David. S. Goyer ('Da Vinci's Demons', 'The Forrest'), Ryan Murphy or Brad Falchuk ('American Horror Story', 'Glee'), Bryan Fuller ('Hannibal'), and Joseph Weisberg ('The Americans').

[@tyfighter_23]

Whoever filmed this HATES Vince Gilligan's blazer.

[@rqtvs]

Love the discussion of the problem of the blank page...around 33:00

[@meshzy13]

Good watch for writers.

[@TastyBurgerFilms]

Obviously not the focus of a great video but Matt Weiner's outfit is fantastic

[@LastTruth23]

Good video.

[@rockingbirdey]

Next time get: - Beau Williams - David Benioff or D.B. Weiss - Matthew Weiner - robert or michelle king - nic pizzolato - aaron sorkin - bryan fuller

[@MaxBrilhart]

What about Noah Hawley? Fargo is pretty much flawless so far.

[@paperchasindude6578]

@@MaxBrilhart true

[@spewter]

Five years on, you still want David Benioff and DB Weiss? 🤣

[@nicksvanidze5935]

Great it has been a long time

[@williamwallace7221]

1. OMG Weiner Doesn't Shut The F^&* Up!!! 2. Gilligan is So Humble its Awesome! 3. Nic has a Bright Future.

[@digitalboxemma6734]

Weiner is a genius.. you shut up 🙆

[@vLinko777]

Genuises gets to speak more haha

[@daveclark8337]

4) Turns out Nic was a one-hit wonder.

[@jeffgachihi8225]

Click the vid's time bar a random location...90% chance it's STILL Matthew Weiner talking...

[@solidgold899]

Yeah well he’s also got the best show on here not counting breaking bad.

[@BecksLissy]

Missing Robert and/or Michelle King (The Good Wife). Their work on the show is incredible.

[@kevinw712]

almost 15 minutes into this and poor Nic and Ann, neither have literally gotten to speak a single word yet lol

[@SimVik91]

Nic Pizzolatto has a sort of Hank Moody-thing going on. Cool guy.

[@chicobiabia]

Very upset that Vince didn't speak more

[@vilefiend9603]

nic pizzolatto is jon stewart meets brad pitt with a touch of the creep from ghost.

[@floydsteel1703]

Weiner was tryna flirt with Pizzolatto at the photoshoot

[@issam1398]

i really dream to see rust cohle again

[@orsonwelles4254]

Oh boy

[@shicrapt]

Well, they didn't cut that last part out.

[@bedibye813]

I love these roundtables. The GOT guys, preferably Benioff if only one, and Bryan Fuller should be featured the next time.

[@userka8936]

do you still stand by this opinion?

[@jag5798]

To avoid inevitability, should we not write without a story arc? I write to write and worry about the formula after I am done.

[@PHP_ArtsEntertainment]

glad they didn't kill the characters in True Detective. That show was the BEST!!!

[@pramderooy7037]

I wonder who they are going to get for true detective season 2,because its hard to top the matthew and woody perfomance duo. The only pair who could give them a run for their money is joaquin phoenix and edward norton as a duo.

[@pramderooy7037]

Ok cool

[@SashSashaD]

Where is the Drama Men roundtable??

[@iJETk]

Glasses of water.

[@hermanmelville3871]

It's a shame David Milch wasn't involved.

[@MaxBrilhart]

You're right, but this is all TV series from 2014

[@alenabayti5622]

I thought it is Nolan

[@graxp]

stacey's eyebrows need a show.

[@despairspreadslikeavirus9333]

I love and respect Ann Biderman she's a woman, but doesn't feel like she needs to write like stereotypical women stories. She's first and foremost a writer and she likes grit like most men. She doesn't need to write strong and even vulnerable women for strong women flow naturally out of her work from. Like the tough chicks of Det. Lydia Adams and Lena Barnum to the vulnerable chick of Chickie Brown and Abby Donovan. Her gender doesn't define her tastes and her work.

[@jassandhar9442]

Next year Weiss and Benioff better be present on the roundtable.

[@NA86737]

I honestly don't think they have time GOT is a year round job for them given the production

[@playermartin286]

Jas Sandhar hahahaahhaa

[@Workingartist1]

If they don't ask Ann a question - I'm done!

[@jellyfarm2]

Wow! I just peed in my pants. :P

[@IAteFire]

There's a few characters in here that give the conversation such a bad energy

[@Chasebald]

They make running a show sound awful. I wish they would talk more about why they enjoy it or where they come up with their ideas.

[@issam1398]

the comedy-man on the table is vince and the pycholagical one is nic and then the master-brain and 1000$ mouth is aaron the others i dont know them !

[@MaxBrilhart]

You should get to know Matthew Weiner. He wrote some of the best Sopranos episodes, and created a genius series in Mad Men.

[@digitalboxemma6734]

The woman writter is quite rude

[@Workingartist1]

I am SO DONE!!

[@benkata]

THR have the best Roundtables! LA Times and Variety's versions are just awful.

[@appleridge]

Havent seen LA times. Can U link me? Variety's are too short

[@benkata]

John Seip www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/emmys/roundtables/

[@terencecaron2922]

The Newsroom first season was great but the show became too much about deus ex machina than real believable fiction.

[@afrosymphony8207]

wait where the heck are the guys from GAME OF THRONES!...These shows are great but common,its game of thrones

[@donnieuchiha]

This comment aged like milk

[@andrejbachtin8281]

I love those interviewers. Much better then this British guy.

[@Workingartist1]

The name of the agency is so trite compared to what we have to go through to be produced. This is becoming very dull.

[@massapower]

My Calling #SociallynotDisturbed #cafe #Montréal #Canadian #Italians #vanessa #davidstea #NewYorkCity #Ageisjustanumber

[@tumicoup]

I'm not a fan but i think Shonda shouldve been here for Scandal.

[@leandra5248]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@noodtayne599]

I'm very disappointed that anyone from Ray Donovan is on this roundtable. Really bad show.

[@noodtayne599]

Nicu Drosu Ehhhhhh that's a fucked up thing to say... I just meant Ray Donovan gets a lot of attention and it's terrible television.

[@noodtayne599]

Nicu Drosu "The truth is never fucked up, except for morons that is." -Nicu Drosu. Genius

[@noodtayne599]

Nicu Drosu Good thank you

[@josueamericanistarv]

Are you kidding? And missing the Jon Voight jerking off anecdote? No way sir,

[@PeterTeal77]

Buy some coasters you degenerates

[@NostalgiNorden]

Never heard of Ray Donovan. I guess they really needed a female.

[@NostalgiNorden]

J Ford Yes i am a sexist asshole for not hearing about a tv-show? All the other shows are extremely well known so it feels like they really wanted/needed a female showrunner. Pointing out that fact is not sexist but i guess it is a popular term to miss-use when trying to win an argument whitout having an actual argument.

[@NostalgiNorden]

I think you need to look up the term "sexism". All other shows represented on this segment are known all over the world. Ray Donovan is not. So why choose it? Probably becuse they needed/wanted a female. That's my theory. I did not say that there where something wrong with that. That would arguably be kinda sexist. But i belive there are more well known shows with female showrunners availabe(like Girls) so Ray Donovan is a weird choice. Sorry if you love Ray Donovan. ;)

[@NostalgiNorden]

"Never heard of Ray Donovan. I guess they really needed a female." Specualtion for reason. Nothing else. But i guess you are looking for a fight and like to read in what you like into anything to get it. But i'm sorry to make you dissapointed. This is a troll i'm not gonna feed.

[@thezentrader]

I"m a girl and agree with you. I've never heard of that show either and I"m sure they could have picked someone better...

[@studiompodcastnetwork5119]

Hahaha! my thoughts exactly!

[@minjiflieslikeninja]

Is Stacey Wilson trans? if so, kudos to her!

[@jamesanthony5681]

If so, who cares?

[@MA-dh4bk]

I don't trust people with mustaches sorry.

[@TheKjones91]

Let me put on my sunglasses so I don't get snow blind

[@hansel4150]

Ray Donovan blows. Couldn't they shoe-horn some other chick into the room?

[@NA86737]

they did Matthew Weiner

[@kimbertycmcmahon5250]

The fretful zinc chemically carry because process medicinally jam anenst a feeble feigned key. yummy, vague customer

[@CanadianImperialist]

Nic Pizzolato best writer i n the room. Carlton Cuse fucked everybody over with that botched LOSt last two seasons and the fucking horrible ending.

[@mixedstylesable]

CanadianImperialist I'd say Mad Men is much better written than all of the other shows that are being written by these guys.

[@akky294628]

CanadianImperialist after watching season 2 of true detective i think Vince Gilligan is way better than him

[@CanadianImperialist]

Akash Suryawanshi After watching Better Call Saul its a toss-up, really. True Detective Season 2 was garbage and so is Better Call Saul.

[@Laf92]

+CanadianImperialist better call Saul is a mile better than season 2 of TD

[@zimzimma5688]

+CanadianImperialist Still feel the same after season 2, it was a mess. Vince Gilligan for me

[@Workingartist1]

Why is this woman only speaking to the men?

[@ramanasai6150]

No to be offensive. I am talking out of sympathy as no one seems to talk to u

[@Workingartist1]

Is this boys club? I'm sorry. Why now are they not speaking to these great women writers?

[@kifacorea]

Too many men. I'm a man btw

[@kavitajablonka]

Very homogenous. Blah. Sad.

[@Bak3dB3an]

The mad men director should let the breaking bad director talk, or at least string a sentence together. btw, what filthy and disgusting stories they choose to tell. Use your talents for something good.

[@giffordbecks4905]

Sorkin doing an analogy about golf - confesses that he doesn't actually play golf. Gilligan doing an analogy about Rubiks Cube - confesses that he's never actually solved one. That's a writer's job in a nutshell!