THR Full Drama Showrunner Roundtable: Ryan Murphy, Ava DuVernay, Jenji Kohan, Lisa Joy & More!

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This season's FULL 2017 Drama Showrunner Roundtable features Ava DuVernay ('Queen Sugar'), Ryan Murphy ('Feud: Bette and Joan'/American Horror Story: Roanoke'), Noah Hawley ('Fargo'/'Legion'), Lisa Joy ('Westworld'), Jenji Kohan ('Orange is the New Black') and David E. Kelly ('Big Little Lies').
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[@ericastreet6589]

These roundtables are so satisfying.

[@JennHayden]

No one will know how much I appreciate these roundtables. I'm just a fan of movies/tv. Never had any aspirations to be a singer, actor, etc. I guess simply growing up in nyc, you naturally enjoy all thing entertainment. With that being said, my friends have no clue why I love behind the scenes stuff, inside the actors studio, etc. Or why I read the credits to see who the set designer is or who was the executive producer. I just enjoy the full picture. Movies/tv/plays are more than just the lead actor. These roundtables prove that which is why I love them.

[@HeyJoEllen]

Jennifer J I'm from so.cal and you're not alone and as I get older more of my desires are being uncovered. Production/Director is in my very near future. I'm just now discovering this at the age of 28. And I'm excited about it. I used to watch movie trailers on apple.com. it was so satisfying. Lol.

[@blibloblup3197]

Me too I love all things making of/ behind the scenes, it's so interesting! Those roundtables are the best, variety actors on actors are good too. You learn so much watching these.

[@zinseng]

Where do you find episodes of 'inside the actors studio'? I can only find a handful available online, it's really disappointing. I wish Netflix DVD would offer them or something.

[@ItsBritneyBitch1]

OMG this is exactly how I feel!

[@WordWoman111]

I feel the same way. I'm a film/tv nerd. I love behind the scenes stuff, who worked on what fascinating. NY girl here.

[@acdcbrody]

Seeing Ava on anything makes me happy. She's so so talented, such a great story teller. Activist, and wife goals x1000000.

[@kerrajohnson3203]

Ava is stunning.

[@sandcastlecollapsing]

Not only stunning but regal.

[@tomasandrew9354]

Absolutely agree. Stunning and brilliant.

[@WillGM22]

No one gives Jenji Kohan enough credit for being such a talented writer!!

[@bobbypendragon7375]

These was a particularly good one. You can sense the vibe is different since they're all, in effect, leaders. They listen to each other, never talk over each other, bounce off each other's ideas. Sometimes with the actors they'll sort of perform or over-express their communicating. It's an interesting difference.

[@michellediane4638]

Bobby Pendragon love your comments fmnb.

[@rooooooki6532]

ryan created like a cult around him, so many actors in his shows get a chance to play totally different roles year by year. he created some of the best characters on tv in last decade. still my heart stays with ally mcbeal, one of the most creative shows i ve seen.

[@paytonamaur]

Damn. I have never seen Queen Sugar, but if a scene with no dialogue or contexts (that I know) can make me feel so emotional it must be a great show 15:24

[@Lil08103]

Payton Schachtell it's a fantastic show. the cinematography is beautiful. the depth of the characters is refreshing. some friends have said it moves slowly early in the first season, but the episodes move like a movie which i think takes folks by surprise

[@paytonamaur]

Sounds very intriguing. I am going to have to add it to my list.

[@1muzikmania]

Do yourself a favor and watch! 👌🏾

[@Awiggins64]

Payton Flores. It's a great one. Enjoy sir.

[@brandyspain7125]

It's amazing!

[@AJ-cq5pw]

Cant stop staring at Ava DuVernay. She's so beautiful!

[@Awiggins64]

Aliyah Jordan she's just goddess. I agree wholeheartedly. I just wish I could call her and tell her....respectfully.

[@ScholarNoire]

Ava Duvernay is so regal and her talent is overwhelming. If you haven't seen the cinematic quality of Queen Sugar, please do so. Sadly, Queen Sugar did not receive an Emmy nomination -- but I'm all right with waiting. She'll get her due eventually, perhaps with A Wrinkle in Time as the catalyst.

[@brycejohnson4371]

Scholar Noire She's up for her "13th" doc so that's good

[@ScholarNoire]

let's keep our fingers crossed

[@Mac62671]

"Regal". Great word to describe her. I was thinking to myself 'Look at that woman sitting there like the Queen that she is' during her moments.

[@maiaknezevic8102]

Jenji Kohan is such a creative genius because of her work on Orange is the New Black!!!!!!

[@NothingNotable]

These round tables are so insightful for aspiring artists

[@Ella.L.]

Or for anyone, really.

[@VALRECKLESS]

Ava and Ryan are ICONS. Brilliant!!!

[@markw993]

I think Lacy Rose is doing a great job on all these roundtables :)

[@Supernaturlisch]

STOKED FOR LISA JOY! Westworld rocked my whole goddamn world.

[@Explorer_ana]

Ryan Murphy is the best!!! He got to know himself so well!!!

[@lasilasinali3145]

I know it's a "drama" round table, but damn...did everybody have to look so dour? Kelley looks like he's at a funeral. LOL

[@JennHayden]

I see Ava, Jenji, and Ryan's face? I click.

[@corbinlopez650]

she needs to host all the roundtables

[@shpei88]

I love to listen to creative people. What a great roundtable.

[@tecknickolor]

I truly enjoy the interviewer throughout these round tables.

[@rossano1995]

The talent sitting aroud this table is amazing... So glad I get to learn something from these masterminds.

[@loxjvh]

Noah Hawley looks like a cross between Tim Burton and Simon Pegg

[@k-wu]

I wish Lisa Joy spoke more.

[@MrMichealdrew]

holy hell.... ava duvernay is fine! Good lord. ive always just been aware of her film making skills and success, i had no idea she was this fine.

[@leandrod.martins1437]

im so mad no one laughed at 15:08 lmao they all so serious

[@Fuzinz]

Even though all of the people in this table are so talented and have very valuable opinions, i think that Ava Duvernay and Ryan Murphy are the real standouts, such loving and creative persons they are my goals.

[@deantebuckley6780]

Why wasn't Shonda Rhimes a part of this?!

[@josephmorales652]

Deante Buckley that's a good question. I know they had her on a another one for showrunners

[@WordWoman111]

She was on another showrunner episode.

[@kimberlysayer5113]

She wasn't nominated that year.

[@kimberlysayer5113]

She wasn't nominated for an Emmy that year.

[@myyoutube2251]

Thank you thank you thank you for keeping the same moderator and choosing one that lets people talk and keeps the conversation going.. Please keep her. She is exponentially the strongest moderator out of all of the past ones. Please NEVER have two people moderating again. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@babyshark154]

ava and ryan... yes yes yes

[@viserysi8289]

All that beautiful minds omg

[@udarainc5961]

I came here for Ava and fell in love with Lisa - going to go look her up.

[@Whatshisface92]

I think this may be my favourite roundtable. Just all the personalities meshed so well and the interviewer was so engaged. Lisa joy choosing buffy too, she got a fan for life in me now

[@sombonTV]

These people are all legendary in their own spaces. Like David E Kelley alone, I can't even...this was awesome.

[@michellediane4638]

sombonTV his frequency breathing..

[@SirGeeSantos]

oh my god, lisa joy. what a beautiful talented woman. my eyes are thanking me for looking at her.

[@ExireHG]

I'm too busy to even watch television anymore, but I love writing. So it's still very interesting for me to see different viewpoints on being a creative person, even if I will never end up watching these shows.

[@DonSantinoAndolini]

Now I know why Fargo is so dope. Noah Hawley knows his shit

[@john1107]

Let's be honest. The real star of this show is Lacey, the host. I love the way she comes for her guests. It brings them down a notch to a human level considering their status/position in society as celebrities.

[@MuhammadUzair-hh5vj]

Bryan fuller should've been in this interview😭😭 he's also an amazing writer, he's the writer and creator of Hannibal and American gods😍🤩 not to mention he also created pushing daisies with Lisa joy 🔥

[@dimaltabuni4002]

Ava 😍

[@BigZ7337]

Another great round table, thanks.

[@Clouden3]

Yes, Lacey is the best moderator for these roundtables. Need her every time.

[@empe5543]

I wish someone would write series about the life of that interviewer. Can you imagine behind the scenes drama that occurs Roundtable interviews? Wrangling those talents? Politics?

[@KrysiKs]

AVA !!!!!!!!

[@ericdell9206]

Ava eyeing Lisa like a hawk while she was talking lol

[@BiggaTigga]

NEW DRINKING GAME: Take a shot every time someone says "leaning in!"

[@1muzikmania]

"Not Don Lemon" LMFAO

[@shanec9840]

I love his Don Lemon's show. It's like politics meets reality TV.

[@smobworld]

We stan Ava ❤❤❤❤

[@finjibuns]

I wish they did round tables every week. its one of my favourite things to watch online

[@mroctober2978]

LA Law, Picket Fences, The Practice, Chicago Hope, Boston Public, Boston Legal, Mr. Mercedes, married to Michelle Pfeiffer... good to see David E. Kelley finally catching a break :)

[@mengume]

The interviewers favorite word of the day: 'absolutely.' Did somebody count how many times she said that word?

[@artz11]

I thought it was “surrre. Other than that she’s very good.

[@unknownunknown4029]

I know this round table is about more than just Ava but, I LOVE QUEEN SUGAR!!!!!!!!!

[@kerrajohnson3203]

ONE MORE THING: I've never seen or heard of Ryan Murphy before, but I can tell he takes ZERO BS. *Literally NONE.*

[@jojenoze11]

I find the reporter adorable.

[@MrNeosantana]

I think they spoke too much about social and political commentary and not nearly enough about the narrative and directorial styles, their structure choices... Etc. Hawley and Joy were the ones who really spoke about the technical and artistic choices more than others.

[@DanielPala98]

Where's Shonda Rimes?

[@quicksite]

ok, then, where's Vince Gilligan? There are more talented writers/showrunners that could fit at that table, so cool it.

[@MariahBunni]

I love Ava!!!!

[@EdoKwin]

I can't believe Ryan's favorite character is the OA.

[@Largo3point0]

I know it's a "drama" round table, but damn...did everybody have to look so dour? Kelley looks like he's at a funeral. LOL

[@henricallegari8502]

Yesss

[@monikavec]

actually, when I focus and try to take everything from a conversation, I have a resting bitch face. maybe that just shows that they are really absorbed in the views of everyone else, not just listening to answer (plus 80% of the topics weren't much cheerful :D).

[@sidbell2722]

OMG why is jenji drinking from a straw?😂😂

[@Zeitverschwender1986]

'Buffy' - that needs a heads-up!

[@jamiejankovic]

I wish Charlie Brooker was in here :(

[@amypittman7449]

I felt that Ava Duvernay's 'When they see us' was deeply connected to the injustice of Kaleif Browder and the message the Grand Master Flash and Furious Five's song 'It is like a jungle'

[@kathy-annhart2632]

Yasss 🎉❤🧠 Jeopardy! Totally agree 💯👍🏽👍🏽

[@RizaHariati]

Absolutely, absolutely. Sure sure. Absolutely, sure. Sure, absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely.....Duuuude....

[@ericastreet6589]

I would love to see Ava produce an animated show, a la "The Proud Family." Maybe with Marsai Martin from "Black-ish."

[@GVxoxo]

Reporter: How much pressure is there to build an empire? Jenji Kohan: There's a lot.

[@Hazel.Eyed.Gemini]

Ava is Beautiful

[@RoxanneDesforges]

I love the roundtables and have watched many of them. It is exciting to see and hear from more behind-the-scenes people. However, it is unfortunate that conversation didn`t develop as much here as it tends to with the actor roundtables. This felt a lot more like an interview with five other people standing by. They also felt somewhat uncomfortable to me. Granted, they likely don`t know each other very well. It may be worth warming them up to each more in advance.

[@MissyZilla]

This host is awesome, who is she???

[@ivikosakvarelidze2177]

imma be honest, im only here for ryan

[@captainmercy87]

As great as these round tables are, I'm very disappointed that so far The Leftovers has not been represented by anyone. I know it didn't have great ratings but it was an important show and I wish someone would have spoken about their experience working on it.

[@aliceautomatic1074]

would have been great to have damon lindelof in the spot of ryan murphy or vest guy. leftovers doesn't get its due.

[@christopherblue2004]

Ryan Murphy looks like Mike Judge.

[@aurabassett6677]

And his ten shows

[@andr4203]

I LOVE LISA AND AVA THATS IT

[@pedrobarragan746]

Pretty solid selection this time around and diverse. I was here for Noah Hawley, but the others are talented in their own right. I think Westworld is terrible, but it's great to have Lisa Joy since she's a woman of color.

[@ericaallyson]

New drinking game... take a shot every time someone says "...leaning in..."

[@ericaallyson]

Also, I hope Sheryl Sandberg is getting some sort of kick back.

[@Lamonst3r]

I would love Lisa Joy doing a law show!

[@joyful]

take a drink every time someone says 'lean in'

[@pedrobarragan746]

David E. Kelly looks so uncomfortable when discussing Trump, bet you five bucks he voted for him. He also had a very conservative pick for favorite TV character: Archie Bunker.

[@thecompendium9607]

My God there's a lot of good T.V. I need to catch up on.

[@PatchworkSociety]

should be a spoiler warning in some of these, I'd have hated to have the magic of Westworld ruined for me

[@bingewatcherfanatic996]

Ryan Murphy learns alot he says... sure look at season 10 you pppp

[@rebwil5501]

oh my god, had I known they would be using the "lean in" phrase so many times, I would have started a drinking game. Oh brother, trendy buzzwords.

[@sarahholzapfel3510]

Let's be real for a second: The movie scene is dead. There are nearly none new really good movies... If you want quality you have to watch TV shows (like GoT, Vikings, OitnB, etc.).

[@aidilmubarock5394]

Sarah Holzapfel u r just being pretentious

[@Ella.L.]

@JDMime My exact same thoughts; thank you!

[@wolfstar675]

Orange is the new black went to shit after season 4, GOT went downhill after the 5th and for your info there have been excellent films if all you watch are super hero movies then yeah they're terrible.

[@mrsperfectlyfine450]

Buffy!!

[@adrian_hook]

Can people please stop using the phrase "leaning into". Please and thank you

[@Kensweetny]

This panel definitely needed more people of color!

[@wolfstar675]

shirleen Amiani Nah enough with identity politics.

[@MrMarioAnthony]

So they basically took all of Ava's answers and put them in the short clip we already saw months ago? Not cool.

[@abuuzma]

uh huh

[@PaperInky]

Jesus, "lean in" has really taken off. We should lean in to "lean in".

[@bernieclips9003]

Ryan's best shows arent even listed on here..such disrespect from Hollywood reporter.

[@tifflambert7164]

Is it me or were not many questions directed towards Ava? Then, the moment she begins speaking, the presenters loud "YA YA YA" were quite dismissive and silencing. She did this to no one else on the panel! #vexed

[@drb2944]

Ava is so fine

[@Beautyinwverything]

Ryan does a lot of leaning...

[@tdawg1312]

HELLA spoilers

[@michellediane4638]

I don't think eye for an eye, butt ñ so discussion; Discussting , #I love Mac N Cheese.

[@rashida9693]

I wonder if other showrunners/ directors/ writers feel any shame when they get around someone like Ava or Joy who constantly try to create inclusivity and diversity in all aspects of a show/ movie from the story telling, crew members, actors etc. I don't think the men at the table have very diverse teams . After talking to Joy or Ava I wonder if it's something they think about or just move on and do what they want with ppl they already know? How do you create a diverse team if you don't reach out for it specifically and only work with the other white people you already know?

[@shirotakumi2936]

Do you want a diverse team or a competent team who can help you achieve your vision? Diversity doesn't necessarily mean better

[@bramicrol11]

You're neglecting to mention Ryan Murphy. Not only does his content cover a huge range of diverse story lines/themes, he employs actors of all ages, race, etc. and started a 50/50 program where for every one male director, writer, crew member there has to be a female.

[@QueenyKay]

Why do you automatically assume that diversity means incompetence? Rashida's question is valid. These men can have a very diverse competent team working with them. The 2 are not exclusive! Plus, you're talking as if competence is what prevails in Hollywood and not nepotism!

[@kaichen04]

Her question was also prejudicial, assuming a lot of things about these people, when Ryan Murphy, for instance, has done every single thing she has described and, to an extent, so have a lot of these people.

[@3mshaw]

Ryan Murphy says hello.

[@sisino4471]

interesting people actually care about what they say.

[@buhkangliwayway]

Kris Jenner????!!!! She is NOT WORTHY.

[@yagirlafter5084]

I thought Jengi was an Asian man🤦🏾‍♀️