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The One with Mike Schur

Episode - 537

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February 15, 2022 Scriptnotes, Transcribed

John invites writer/creator Michael Schur (The Office, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place) to discuss the history of comedy, specifically the evolution of the half hour sitcom.

We also cover moral philosophy, working with experts, and coming up with new projects. Mike explains why ‘inside-out’ ideas tend to be more successful shows.

In our bonus segment for premium members John asks Mike about writers room jargon.

Links:

* [Michael Schur](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1321658/) on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/KenTremendous)
* [How to be Perfect by Michael Schur](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Be-Perfect/Michael-Schur/9781982159313)
* [Todd May](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_May), academic papers [here](https://philpeople.org/profiles/todd-g-may), books [here](https://bookshop.org/contributors/todd-may)
* [The Poscast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-few-more-words/id757346885) by Joe Posnanski and Mike Schur
* [TV Writers Room Terms](https://thescriptlab.com/features/screenwriting-101/8890-13-tv-writers-room-terms-you-should-know/)
* [Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt!](https://cottonbureau.com/people/scriptnotes-podcast)
* [Gift a Scriptnotes Subscription](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/gifts) or [treat yourself to a premium subscription!](https://scriptnotes.supportingcast.fm/)
* [Craig Mazin](https://twitter.com/clmazin) on Twitter
* [John August](https://twitter.com/johnaugust) on Twitter
* [John on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/johnaugust/?hl=en)
* [Outro](http://johnaugust.com/2013/scriptnotes-the-outros) by Nico Mansy ([send us yours!](http://johnaugust.com/2014/outros-needed))
* Scriptnotes is produced by [Megana Rao](https://twitter.com/MeganaRao) and edited by [Matthew Chilelli](https://twitter.com/machelli).

Email us at ask@johnaugust.com

You can download the episode [here](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/537standard.mp3).

**UPDATE 8-1-22** The transcript can now be found [here](https://johnaugust.com/2022/scriptnotes-episode-537-the-one-with-mike-schur-transcript).

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