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Hamilton College — Alumni Review, Spring 2007

First Writing Job: I worked part-time in my father’s
law firm, actually working as little as I could so I could write. I did
10 scripts in two years. Eventually I moved to LA and got my first job
as a staff writer on Clarissa Explains It All [1991] and then Weird Science and The Naked Truth. [After that came five years as a producer and writer for the animated sitcom King of the Hill, for which he earned his first Emmy, and writing/producing roles with The Drew Carey Show, The Bernie Mac Show and Greg the Bunny.]

Current Project: I’ve been with The Office
[NBC] since the beginning [2005] as co-executive producer and writer.
This is also the first time I’ve done any acting [as human resources
director Toby Flenderson].

Best Part of Your Job:
When we are in pre-production, this is the best job in the world.
Working 10 to 7, sitting around and brainstorming with the other
writers, making things funnier and writing and rewriting scenes —
that’s as fun as it gets. Adding acting on top of all that makes for
incredibly long, grueling days, sometimes 6 to midnight. But acting has
its own rewards. Comedy becomes intensified in short scenes. Doing a
scene with Steve Carell, trying to keep up with him, is as tough and
fun and weird as any part of the process.