Paul Simms

Paul Simms
Born
1966 (age 58–59)
Occupation(s)Television writer and producer

Paul Simms (born 1966) is an American television writer and producer. He is known for creating NewsRadio and contributing to The Larry Sanders Show, Flight of the Conchords and Atlanta.

Early life and career

Simms spent much of his childhood living abroad in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia where his parents were school teachers. He later returned to the United States and graduated from Harvard University where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and was a part-time student security guard, often during the night shift. After graduating, he worked for Spy magazine from 1988 to 1990.[1]

Television

He began his career in television writing for Late Night with David Letterman in 1990. Simms later wrote for the HBO program The Larry Sanders Show. He was the creator and head writer for the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, a workplace comedy. More recently, he has directed and produced the HBO series Flight of the Conchords and the FX series Atlanta.[2] He has contributed pieces to The New Yorker and also wrote a sitcom pilot, Beach Lane, starring Matthew Broderick, for executive producer Lorne Michaels.[3] His production company is 343 Incorporated. In 2017, he signed a deal with FX.[4]

Filmography

Year Title Role
1990–1992 Late Night with David Letterman Writer
1992–1994 The Larry Sanders Show Writer, executive producer, executive story editor
1995–1999 NewsRadio Creator, writer, executive producer
2007–2009 Flight of the Conchords Writer, consulting producer, director
2009 Wainy Days Writer, director
2009 Bored to Death Consultant producer
2010 Boardwalk Empire Writer
2014 Short Poppies Consulting producer
2014–2015 Girls Writer, co-executive producer/executive producer
2016–2022 Atlanta Executive producer
2016 Divorce Writer, executive producer
2019–present What We Do in the Shadows Writer, executive producer
2024 English Teacher Executive producer

Bibliography

  • Simms, Paul (March 11, 2013). "Crafting Projects for Sociopaths". The New Yorker. Vol. 89, no. 4. pp. 28–29.
  • Simms, Paul (December 9, 2013). "The Hothead's Guide to Herbal Supplements". The New Yorker. Vol. 89, no. 40. p. 40. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  • Simms, Paul (September 14, 2015). "Eight Short Science-Fiction Stories". The New Yorker. Vol. 91, no. 27. p. 50. Retrieved April 16, 2020.

References

  1. ^ Meisler, Andy (April 9, 1995). "A Precocious Sitcom Freshman". New York Times.
  2. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 12, 2017). "'Atlanta' Executive Producer Paul Simms Inks Overall Deal With FX Productions". Variety.
  3. ^ Andreeva, Nellie. "Matthew Broderick takes TV role". The Hollywood Reporter. February 1, 2010. Retrieved on February 19, 2010.
  4. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (July 12, 2017). "'Atlanta' Executive Producer Paul Simms Inks Overall Deal With FX Productions". Variety. Retrieved December 27, 2020.