Showrunner Sessions is our ongoing event series where we go one-on-one with a showrunner (or showrunning team) to find out, “What exactly does a showrunner do?” Find out what they look for in a writing staff, the lessons they’ve learned on the job, and their approaches to running the writers’ room.
For this session, we learn from John Hoffman, the co-creator and showrunner of Hulu Original comedy Only Murders In The Building. He’ll chat with fellow writer/producer Alexa Junge (Grace and Frankie, Friends) about his journey to the showrunner chair, how he runs his writers room, and his advice for writing comedies.
Panel starts at 5:00pm Pacific time.
After signing up, you’ll receive information on how to access the Zoom panel.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at events@wgfoundation.org.
about the panelist
Photo credit: David Muller
John Hoffman is a five-time Emmy nominee and the Co-Creator and Showrunner of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING – a Hulu Original series, starring Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. In total, the show has garnered 4 Emmy Awards, 12 Golden Globe nominations, 3 PGA nominations, 4 WGA nominations, 7 SAG nominations, 7 Critics Choice Award nominations, a Peabody Award nomination, as well as the AFI Award for TV Program of the Year in 2024.
Previously, Hoffman served as Executive Producer, Writer and Director for six seasons of GRACE & FRANKIE, starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, on Netflix. Before that, he was Co-Executive Producer and Writer for the acclaimed HBO series, LOOKING, starring Jonathan Groff and Russell Tovey. He was Emmy-nominated for his writing work on the 2009 Academy Awards, and also wrote for the 2020 Oscars. Furthermore, Hoffman has developed for ABC, NBC, FOX and SHOWTIME, as well as three pilots for HBO.
For his first film, NORTHERN LIGHTS, Hoffman co-wrote (based on his original play), produced and co-starred with Diane Keaton. He then went on to make his writing-directing feature debut with the successful MGM/Jim Henson Studios family film, GOOD BOY.
As an actor, Hoffman made his Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated WELL by Lisa Kron. His TV credits include HBO’s THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW, NBC’s CAROL & COMPANY, as well as series regular roles on Fox’s FORTUNE HUNTER and, most infamously, as the Mad Hatter in 100 episodes of the Disney Channel musical series ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Ohio, Hoffman graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Hofstra University.