Happier in Hollywood

It’s the 100th episode of Happier in Hollywood! In television land, this would be the holy grail! To celebrate, special guest Gretchen Rubin declutters Liz and Sarah’s office on the Disney lot. Then in Take A Hike, Liz and Sarah (& Gretchen) read (the very few) negative reviews for The Fix and discuss how they deal with public opinion. Finally, this week’s foot-friendly Hollywood Hack is perfect f...

Liz and Sarah talk to Hollywood career coach Carole Kirschner about having a game plan. Her advice? Have it on the stage and on the page! Then in Take Two, they revisit being rewritten — it’s not just a TV writer thing! Lawyers and other professionals experience it, too. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from The Fix writers’ assistant, Laura Snow: widen the net to further your career when you’re f...

It happened! The Fix is on the air! Liz and Sarah discuss how they shook off the nerves of premiere night and enjoyed the moment. Then they discuss the various roles people play in a writers’ room including a Problem-solver, Amplifier, Builder, Analyzer, and more! Liz and Sarah talk to their assistant, Mary, about her upcoming first, big Hollywood meeting. Their advice? Go into the room with confi...

Liz and Sarah share why it’s important to stay on your path — and how they’re staying on their path during an unpredictable time. Then they answer a Mailroom question about how TV ratings are determined. In Take a Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss digital decluttering — unsubscribing from annoying emails and deleting apps. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from TV writer extraordinaire Jane Espenson: wri...

Liz and Sarah talk to business owner and writer Crystal Ellefsen about working from home. Then they answer a Mailroom question about “beauty work” in Hollywood. Then Sarah discusses her recent solo trip to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. This week’s housing Hollywood Hack is affordable and great for making new friends: the Bungalow app! Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal their Kiwami Celebrity sight...

Liz and Sarah talk to Ola Shokunbi about his journey from representing pharmaceutical companies as a lawyer in D.C. to being a staff writer for The Fix. His advice on switching careers? Be all in! Then Sarah shares her airplane hit, and Liz has a post-surgery bomb. This week’s Hollywood Hack is all about self-pampering: invest in a paraffin wax bath. Finally, Mary shares her Big Little Lies Celebr...

Liz and Sarah discuss good (and bad) time management skills— for showrunners, and anyone else in a leadership position. A couple tips: give feedback instead of taking on the work yourself, and have an out time. Then, in Take Two, they revisit Sarah’s zen acceptance of L.A. traffic. This week’s business-savvy Hollywood Hack comes from Mandeville TV’s Director of Development, Lea Cuello: pre-Google...

Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of doing press for their new show The Fix, and their recent Television Critics Association experience. Their advice? Be yourself... and Drybar! Also — know your talking points. Then they answer a listener question about building a social media presence. This week’s Hollywood Hack helps you find your favorite show online: JustWatch! Finally, Liz and Sarah (and M...

Liz and Sarah discuss how they pick their battles when they're running a TV show. Their two most important questions: Is this inevitable? Does this move the needle? Then they call their agent, WME partner Matt Solo, to ask him a question from a listener whose dream is to be an agent herself. This week's Hollywood Hack was inspired by an Eco-friendly gift Sarah received: felted dryer balls. And fin...

Liz and Sarah discuss the pros and cons of having irons in the fire. Their advice? Have three to five GOOD irons in the fire at a time. Then they check in with their assistant Mary to talk about her adventures in stand-up comedy. This week’s Hollywood Hack is meaningful and fun: commission a piece of art. Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal The Fix editor’s restroom Celebrity Sighting: John Mayer! Ozark...

Sparked by a listener question, Liz and Sarah discuss the difference between writing for TV versus movies. One reason they chose to work in television: writers have more control. Then Liz and Sarah talk about why it’s important to have a “why.” In Hits and Bombs, Liz reveals her reading hit (Educated) and Sarah has a gyno bomb. This week’s earth-friendly Hollywood Hack is sweeping the entertainmen...

Liz and Sarah interview The Fix’s Executive Producer/Director Michael Katleman! He explains what it’s like to be an Executive Producer/Director for TV and why being on set makes him happier in Hollywood. His advice to aspiring directors? Get out there and shoot. It’s easier than ever. This week’s Hollywood Hack is earth-friendly AND high tech: Rocketbook Everlast. And finally, Sarah Fain was a Hap...

Liz and Sarah are DONE with the first season of The Fix! They discuss how they’re managing their anxiety before the big premiere on March 18th. Some coping mechanisms: planning for Season Two, focusing on “life stuff,” and a potential trip to the Integratron. After their new segment Take Two, in which Liz and Sarah revisit Personal Symbols, they debate To Do Lists in a spirited L v. S. Finally, Sa...

Liz and Sarah answer all your questions about the entertainment industry in this very special Mailroom episode! What are some qualities of a script they can’t put down? How do they handle all the no’s that come before a yes? What does it mean to break a story? Liz and Sarah dive into all this and more! Links: The Happiness Project Experience: https://courses.gretchenrubin.com/happiness/?ref=8 The...

Liz and Sarah talk to the queen of Costume Design: The Fix’s Allyson Fanger! Allyson shares which actor was the most fun to dress, how to build a character through wardrobe, and tips on how to up your own style game. Then Liz and Sarah discuss their recent Ojai getaway and how a change of scene can help you make a difficult decision. This week’s comfy Hollywood Hack is a must: get a lounge outfit....

Liz and Sarah announce The Fix’s Premiere date! Tune in Monday, March 18th at 10pm! Then Liz and Sarah discuss their New Year’s resolutions for 2019. Liz vows to achieve her goal weight while Sarah wants to focus on progress not perfection. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes from Bob Fisher, co-writer of the hit comedies, Overboard and Wedding Crashers: they don’t remember late, they remember bad. F...

What’s Liz and Sarah’s team theme for 2019? EXPLODE! They reflect on the ways in which they expanded in 2018 and discuss how they’ll explode in 2019, including their goals of hosting a TV writing retreat, getting a Season 2 pickup for The Fix, and producing a fiction podcast. Then they answer a listener question about how to help launch a teenaged aspiring writer. This week’s Hollywood Hack comes...

Sparked by a gift from The Fix actor, Merrin Dungey, Liz has finally discovered her personal symbol: a lightning bolt! Liz and Sarah discuss what personal symbols are and how they inspire people to live up to their full potential. Then they answer a listener question about why Hollywood assistant salaries are so low. This week’s Hollywood Hack is fun and festive: have a work holiday party for your...

What’s one secret to success? Put yourself out there! Liz and Sarah share how they recently put themselves out there — by speaking at a Women in Film Panel — and they’re glad they did! Then they answer a listener question about parenting an aspiring TV writer. Their advice? Back the “F” off... in the kindest way possible. In Hits and Bombs, Sarah shares her no-makeup bomb, and Liz gives a hit to T...

The Holidays are right around the corner! Liz and Sarah discuss holiday business gifts. From tassel key chains, to Sugarfina, to empowering socks, they’ve got suggestions for any budget. (But the big question is... what are they going to get for Marcia Clark!?) Then they talk about turning a negative into a positive after experiencing terrible traffic that eventually led to an impromptu writing pa...

What do you do when you're facing verbal abuse in the workplace? Liz and Sarah answer this listener question and call their friend Nichelle Tramble who experienced this early in her career. Her advice? She walked on out and never looked back. The good news? Nichelle is now a hugely successful TV writer. Then Liz and Sarah talk about the sense of relief they’re feeling now that Season One of The Fi...

Is it possible to break in to Hollywood after age 40? Liz and Sarah say it’s possible... but not easy. Note: Having undeniably great material is the important thing— at any age. Then they talk about why their happy Gratitude Month (November) followed their October Hell Month, and how being grateful can help everyone feel happier and more positive. This week’s Hollywood Hack is inspired by Sarah’s...

Want to make a better impression when you network? Liz and Sarah explore how to improve your conversation skills. Hint: be more interested to be more interesting. Then in L vs. S, they debate remodeling. Should Sarah renovate her house or move? Finally, Liz and Sarah reveal this week's Hollywood Hack courtesy of one of our listeners: crappy dinner party! Links: 3 Tips to have Better Conversations:...

In this week's "The Mailroom" segment, Liz and Sarah share tips on how to stand out as a Writers' PA. (Hint: It's more than just getting lunch orders correct!) Then they interview their professional crush, director Liz Friedlander, and discuss everything from being a female director in Hollywood to playing the "V card" when negotiating pay. Finally, Liz and Sarah share a stress-relieving Hollywood...

Liz and Sarah are in the midst of Hell Month. They discuss how they’re getting through the time-management nightmare of writing, shooting, AND editing all at the same time on their show, The Fix. Then this week's Hollywood Hack is: always have a man in the room when you're interviewing candidates for a job. You’ll love the reason why. Finally, Liz reveals her husband's celebrity sighting at Craig'...