Happier in Hollywood

Liz and Sarah discuss how their immediate future resembles the 1998 movie Sliding Doors. There’s one reality if Fantasy Island gets picked up for Season Two, and a totally different reality if it doesn’t. In Take A Hike, Sarah shares how she’s using meditation to help her get through this stressful time. Her favorite tool? The Ten Percent Happier app from Dan Harris. Plus, she got chickens! So Oja...

It’s not even Halloween yet, but Liz and Sarah are looking ahead to the holidays. Between supply chain problems and slow delivery, they’re shopping NOW! And they’ve got lots of great gift ideas. Need to buy for a colleague? They suggest a personalized Yeti rambler cup or a face mask chain from CandiceBDesigns on Etsy. Have a Happier lover in your life? Get a To Do Tackle Box from Gretchen Rubin. L...

Liz and Sarah discuss a question put forth by their favorite author consultant, Crystal Ellefsen — what five things do they want to be known for? First on the list — writing interesting, complex female characters. Then they Amplify Dichos, an hilarious new web series from Fantasy Island Season One writer Mary Angelica Molina. This week’s Hollywood Hack is for the overbuyers out there: If you feel...

Liz and Sarah are anxiously waiting to find out if there’s a future for Fantasy Island. They reveal one way they’re handling the stress — working on the network pitch for Season Two! In Hits & Bombs, Liz gives Sarah a Hit for how she’s dealing with the social slog in her new hometown of Ojai. And after watching the new Amazon docuseries LuLaRich, they both give a big Bomb to MLM’S — multilevel mar...

Liz and Sarah reveal what’s most pressing in their work psyches this week — nothing! As Season One of Fantasy Island comes to an end, they are making a conscious effort to take a mental break from the show. In Take Two, they revisit their post Puerto Rico reset plans. Did Sarah find good hiking trails in Ojai? Has Liz stopped eating after 10PM? Have they both managed to focus on their friendship?...

Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of having a point of view at work. Your boss might not always agree with you, but that’s ok! In Behind The Episode, they talk about two episodes of Fantasy Island: “The Big Five Oh” and “The Romance & The Bromance.” One exciting detail? The casting! These episodes feature a Melrose Place reunion and an appearance by Roselyn Sanchez’s husband — Eric Winter! Then...

As the school year begins, Liz and Sarah take a cue from Violet's first day at her new school: Expect the worst, prepare for the best. It’s the opposite of the conventional wisdom, but it works! Then they answer a question from a listener who wants to know if their motto — It’s a fun job, and we enjoy it — still applies when it’s NOT a fun job. The answer? Yes! Next, they go behind the scenes on t...

Liz and Sarah aren’t just TV writers — they’re podcasters! This week they discuss how they make Happier In Hollywood, and what elements they think are necessary for a good podcast. One rule? No aimless banter! In Behind The Episode, they talk about the Fantasy Island episode, “Once Upon a Time in Havana.” Then, in The Mailroom, they answer a listener question related to their “fun job” motto. How...

Liz and Sarah discuss what they call, "the in-between time—“ Fantasy Island has premiered, but will there be a second season? Or not? The numbers (overnights, L3s, L7s, etc.) trickle in, but what do they mean? When will the future be clearer? No idea! Then they discuss the importance of asking for what you need. Both Liz and Sarah had to do this recently… and it made a HUGE difference. They also d...

After months of work (and stress) it happened — the premiere of Fantasy Island on FOX! Liz and Sarah discuss the press coverage, the presence of an Evil Donut Bringer in the pilot, and what Liz's sister-in-law, Olivia, thought about the character (loosely) inspired by her. Then it’s time for a Take a Hike double-feature! In the first, they talk about why writing is easier than... well, not writing...

As Liz and Sarah gear up for the premiere of Fantasy Island, they‘re doing a lot of press — which can be daunting. But they have a plan of action! Knowing what they want to say and remembering to express their passion are key. In Take a Hike, they reveal how they’re mentally preparing for the Fantasy Island reviews. It’s never easy! In Hits and Bombs, they give BOTH to the same thing — the cancela...

Liz and Sarah discuss their decision not to make work for themselves during their upcoming downtime. Instead, they’re going to focus on recuperating from an intense work schedule. Then, in Take A Hike, they reveal how they’re each commemorating Season One of Fantasy Island. Liz bought herself a necklace, and Sarah ordered her dream spinning wheel! Next, in their new Amplify segment, they talk abou...

As they near the end of production, Liz and Sarah talk about their bad case of senioritis: the writing is done, shooting is almost done, but there’s still work left to do! How do they stay focused? In Take a Hike, they reveal how they’re challenging themselves to use this time of transition as a fresh start. Then Liz and Sarah give themselves a zip lining Hit and a behind-the-scenes photos Bomb. F...

Liz and Sarah talk about hitting the wall — and then climbing on top of it to enjoy the view. They’ve accomplished a lot in the last few months! In Take a Hike, Sarah allows herself a moment to focus on her mental health with words of wisdom from her friend and real estate agent, Victoria Massengale: “You’re allowed to have normal human emotions.” In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share their p...

It's time for the Summer Listener Questions episode! Who does the music on a show? How did the current reboot of Fantasy Island come about? How does money work in a writing partnership? And most importantly, has Sarah made her Dole Whips yet? Liz and Sarah answer these and more burning questions!  Join our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HappierinHollywood/ Get in touch on Twitter: @sarah...

Liz and Sarah chat with Dawn Steinberg, EVP of Worldwide Talent and Casting at Sony Pictures Television, about her career, the advice she has for actors, and most importantly, her pet peeves. Then, in preparation for another trip to Puerto Rico, Liz and Sarah review the lessons they've learned about living on location and what they plan to do differently. For starters? Sarah is going to have a kit...

Liz and Sarah talk about how they’re trying to stay zen during endless Zoom meetings as they move into the post production phase of Fantasy Island. In theIr new segment A Day In The Life, they share exactly what a day of showrunning looks like — for Sarah the day started at 5:30am! Then In Take Hike, Liz and Sarah discuss how making little adjustments can have a big impact. One example? When Sarah...

As Liz and Sarah start to hand over cuts of Fantasy Island to the studio and network, they have to accept they don’t have control over how other people react. And that’s okay! In Hits & Bombs, Liz gives a Hit to Bravo for bringing Heather Dubrow back to the Real Housewives of Orange County. She also gives herself a Bomb for not succeeding with her post Puerto Rico clean slate. In The Mailroom, Liz...

Liz and Sarah discuss a great compliment they received from one of the Fantasy Island writers— they’re insulators as opposed to conductors when it comes to keeping show stress from infiltrating the Writers Room. Then, in their new Amplify segment, they share a fantastic new podcast from Liz's sister-in-law, Olivia Fierro: Olivia’s Book Club. Plus, now that they're back from Puerto Rico, they settl...

Do you remember the first time you watched The Wizard of Oz? Those famous red ruby slippers are some of the most iconic objects in Hollywood history that still bring back nostalgic memories every time they’re seen. They became a rare collector’s item worth millions. In the summer of 2005, a pair was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in the small town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. In No Place Like...

Liz and Sarah have completed Phase One of Fantasy Island — all of their story areas for the season have been approved! There’s still LOTS of work to do, but they take a moment to savor this accomplishment. Next up? Finishing all the scripts and getting into post! In Take A Hike, they talk to friend of the pod, Dr. Melina Jampolis, about her fantastic new book, Spice Up, Live Long: A Guide to Using...

Liz and Sarah discuss why, in a group setting, it’s important to be a person who pushes the boulder up the hill. And if you can’t push the boulder up the hill, then at least don’t be the one pushing it down the hill! Then, in Take A Hike, they talk about how one of the Fantasy Island writers has inspired them to try to be “at ease in muddy water.” In The Craft (& Fain), Liz and Sarah share some of...

Liz and Sarah discuss how, when working in a highly collaborative environment, everyone can be right at the same time, which can sometimes make things feel oh so wrong. Then, in The Mailroom, they answer two listener questions. How much thought is put into the way scenes look on television? And how can four women starting a business together successfully make group decisions? In The Craft (& Fain)...

Liz and Sarah share a listener’s suggestion about how to frame potentially difficult work conversations so that they stay light-hearted and productive — let everyone know at the outset that there will be plenty of “cussing and discussing.” In Hits & Bombs, they give a big hit to the Fantasy Island hair and makeup team, who gave up their lunch hour to make Liz and Sarah look good for a behind-the-s...

Liz and Sarah are in the thick of production on Fantasy Island, and they discuss how sometimes it's not a fun job, and they don't enjoy it. But that’s ok! In Take A Hike, they talk about why it’s important that only one of them melts down at a time. Then, in Hits and Bombs, they give a hit to their amazing Fantasy Island cast and crew for coping so well with Covid restrictions in the tropical heat...