R. J. Fried
R. J. Fried | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Harvard University |
Occupation(s) | Showrunner, Writer, Performer |
Years active | 2004–present |
Notable work | Our Cartoon President, Tooning Out the News, Triumph's Election Special 2016, Late Show with David Letterman |
Website | www.rjfried.com |
R. J. Fried is an American television writer, actor, producer, and showrunner known for his work on comedy television programs.
Early life and education
[edit]R. J. Fried was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[1] He graduated cum laude from Harvard University, where he was named as the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004.[2][1] Before pursuing an entertainment career, Fried was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2000 NHL Draft.[2][3][4]
Career
[edit]Fried started his career in television as a writer and performer.[5] His early credits include writing for The Late Show with David Letterman,[6] Night of Too Many Stars and Onion SportsDome.[3] He also wrote for MTV programs such as Popzilla and Rob & Big.[3]
Fried is recognized for his work on Our Cartoon President, a political satire series on Showtime that parodied the Trump administration.[7][8][9][6] The series became Showtime's highest-rated scripted comedy and ran for three seasons.[10]
He co-created and served as the showrunner for Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News (TOTN), an animated satirical news program that aired on Paramount and Comedy Central.[11][12][13][14] The show received several award nominations, including two Primetime Emmy nominations and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination.
Other projects Fried has written for include Problematic with Moshe Kasher,[5][3] The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell,[15] Triumph's Election Special, and Maya & Marty.[6][3]
Awards and Nominations
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Recipients and Nominees | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Night of Too Many Stars | Nominated | [16][17] |
2013 | Outstanding Scripted Variety Series | Night of Too Many Stars | Nominated | ||
2016 | Outstanding Scripted Variety Series | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Nominated | ||
2017 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) - Specials | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Won | [5][14] |
Comedy/Variety Sketch Series | Maya & Marty | Nominated | [16] | ||
2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Tooning Out the News | Nominated | [15][17] |
2022 | Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Tooning Out the News | Nominated | [17] | |
2023 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy-Variety Talk Series | Tooning Out the News | Nominated | [citation needed] |
Filmography
[edit]Actor
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Popzilla | Various | 11 episodes | |
2014–2015 | Late Show with David Letterman | R.J. | 7 episodes | |
2016 | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Chris Christie Staffer #2 | 5 episodes | |
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Voice | 31 episodes | [10][8] |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Additional Voices | 63 episodes | [18][12][19] |
2022 | Fairview | Voice | 7 episodes | [20][21] |
2024 | Washingtonia | Voice |
Writer
[edit]Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Good Morning World | Writer | ||
2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Writer | 11 episodes | |
2009 | Popzilla | Writer, Concept | 11 episodes | |
2011 | Onion SportsDome | Contributing Writer | 10 episodes | |
2013–2015 | Late Show with David Letterman | Writer | 326 episodes | |
2015 | Night of Too Many Stars | Writer | TV Special | |
2016 | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Writer | 5 episodes | |
2016 | Maya & Marty | Writer | 6 episodes | |
2017 | Beyond the Wall with Grace Parra | Writer | TV Movie | |
2017 | Problematic with Moshe Kasher | Head Writer | 6 episodes | |
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Writer, Creator | 45 episodes | [8][22] |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Writer, Creator | 66 episodes | [11] |
2022 | Fairview | Writer, Creator, Story | 8 episodes |
Producer
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Executive Producer | 11 episodes | |
2009 | Popzilla | Executive Producer | 11 episodes | |
2016 | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Producer | 5 episodes | |
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Executive Producer | 38 episodes | [10][8][22][23] |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Executive Producer | 68 episodes | [24][25][13][26] |
2022 | Fairview | Executive Producer | 1 episode | [20] |
2017 | Problematic with Moshe Kasher | Co-Executive Producer | 6 episodes | |
2024 | Washingtonia | Executive Producer |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Entertainment.ie. "R.J. Fried - About". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b "R.J. Fried | HuffPost". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b c d e Petski, Denise (2017-09-25). "Showtime's Donald Trump Animated Series Taps R.J. Fried As Showrunner". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ "Two-Sport Superstar | Sports | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
- ^ a b c "Episode 97: RJ Fried, "Tooning Out the News" | OnWriting". Writers Guild of America East. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (2019-06-10). "'Our Cartoon President' Co-Creator R.J. Fried On Crafting Topical Animation That Can Respond To Current Events In Real Time". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ "Comedy Speaks Truth to Power: 'Our Cartoon President' Returns with Season 2". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b c d Tangcay, Jazz (2020-02-23). "'Our Cartoon President' Boss R.J. Fried: 'The World Feels More Cartoonish Than Ever'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Beresford, Trilby (2020-03-14). ""We Don't Mind Getting in Trouble": How 'Our Cartoon President' Faces Hot-Button Topics". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b c Pena, Jessica (2020-07-30). "Our Cartoon President: Season Three; Political Satire Series Returning to Showtime". canceled renewed TV shows, ratings - TV Series Finale. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b Cobb, Kayla (2023-05-18). "'Tooning Out the News' and 'Hell of a Week with Charlamagne Tha God' Canceled at Comedy Central". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b Avalos, Regina (2023-05-19). "Tooning Out the News, Hell of a Week: Late Night Series Cancelled by Comedy Central". canceled renewed TV shows, ratings - TV Series Finale. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b White, Peter (2023-05-18). "Stephen Colbert-Exec Produced Pair 'Tooning Out The News' & 'Hell Of A Week With Charlamagne Tha God' Canceled At Comedy Central". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b Heller, Jeff (2021-08-08). "Interview: Talking 'Tooning Out The News' With Showrunner R.J. Fried". Awards Radar. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b Noble, Matt (2021-08-09). "R.J. Fried ('Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News'): 'You can't make the mistakes cable news make' [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW]". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b "Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b c "RJ Fried". Television Academy. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Stewart, Matthew (2023-06-19). "2023 Emmy nominations ballot: 148 character voice-over performers vie for your consideration". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ "'Tooning Out The News' Showrunner RJ Fried Dishes on What to Expect This Season". Mediaite. 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b "R.J. Fried | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ "Fairview". Rob Chandler. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ a b "Executive Producer RJ Fried Talks 'Our Cartoon President' - CBS Texas". www.cbsnews.com. 2019-05-07. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ CBS Local News (2019-05-07). The Sit Down: RJ Fried. Retrieved 2024-07-24 – via YouTube.
- ^ White, Peter (2023-02-07). "Stephen Colbert's 'Tooning Out The News' Handed Season 3 Extension, Sets Up State Of The Union Special". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ Lash, Jolie (2022-09-15). "Comedy Central Sets October Premiere Date for 'Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning out the News' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ^ "Even a Pandemic Can't Stop Politics from Being Funny on 'Tooning Out the News'". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- American television producers
- American comedy writers
- American television writers
- Harvard University alumni
- Showrunners
- American satirists
- Writers Guild of America Award winners
- People from Indiana, Pennsylvania
- Florida Panthers draft picks
- American television personalities
- Television show creators
- American male television writers
- American screenwriters
- Television producers from Pennsylvania
- American television executives
- American animators
- Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey players