Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss
Name	Mike Reiss
Birth date	1959
Birth place	Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Occupation	Comedy writer, television producer, author, screenwriter
Years active	1981–present

Mike Reiss is an American comedy writer, television producer, and author known for his long association with The Simpsons and for work in television comedy, film, and children's literature. He has collaborated with prominent figures in American comedy and television production, contributing to landmark series and films while publishing novels and books for young readers. Reiss's career spans collaborations with writers, producers, and performers across Los Angeles, New York City, and the broader entertainment industry.

Early life and education

Reiss was born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in a family active in Rhode Island cultural life; he attended public schools in the region before matriculating at Harvard College, where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon alongside contemporaries who would later join Saturday Night Live, Mad magazine, and major television networks. At Harvard, he studied with peers who moved into screenwriting and television writing careers, participated in satire and comedy publications, and engaged with alumni networks connected to NBC, Fox Broadcasting Company, ABC (American Broadcasting Company), and CBS.

Career

Reiss's early professional work included staff positions on variety and sketch shows tied to NBCUniversal and freelance writing for late-night television programs. He transitioned to animated series writing for Fox Broadcasting Company during the rise of prime-time animation and developed projects with Gracie Films, 20th Century Fox Television, Universal Television, and independent production companies. He formed a long-running creative partnership with fellow writer and producer Al Jean, producing series and pilots, consulting on animated programs, and writing for feature films in collaboration with studios like 20th Century Studios and New Line Cinema. Reiss has also taught master classes and given lectures at institutions such as UCLA, USC School of Cinematic Arts, and Columbia University School of the Arts.

The Simpsons

Reiss joined The Simpsons writing staff in the late 1980s under executive production by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Sam Simon. During his tenure he co-wrote episodes with Al Jean and other Simpsons writers, contributing to the show's development during seasons that established the series as a fixture on Fox Broadcasting Company and in syndication across television markets worldwide. He served as a showrunner and executive producer for multiple seasons, working with voice actors such as Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, and Harry Shearer on episodes featuring guest stars like Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Barack Obama, Meryl Streep, and Stephen Hawking. Reiss helped shepherd episodes that won accolades from organizations including the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Peabody Awards, and the Writers Guild of America Awards, and he was involved in franchise expansions like The Simpsons Movie and international syndication deals.

Television and film work outside The Simpsons

Outside of The Simpsons, Reiss co-created and produced series for Fox Broadcasting Company and other networks, developing comedies with producers from Broadway, Saturday Night Live, and The Daily Show. He worked on scripted series for ABC (American Broadcasting Company), pilots for HBO, and animated projects for Netflix, collaborating with directors and producers from Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros. Pictures. Reiss co-wrote and consulted on feature scripts with filmmakers associated with Judd Apatow, John Hughes, and Christopher Guest-style comedies, and he contributed to television specials and variety broadcasts featuring performers such as Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Conan O'Brien, and David Letterman.

Writing and publications

Reiss has authored and co-authored books spanning adult humor, children's literature, and novels. His bibliography includes books published by imprints of Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Simon & Schuster, and collaborations with illustrators and editors from the New York publishing scene. He wrote humor essays for periodicals such as The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Book Review, and he contributed to anthologies alongside writers from The New Republic, Vanity Fair, and The Atlantic. Reiss's children's books have been marketed through retailers like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and independent bookstores affiliated with the American Booksellers Association, and adapted materials have been optioned by production companies for television and streaming platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

Awards and recognition

Reiss's work has been honored by industry organizations including the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the Writers Guild of America, and the American Comedy Awards. He has been part of writing teams that received Primetime Emmy Award nominations and wins for animated program writing, and he has accepted awards at ceremonies hosted by The Television Academy and writer-focused organizations. Reiss's books have been shortlisted for literary prizes from groups such as the Association of American Publishers and received reviews in Publishers Weekly. He has been invited to speak at festivals like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, SXSW, and PaleyFest.

Personal life

Reiss resides in the United States and maintains connections with alumni networks from Harvard College and the Harvard Lampoon. He participates in charitable initiatives with organizations based in Los Angeles and the East Coast, and he occasionally appears at fan conventions celebrating animated television with other creators and performers from The Simpsons and contemporary animated series. Reiss has collaborated with peers across the industry and continues to develop projects with collaborators from production companies, literary agencies, and writers' rooms in Hollywood and beyond.

Category:American television writers Category:Harvard College alumni