Storytelling Saga

Ali interviews award-winning screenwriter, playwright, producer and director, as well as the founder of Jacob Krueger Studio, Jacob Krueger. Jake shares his journey into screenwriting and founding the studio, his thoughts on starting a project from character, plot or process, a deeper look into what’s behind writer's block, the effect of negative and positive self-talk about your own writing, a different approach to the well-known concept of show, don't tell and much more!

Ali discusses the heartbreaking reality of Miriam Pataki from Hey Arnold!, touching on episodes such as “Road Trip,” “The Beeper Queen,” “Helga on the Couch” and more.

Ali discusses the second Rugrats theatrical film, Rugrats in Paris: The Movie. She reminisces about seeing it in theaters, sharing her love of all the heartfelt moments and the addition of new characters to the Rugrats family. Plus, some interesting revelations she never knew about the 2000 hit song from the soundtrack, "Who Let the Dogs Out" by Baha Men.

Ali discusses the stop-motion animated movie, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, sharing her thoughts on the plot, favorite songs and Jack and Sally's love story.

Ali discusses the movie, The Addams Family (1991), based on the characters created by cartoonist, Charles Addams, sharing her favorite lines while admiring the unbreakable love between this creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky family.

Ali interviews TV writer, Alison Tafel. She shares how she got her start in the industry, her first day in the BoJack Horseman writers’ room and insight into each of the episodes she wrote for the show: “Stupid Piece of Sh*t,” “INT. SUB,” “Feel-Good Story” and “The View From Halfway Down.” She also talks about her experience writing for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and she gives advice for writers trying to break into the industry as well as when you’re in the industry.

Ali discusses the cigarette-smoking, coffee-drinking, nonconforming Goth Kids from South Park, focusing on three of their most prominent episodes: "Raisins" (season 7), "The Ungroundable" (season 12) and "Goth Kids 3: Dawn of the Posers" (season 17).

Ali discusses the musical, Little Shop of Horrors, composed by Alan Menken with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, based on the original 1960 horror comedy film, The Little Shop of Horrors. She talks about first seeing the musical in a college production, favorite songs, her thoughts on the 1986 movie adaptation directed by Frank Oz and the original ending compared to the updated version.

Ali discusses Gilmore Girls created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel as the fast-talking, coffee-loving, mother-daughter duo, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. She shares how all the buzz about the revival got her into the show and reminisces about visiting the lot where they shot all the exterior scenes for the fictional town of Stars Hollow. She also talks about her favorite characters, Luke and Lorelai's relationship, her thoughts on each of Rory's boyfriends...

Ali discusses the works of bestselling author, Mitch Albom, touching on the universal themes of life, love, family, faith and more that he beautifully depicts in his popular books, including his debut memoir, Tuesdays with Morrie, novels, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, The First Phone Call from Heaven, The Time Keeper and The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, as well as his latest memoir, Finding Chika: A Little Girl, an Earthquake, and the Making of a Family.

Ali discusses Tiny Toon Adventures created by Tom Ruegger, sharing her appreciation for these Looney Tunes counterparts chock-full of slapstick gags, meta humor and fourth wall breaking commentary, plus her love of the catchy theme song and being confused as to what "no relation" meant when she watched the show in reruns on Nickelodeon as a little kid. She also talks about that one banned episode, as well as the fun direct-to-video movie, Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation.

Ali discusses the creative cartoon about a global coalition of adult-fighting kids, Codename: Kids Next Door, created by Mr. Warburton. She reminisces about watching the pilot back when it originally aired that won the Cartoon Network viewers' poll to be made into a series. She talks about favorite episodes she loved as a kid, plus a bunch she'd never seen until now, all the while sharing her thoughts on the dynamics of the five main characters, Numbuhs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. She also discusses the...

Ali interviews animator and director, Aaron Long. He shares how he became a director on BoJack Horseman, memorable episodes and scenes he’s worked on for the show, his favorite contributions to Tuca & Bertie thus far, the inspiration for his indie cartoon series, Sublo and Tangy Mustard, favorite episodes and funny character names, as well as the character he relates to the most from his show. He also shares his thoughts on cartoon reboots, some of his all-time favorite cartoon characters...

Ali discusses some of her personal favorite bottle episodes from various TV shows and what makes them so interesting, whether it's hilarious character interactions, building tension between two characters or raising the stakes as an episode plays out in real time.

Ali and returning guest, Sylvie, discuss their early days of reading and writing fanfiction, touching on various fandoms, genres and pairings, as well as collaborations, crossovers, clichés and general misconceptions about fanfiction. They also discuss the pros and cons of writing fanfiction, their thoughts on the successful fanfic turned bestselling trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey, and their advice for writers.

Ali discusses the defining moments of Beatrice Horseman (née Sugarman) as seen in flashbacks of BoJack's terrible childhood, her own tragic childhood depicted in the season 4 episode, "The Old Sugarman Place," further exploration of pivotal points in her life that led to her bitter adulthood all shown through her shaky memories in the fantastic penultimate episode of season 4, "Time's Arrow," BoJack delivering her eulogy in the standout episode of season 5, "Free Churro," and finally her...

Ali discusses what goes into writing a TV comedy pilot for this special 100th episode of the podcast! She talks about the two main things any pilot should accomplish as well as the difference between a premise pilot and an episodic pilot, drawing examples from some of her favorites while also talking about how the television landscape has changed over the years.

Ali discusses the brilliant Pixar movie, Inside Out, directed by Pete Docter, praising the imaginative concept and emotional storytelling that make it one of the best Pixar films. Afterward, she shares an Inside Out story she wrote called "An Emotional First Date."

Ali discusses the hilarious movie, Superbad, written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, sharing her favorite lines and her appreciation for the sweet moments that capture the genuine yet changing friendship between the two main characters.

Ali discusses the Disney movie, Hercules, praising the stellar soundtrack and strong character arcs, all the while reminiscing about seeing the film in theaters and watching it repeatedly with her siblings on VHS.