Michael Begler

Last updated
Michael Begler
Born Long Island, New York
Occupation Television writer, screenwriter, producer, showrunner
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater University of Wisconsin–Madison
Notable works

Michael Begler is an American television writer, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for co-creating Cinemax's period medical drama The Knick , and for writing the films Raising Helen (2004), The Shaggy Dog (2006) and Big Miracle (2012), all with writing partner Jack Amiel. [1]

Contents

Early life

Begler was born and raised in Long Island, New York. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he majored in English. [2]

He met his future writing partner Jack Amiel while they were in college together and both entered the university's musical-comedy contest, Humorology . [2] [1]

Career

After college, Begler moved to New York and worked as a PA on The Cosby Show . He and Amiel, who was working as a PA in Los Angeles, decided to write together shortly after, and Begler soon joined Amiel in Los Angeles. Their first writing job was on Fox's Herman's Head . [3]

Begler worked consistently from that point onwards, writing - with Amiel - on a number of sitcoms, including Empty Nest , Minor Adjustments , The Jeff Foxworthy Show , The Tony Danza Show and Malcolm in the Middle . [4]

In the mid-2000s, Begler transitioned into writing feature films, penning the scripts for the romantic comedies The Prince and Me and Garry Marshall's Raising Helen , both released in 2004. [5] [6] In 2006, Begler wrote Disney's The Shaggy Dog , starring Tim Allen and Robert Downey Jr. [7]

Begler wrote 2012's Ken Kwapis-directed Big Miracle starring Drew Barrymore. [6] Cinemax picked up Begler and Amiel's The Knick to series, after they wrote the pilot script on spec. Steven Soderbergh came on board the series as director and executive producer. [8] Begler and Amiel served as co-showrunners and executive producers, and wrote the majority of the series' episodes. The series premiered on August 8, 2014. It was renewed for a second season of 10 episodes, airing October 2015. [9] In April 2021, it was announced that Bagler and Amiel will serve as an executive producers and showrunners for second season of Perry Mason . Around the same time, he signed an overall deal with HBO. [10]

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004 The Prince and Me Screenplay by
Raising Helen Screenplay by
2006 The Shaggy Dog Screenplay by
2007Hell on EarthWritten byTV movie; also Executive Producer
2012 Big Miracle Screenplay by

Production staff

YearShowRoleNotes
1996 The Jeff Foxworthy Show Co-producer
1997
The Tony Danza Show Producer
1998
2014 The Knick Executive Producer, Co-creator
2015
2020 Perry Mason Executive Producer, Co-Showrunner (Season 2) [10]

Writer

YearShowSeasonEpisode titleEpisodeNotes
1994 Herman's Head 3"The Herm from Ipanema"17
1995 Empty Nest 7"The Ex-Files"19
1996 Minor Adjustments 1"Ask Dr. Ron"9
"Baba-Doo-Wang"14
The Jeff Foxworthy Show 2"The Poor Sportsmen of the Apocalypse"3
1997"Feud for Thought"11
"Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks"12
1998 The Wonderful World of Disney 1"Disneys Animal Kingdom: The First Adventure"27
The Tony Danza Show 1"C'gar Face"6
"Vision Quest"14
2000 Malcolm in the Middle 1"Lois vs. Evil"9
2002 Greetings from Tucson 1"My Two Padres"2
2003"Ball and Chain"10
2014 The Knick 1"Method and Madness1
"Mr. Paris Shoes"2
"The Busy Flea"3
"Where's the Dignity"4
"Start Calling Me Dad"6
"Get the Rope"7
"Working Late a Lot"8
"Crutchfield"10
20152"Ten Knots"1
"You're No Rose"2
"The Best with the Best to Get the Best"3
"Wonderful Surprises"4
"Williams and Walker"7
"Do You Remember Moon Flower?"9
"This Is All We Are"10
2023 Perry Mason 21

References

  1. 1 2 "Interview: The Knick Creators Amiel and Begler". 19 September 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Jack Amiel & Michael Begler Biography". madeinatlantis.com. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  3. ↑ Travers, Ben (2014-08-06). "'The Knick' Creators on How They Went From Writing Studio Rom-Coms to Steven Soderbergh's New TV Show". IndieWire. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  4. ↑ hercules. "THE KNICK!!
    What Make The Critics Of Steven Soderbergh's THE KNICK??"    . Aint It Cool News. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  5. ↑ Foundas, Scott (2004-03-28). "The Prince & Me". Variety. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  6. 1 2 "THE KNICK Showrunners Jack Amiel and Michael Begler on Bringing Their Show to Life | Nerdist". Nerdist. 2014-08-07. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  7. ↑ "The Shaggy Dog | Film Review | Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  8. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2013-05-23). "Steven Soderbergh Will Interrupt Retirement To Direct And Produce Cinemax Series 'The Knick' With Clive Owen Starring". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  9. ↑ "Cinemax Gives Steven Soderbergh's 'The Knick' Early Season 2 Renewal". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-01-08.
  10. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (April 23, 2021). "Jack Amiel & Michael Begler Ink Big Overall Deal With HBO, Join 'Perry Mason' As Showrunners; Ron Fitzgerald & Rolin Jones Exit". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 23, 2021.
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