If you’re part of the industry—or just curious about how it all works—The Season is the show that examines the nuts and bolts of the awards machinery. We’re pulling back the curtain on what really goes on behind the scenes: the strategies driving campaigns and the personal experiences and challenges of running the awards circuit gauntlet. Each episode, we’ll be talking to key players from all corners of the awards industry — from filmmakers and artisans to awards pundits and publicists — executives, journalists, film festival programmers, and even the people working behind-the-scenes of the biggest award shows.
Our guest this week is Hugh Fink, Executive Producer of the Writers Guild Awards, stand-up comedian, and Emmy-winning SNL writer. Hugh takes us behind the scenes of producing award shows, sharing insights on navigating comedy in front of live audiences, the challenges of booking the right hosts, and why he believes the Writers Guild Awards is “the most entertaining awards show not on television.” He also reflects on his early days writing for the ESPY Awards, working alongside iconic comedians like David Spade and Dennis Miller, and some thoughts on SNL at 50.
Show Notes:
(00:36) Weekly Awards News Update
(02:17) Interview with Hugh Fink: Insights and Stories
(03:17) What Hugh Fink Learned Writing for the ESPYs and MTV Movie Awards
(05:04) Behind the Scenes of Award Show Production
(10:44) On the Challenges of Booking Awards Show Hosts
(17:20) The Upcoming Movie Saturday Night & Hugh Fink’s Views on SNL
(18:43) Lightning Round with Hugh Fink
(21:07) FYCit Field Agent Tony Miros’s Weekly Report
Host: Ryland Aldrich @RylandAldrich
Guest: Hugh Fink – Writers Guild Awards Executive Producer, Emmy-Winning SNL Writer
FYCit Field Agent: Tony Miros @tonymiros
Produced by Spellbinder Media
More at https://fycit.app and on socials @fycitapp. Questions? Email podcast@fycit.app