“Writers are opposite of athletes, they get better with age”

I don’t believe there are two sides to every argument. I think the facts are the center. And watching the news abandon the facts in favor of “fairness” is what’s troubling to me.

I consider plot a necessary intrusion on what I really want to do, which is write snappy dialogue. But when I’m writing, the way the words sound is as important to me as what they mean.

If I get an idea for a series that I really like, I’m sure I won’t be able to resist coming back and doing it.

I have a lot of respect for people who are great at ad-libbing, and for writers and directors who are able to create a scene in which that works.

Just to clarify the division of labor on the show, I write the show and Alan [Poul] does everything else.

Conflict, when used as a device, makes for good television and bad journalism.

There are no Asian movie stars

The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one – America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.

Never argue with a drunk or a fool.

Roxy Sorkin, your father just won the Academy Award. I’m going to have to insist on some respect from your guinea pig.

My resting pulse as a writer is writing idealistically and romantically; aspirationally. My taste lies in quixotic heroes.

Decisions are made by those who show up. Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world.

Decisions are made by those who show up. Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world.

With a television series, there’s a hard deadline, and so you have to write even when you’re not writing well.

I’ll get cast occasionally as sort of the jerk version of myself, and I have fun doing that. But it’s really better for everyone if I stay behind the camera.

I’ve never met anyone who has said, “My goal is to make America mediocre.” That’s a kind of hard-right conservative fallacy.

Life is something to do when you can’t get to sleep.

If you get those two aspects right, most rugby matches will work in your favour.

The Christian life doesn’t get easier as one gets older.

I set records that will never be equaled. In fact, I hope 90% of them don’t even get printed.

A city involves biomass. And biomass gets to me.

I didn’t get a lot of awards as a player. But they did have a Bob Uecker Day Off for me once in Philly.

After getting out of the service and going into baseball I never wanted to do anything else.

If you deserve it, go get it.