Writer/Directors Maya Forbes & Wallace Wolodarsky On Why Jay Is A Lousy Partner

Don't Be Alone with Jay Kogen

On this episode Jay’s former writing partner, Wallace Wolodarsky and Wally’s new writing partner, his wife, Maya Forbes talk about partnership – the joys and the pitfalls including having your partner pretend to be shot in the head on film. We also discuss trying to make movies vs TV, the difficult current writing landscape, being pals with the Coppolas and Wes Anderson, Maya at the Harvard Lampoon, writing books, and long distance swimming.
Maya Forbes began her career writing for The Larry Sanders Show. She has since written numerous television episodes and feature films. She made her directorial debut with Infinitely Polar Bear, starring Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. With her husband Wally Wolodarsky, Maya co-wrote and co-directed The Polka King, starring Jack Black, Jenny Slate and Jason Schwartzman and The Good House, starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline.
Wally Wolodarsky began his career as a writer on The Tracey Ullman Show. Writing with Jay Kogen, he received an Emmy. Wally was a writer and producer on The Simpsons for the first four seasons, where he won his second Emmy. With his wife Maya Forbes he has written several features and television shows including Monsters vs. Aliens, A Dog's Purpose and The People vs. O.J. Simpson. Wally produced Infinitely Polar Bear starring Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana. Together, Maya and Wally wrote and directed The Polka King starring Jack Black and The Good House starring Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline