Erin O’Malley
THe Producer of your favorite TV SHows Explains Her Duty to encourage women and BIpoc artists
Erin O’Malley is one of the coolest, raddest ladies you will ever meet. She’s a five-time Emmy-nominated television and film producer and director. More importantly, she also has a healthy obsession with Broadway musicals. Which I am not mad at.
If you recall the famous character Molly Shannon created on SNL, Sally O’Malley, you’ll know why I saved Erin to be episode 50!
As you’ll hear me gush, Erin’s resume is extremely impressive, so saddle up.
Her producing credits include Da Ali G Show starring Sacha Baron Cohen, which earned a Primetime Emmy nomination; The Sarah Silverman Program.; Curb Your Enthusiasm, which earned four Primetime Emmy nominations as well as four Producers Guild Award nominations; The Grinder starring Rob Lowe and Fred Savage; One Mississippi, the critically raved about Amazon Studios series starring Tig Notaro; New Girl starring Zooey Deschanel; Single Parents staring Taran Killam, Leighton Meester, and Brad Garret; and Bless This Mess starring Lake Bell and Dax Shepard. O’Malley has also directed episodes of Fresh Off the Boat and Speechless.
Phew, right?
Empowering LGBTIQ+ and BIPOC men and women is one of her core values. Hearing her talk about her approach to the work, to the humanity of producing, was humbling and inspiring.
She has been nominated for a Women’s Image Network Award for Outstanding Show Produced by A Woman for her work producing New Girl. Bless This Mess was awarded a ReFrame Stamp by Women In Film as a mark of distinction in hiring female-identifying people in four out of eight key arenas in production.
A graduate of USC’s School of Cinema-Television, Erin has made her roots in Los Angeles, where she lives with her wife and two daughters.
This week, we discuss how Larry David helped her with a big learning curve, what it’s like to be responsible for 400 individual jobs, and which Hamilton character she is versus who she wishes she were.
Can't wait to hear what you think of this week's episode!
xx cg
“I feel very, very empowered and obligated to hire women, to encourage young women, to encourage young men of color. I feel like it’s my job, it’s my duty.”
- Erin O’Malley
Episode Transcript
