Eric Kaplan

Infobox Writer


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Eric Kaplan is an American television writer, producer, and story editor. His work has included such shows as "The Late Show with David Letterman", "Andy Richter Controls the Universe", "Malcolm in the Middle", and most notably "Futurama". He works on "Out of Jimmy's Head".

Early life

Kaplan graduated from Harvard College in 1989.Fact|date=April 2008 Prior to committing to a career in professional writing, Kaplan had been an English teacher in Thailand. After that he took five years of philosophy graduate school at Columbia and UC Berkeley. [ [http://www.gotfuturama.com/Information/Articles/kaplan.dhtml Eric Kaplan interview with gotfuturama.com (1st question)] Accessed January 31st, 2007]

Career in television

Eric Kaplan's first television writing job was with "The Late Show with David Letterman" which he worked on for a year and a half before quitting and moving to Hollywood to look for a job in "half-hour" work [ [http://www.gotfuturama.com/Information/Articles/kaplan.dhtml Eric Kaplan interview with gotfuturama.com (13th question)] Accessed January 31st, 2007] . It was at this time that Kaplan learned of Matt Groening doing a show set in the year 3000. This show would turn out to be "Futurama". After applying for work on the show using some writing samples, Eric would have to, as he says, "sweat it out", for over a month before getting the job. Upon "Futurama's" cancellation, Kaplan went to work for the short-lived comedy series "Andy Richter Controls the Universe", writing just one episode. After FOX dropped "Andy Richter...", Eric Kaplan then began work on the hit-show "Malcolm in the Middle".

"Futurama"

In his first year with "Futurama", which was also the show's first season, Kaplan served as story editor on every episode. Though having an input on many aspects of the entire first season, Kaplan wouldn't get a writing credit until 9 episodes in. After this premiere season, he would be promoted to producer status. This was a role that he would keep through the show's end.

"Futurama" episode writing credits:

* "Hell Is Other Robots"
* "Why Must I Be a Crustacean in Love?"
* "A Bicyclops Built for Two"
* "Parasites Lost"
* "I Dated a Robot"
* "Jurassic Bark"
* "Three Hundred Big Boys"

"Malcolm in the Middle"

In his two years as a writer on "Malcolm in the Middle" Kaplan wrote four episodes while serving as co-executive producer on one ("Reese Joins the Army (1)").

"Malcolm in the Middle" episode writing credits:

* "Dirty Magazine"
* "Victor's Other Family"
* "Blackout"
* "Hal Grieves"

"The Drinky Crow Show"

Kaplan wrote and co-created "The Drinky Crow Show" with Tony Millionaire for Adult Swim.

"Flight of the Conchords"

Kaplan wrote the episode Girlfriends

Mirari Films

Kaplan runs Mirari Films, a CGI animation production studio. In addition to "The Drinky Crow Show" Mirari Films produces "Baxter and McGuire" for Comedy Central and is developing a show for Nickelodeon with the rapper Ludacris.

Zombie College

"Zombie College" was an internet webtoon Kaplan created that revolved around a student at a college full of zombies.

Kaplan described the premise of "Zombie College" as

the idea of the human ability to get used to practically anything. That there's nothing so horrible that we can't get used to it and accept it as part of life (...) Zombie College is an environment where there are undead monsters running around and trying to eat your brain but everybody is o.k. with it and they're more interested in getting good grades. [ [http://www.gotfuturama.com/Information/Articles/kaplan.dhtml Eric Kaplan interview with gotfuturama.com (2nd question)] Accessed January 31st, 2007]

References

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