Lesley Goldberg

Los Angeles

Contributing Writer at The Ankler

Proud L.A. native and Dodger fan. My views are mine. She/her. ⚾ 📺🏳️‍🌈

Articles

Mara Brock Akil on 'Forever', Netflix, Judy Blume & DEI Rollback: 'You'll Lose'

1 week ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She surveyed writers about whether the WGA strike was worth it and wrote about what it takes to get staffed in a writers room today.
Mara Brock Akil on 'Forever', Netflix, Judy Blume & DEI Rollback: 'You'll Lose'

1 week ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Mara Brock Akil says Hollywood companies hold responsibility for representation on screen. “What do they believe in? Because they’ve always had the choice of which stories get greenlit.” (The Ankler illustration; Akil: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Netflix;
Studios vs. WGA: Writers Reveal Rage, Rewards, Reality Two Long Years Later

2 weeks ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She wrote about what it takes to get staffed in a writers room today and why more buyers are losing interest in pricey limited series and turning to ongoing, broadcast-style dramas.
How to Get Staffed in a Writers Room Today

3 weeks ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

When Yellowjackets creators Ashley Lyle and Bart Nickerson were looking to fill a couple of open slots in the season three writers room for the Showtime on Paramount+ cult favorite, the married showrunners were inundated with literally hundreds of submissions for less than a handful of openings.
Buyers' New Good-for-Sellers Vibe Shift (& What 'The Pitt' Has to Do With It)

4 weeks ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She interviewed Bruce Miller of The Handmaid’s Tale, and wrote about the mess at Amazon TV after exec Jen Salke’s exit. Reach her at [email protected] this month,Gunsmoke — the Western that started as a radio show before running for 20 seasons on CBS — cracked Nielsen’s streaming top 10 for the first time since the series wrapped its 635-episode run. In . . . 1975.
'Handmaid's Tale' Screams Dystopia. But the Show Creator Won't Get Political

1 month ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She wrote about the mess at Amazon TV and what’s next after exec Jennifer Salke’s exit; she also surveyed dozens of writers on how to improve TV development and rethink writers rooms. Reach her at [email protected] Bruce Miller, overseeing The Handmaid’s Tale was the culmination of a lifelong dream.
Amazon's Amazing TV Mess: 'Everyone's Afraid of Their Own Shadow'

1 month ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She recently surveyed dozens of writers on how to improve TV development and rethink writers rooms, and she interviewed former CBS entertainment president Kelly Kahl about life after the big job.
Fixing TV: Shawn Ryan, Damon Lindelof on How They'd Change Development

1 month ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She recently interviewed former CBS entertainment president Kelly Kahl about life after the big job and his Milwaukee Brewers doc and wrote about the rise of open writing assignments. “It’s supposed to be frustrating — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” That’s how TV veteran Damon Lindelof feels about the industry’s development process.
CBS Ex-Pres on Life After the Big Job: 'You Don't Get to Choose Your Own Exit'

1 month ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She recently wrote about the rise of open writing assignments (and scooped that Netflix’s The Perfect Couple would get a second season) and about the loss of The CW as a crucial training ground for writers. Kelly Kahl is living his best life.
The 3-Letter Deal TV Writers Love/Hate

2 months ago | theankler.com | Lesley Goldberg

Lesley Goldberg reports from L.A. She recently interviewed CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach and wrote about the loss of The CW as a crucial training ground for writers. Last fall,The Perfect Couple became a monster hit for Netflix and generated nearly 2 billion minutes viewed (per Nielsen) in less than a week after its debut.