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R. J. Fried

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R. J. Fried
Born
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarvard University
Occupation(s)Showrunner, Writer, Performer
Years active2004–present
Notable workOur Cartoon President, Tooning Out the News, Fairview, Washingtonia
Websitewww.rjfried.com

R. J. Fried is an American television writer, actor, producer, and showrunner known for his work on comedy television programs.

Early life and education

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R. J. Fried was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[1] He graduated cum laude from Harvard University, where he was named as the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004.[2][1] Before pursuing an entertainment career, Fried was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2000 NHL Draft.[2][3][4]

Career

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Fried started his career in television as a writer and performer.[5] His early credits include writing for The Late Show with David Letterman,[6] Night of Too Many Stars and Onion SportsDome.[3] He also wrote for MTV programs such as Popzilla and Rob & Big.[3]

Fried is recognized for his work on Our Cartoon President, a political satire series on Showtime that parodied the Trump administration.[7][8][9][6] The series became Showtime's highest-rated scripted comedy and ran for three seasons.[10]

He co-created and served as the showrunner for Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News (TOTN), an animated satirical news program that aired on Paramount+ and Comedy Central.[11][12][13][14] The show received several award nominations, including two Primetime Emmy nominations and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination.

Other projects Fried has written for include Problematic with Moshe Kasher,[5][3] The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell,[15] Triumph's Election Special, and Maya & Marty.[6][3]

Awards and Nominations

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Year Award Category Recipients and Nominees Result Ref.
2011 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special Night of Too Many Stars Nominated [16][17]
2013 Outstanding Scripted Variety Series Night of Too Many Stars Nominated
2016 Outstanding Scripted Variety Series Triumph's Election Special Nominated
2017 Writers Guild of America Awards Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) - Specials Triumph's Election Special Won [5][14]
Comedy/Variety Sketch Series Maya & Marty Nominated [16]
2021 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series Tooning Out the News Nominated [15][17]
2022 Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series Tooning Out the News Nominated [17]

Filmography

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Actor

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2009 Popzilla Various 11 episodes
2014–2015 Late Show with David Letterman R.J. 7 episodes
2016 Triumph's Election Watch 2016 Chris Christie Staffer #2 5 episodes
2018–2020 Our Cartoon President Voice 31 episodes [10][8]
2020–2023 Tooning Out the News Additional Voices 63 episodes [18][12][19]
2022 Fairview Voice 7 episodes [20][21]
2024 Washingtonia Voice

Writer

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Year Title Role(s) Notes Ref
2007 Good Morning World Writer
2009–2011 Bob & Doug Writer 11 episodes
2009 Popzilla Writer, Concept 11 episodes
2011 Onion SportsDome Contributing Writer 10 episodes
2013–2015 Late Show with David Letterman Writer 326 episodes
2015 Night of Too Many Stars Writer TV Special
2016 Triumph's Election Watch 2016 Writer 5 episodes
2016 Maya & Marty Writer 6 episodes
2017 Beyond the Wall with Grace Parra Writer TV Movie
2017 Problematic with Moshe Kasher Head Writer 6 episodes
2018–2020 Our Cartoon President Writer, Creator 45 episodes [8][22]
2020–2023 Tooning Out the News Writer, Creator 66 episodes [11]
2022 Fairview Writer, Creator, Story 8 episodes

Producer

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2009–2011 Bob & Doug Executive Producer 11 episodes
2009 Popzilla Executive Producer 11 episodes
2016 Triumph's Election Watch 2016 Producer 5 episodes
2018–2020 Our Cartoon President Executive Producer 38 episodes [10][8][22][23]
2020–2023 Tooning Out the News Executive Producer 68 episodes [24][25][13][26]
2022 Fairview Executive Producer 1 episode [20]
2017 Problematic with Moshe Kasher Co-Executive Producer 6 episodes
2024 Washingtonia Executive Producer

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Entertainment.ie. "R.J. Fried - About". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  2. ^ a b "R.J. Fried | HuffPost". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e Petski, Denise (2017-09-25). "Showtime's Donald Trump Animated Series Taps R.J. Fried As Showrunner". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  4. ^ "Two-Sport Superstar | Sports | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  5. ^ a b c "Episode 97: RJ Fried, "Tooning Out the News" | OnWriting". Writers Guild of America East. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  6. ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (2019-06-10). "'Our Cartoon President' Co-Creator R.J. Fried On Crafting Topical Animation That Can Respond To Current Events In Real Time". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  7. ^ "Comedy Speaks Truth to Power: 'Our Cartoon President' Returns with Season 2". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  8. ^ a b c d Tangcay, Jazz (2020-02-23). "'Our Cartoon President' Boss R.J. Fried: 'The World Feels More Cartoonish Than Ever'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  9. ^ Beresford, Trilby (2020-03-14). ""We Don't Mind Getting in Trouble": How 'Our Cartoon President' Faces Hot-Button Topics". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  10. ^ a b c Pena, Jessica (2020-07-30). "Our Cartoon President: Season Three; Political Satire Series Returning to Showtime". canceled + renewed TV shows, ratings - TV Series Finale. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  11. ^ a b Cobb, Kayla (2023-05-18). "'Tooning Out the News' and 'Hell of a Week with Charlamagne Tha God' Canceled at Comedy Central". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  12. ^ a b Avalos, Regina (2023-05-19). "Tooning Out the News, Hell of a Week: Late Night Series Cancelled by Comedy Central". canceled + renewed TV shows, ratings - TV Series Finale. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  13. ^ a b White, Peter (2023-05-18). "Stephen Colbert-Exec Produced Pair 'Tooning Out The News' & 'Hell Of A Week With Charlamagne Tha God' Canceled At Comedy Central". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  14. ^ a b Heller, Jeff (2021-08-08). "Interview: Talking 'Tooning Out The News' With Showrunner R.J. Fried". Awards Radar. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  15. ^ a b Noble, Matt (2021-08-09). "R.J. Fried ('Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News'): 'You can't make the mistakes cable news make' [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW]". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  16. ^ a b "Outstanding Writing For A Variety Special - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  17. ^ a b c "RJ Fried". Television Academy. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  18. ^ Stewart, Matthew (2023-06-19). "2023 Emmy nominations ballot: 148 character voice-over performers vie for your consideration". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  19. ^ "'Tooning Out The News' Showrunner RJ Fried Dishes on What to Expect This Season". Mediaite. 2022-10-04. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  20. ^ a b "R.J. Fried | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  21. ^ "Fairview". Rob Chandler. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  22. ^ a b "Executive Producer RJ Fried Talks 'Our Cartoon President' - CBS Texas". www.cbsnews.com. 2019-05-07. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  23. ^ CBS Local News (2019-05-07). The Sit Down: RJ Fried. Retrieved 2024-07-24 – via YouTube.
  24. ^ White, Peter (2023-02-07). "Stephen Colbert's 'Tooning Out The News' Handed Season 3 Extension, Sets Up State Of The Union Special". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  25. ^ Lash, Jolie (2022-09-15). "Comedy Central Sets October Premiere Date for 'Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning out the News' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  26. ^ "Even a Pandemic Can't Stop Politics from Being Funny on 'Tooning Out the News'". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
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