Transcript: How to Quit Hollywood
A former hotshot TV writer on why — and how — she said goodbye to the industry
Sean McNulty (00:02):
Welcome to The Ankler podcast. This is Sean McNulty from The Wakeup newsletter, recording here on Thursday, August 31st from New York City, where somehow I see that Elaine Low has been let into town. Elaine, is this true? Did you use a tennis passport to get across the border to the five Boroughs? What's going on?
Elaine Low (00:18):
They've finally let me back in, Sean. I'm proud to say.
Sean McNulty (00:23):
Did you drop my name in the border? It usually helps people, so... If you want to come to Queens at least, definitely just keep it in your pocket, that's all I'm saying. You may need it. And of course, Richard Rushfield from Los Angeles. Richard, I'm sorry you did not get the CNN job, I know you had your heart set on it. Zas told me you were a lock. I don't know what happened, but maybe you can get a show on the CNN Max streaming service or something. Maybe there's a show for you, I don't know.
Richard Rushfield (00:48):
I mean, I told them that I was really going up to be the afternoon CNN president. I told them I don't really work mornings, and Zas was fine with that. HR for some reason...
Sean McNulty (00:58):
Just didn't go over well?
Richard Rushfield (01:02):
I don't know why they think a CNN president needs to put in a full day at this point in history, but apparently they did.
Sean McNulty (01:11):
Well, maybe MSNBC will have you, Richard. Who knows? Elaine, you are here in New York, so give Richard and I, what I'm sure will be controversy causing East Coast versus West Coast strike line analysis here. What's been your week so far?
Elaine Low (01:26):
So got in Tuesday night, there are only two pickets left for me to go to, Wednesday and today because Friday... No pickets on Friday this week for Labor Day weekend. So on Wednesday, I slather on sunscreen as I usually do, step outside, and then quickly remembered, "Oh, hey, I'm in New York, and it is raining outside. I'm not in L.A."
Sean McNulty (01:50):
Yeah, I was going to say, not that hot. It's actually very nice here, Elaine, so I don't know what... Keep your sunblock on in general, but not needed here. Little different temperatures here.
Elaine Low (01:59):
There was a very dedicated group of nine people picketing outside of Paramount in Times Square, and then a larger group outside of 30 Rock. And then today got a chance to go down to Netflix, which, both in L.A. and in New York, appears to be the most popular picket, both from my visits and from what other folks have told me. So Netflix still the popular one to protest outside of.
Sean McNulty (02:23):
Interesting. Any different vibes on the lines? Or I guess, I mean, size-wise probably a little bit different, but anything else of note that caught your eye?