Episode 51: Sierra Teller Ornelas and Mike Schur, "Rutherford Falls"

<p>To kick things off for Season 9, Geri is joined by <strong>Sierra Teller Ornelas</strong> and <strong>Mike Schur</strong>, co-creators — along with Ed Helms — of the new Peacock sitcom RUTHERFORD FALLS, to discuss how the series tackles big issues around race and culture with an abundance of humor; how they built an inclusive and equitable writers' room; and how television, and the world, is better off when we learn from history.</p> <p><strong>Sierra Teller Ornelas</strong> is a Navajo and Mexican American writer, producer, and showrunner whose long list of past credits includes BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, SUPERSTORE, and SPLITTING UP TOGETHER.</p> <p><strong>Mike Schur</strong> is a writer, producer, and actor who is probably best known as the co-creator of PARKS AND RECREATION and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE, the creator of THE GOOD PLACE, as well as a writer on THE OFFICE and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE – among other things.</p> <p>Their latest project is the sitcom RUTHERFORD FALLS. The series—which was co-created by Ornelas, Schur, and Ed Helms, and for which Ornelas is showrunner—follows Nathan Rutherford and Reagan Wells, two lifelong friends who find themselves at a crossroads, quite literally, when their sleepy town gets an unexpected wake-up call. The complete first season premiered on April 22 and is available to stream on Peacock.</p> <p>--</p> <p><strong>Read shownotes, transcripts, and other member interviews:</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.onwriting.org/">www.onwriting.org/</a></p> <p>--</p> <p><strong>Follow the Guild on social media:</strong><br /> Twitter: @OnWritingWGAE | @WGAEast<br /> Facebook: /WGAEast<br /> Instagram: @WGAEast</p>