Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Bill Lawrence, the showrunner behind Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking, explains his creative process, from finding the emotional core of a story to surviving writer's block, writing through a pandemic, and building shows that can make you laugh one second and gut-punch you the next.
Fast Company is the world's leading progressive business media brand, with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, and design.
00:00 Intro
00:08 The nightmare that became a show.
01:02 Broad comedy, sharp turns.
01:59 Let the actors own it.
04:35 Grief, but make it comedy.
05:41 How to get unstuck.
06:47 When Steve Carell says yes.
09:45 Love these shows, can’t write them.
Follow us on:
facebook.com/FastCompany
twitter.com/FastCompany
instagram.com/fastcompany
linkedin.com/company/fast-company
Bill Lawrence, the showrunner behind Scrubs, Ted Lasso, and Shrinking, explains his creative process, from finding the emotional core of a story to surviving writer's block, writing through a pandemic, and building shows that can make you laugh one second and gut-punch you the next.
Fast Company is the world's leading progressive business media brand, with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, and design.
00:00 Intro
00:08 The nightmare that became a show.
01:02 Broad comedy, sharp turns.
01:59 Let the actors own it.
04:35 Grief, but make it comedy.
05:41 How to get unstuck.
06:47 When Steve Carell says yes.
09:45 Love these shows, can’t write them.
Follow us on:
facebook.com/FastCompany
twitter.com/FastCompany
instagram.com/fastcompany
linkedin.com/company/fast-company
