Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
Guest: James L. Brooks
Episode Date: December 10, 2025
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and humorous episode, Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson reunite with legendary writer, director, and producer James L. Brooks (“Mary Tyler Moore,” “The Simpsons,” “Terms of Endearment,” “Broadcast News”) for an intimate conversation about careers, creativity, mentorship, and the stories behind Brooks’ new film “Ella McKay.” The trio blends deep reflection with old-friend ribbing—sharing industry wisdom, personal anecdotes, and the enduring value of collaboration.
Main Topics & Key Insights
1. James L. Brooks and the Making of "Ella McKay"
- Woody Harrelson stars in Brooks’ upcoming film “Ella McKay,” set for release December 12th.
- Brooks discusses the years-long journey writing the script (over 15 years) and the collaborative process with Woody.
- Woody shares that he lobbied to participate in table reads as Brooks revised the script, emphasizing its continual improvement.
- Woody Harrelson: “I just watched every iteration of the film as you were writing it, and I just felt it just kept getting better and better, better.” (07:19)
- Brooks reveals the personal inspiration behind Woody’s role—his own complicated relationship with his father.
2. Personal Histories, Family, and Creative Drive
- Brooks opens up about his troubled relationship with his father, who struggled with alcoholism and was largely absent.
- Brooks: “He was errant in every way. There were times that my mother worked all the time…he was carousing alcoholic.” (09:39)
- Brooks recounts a pivotal and final encounter with his father, offering to pay him to leave his sister alone—a formative story of family responsibility and emotional scars.
- Brooks: “If I had my life to live over, I’d live it the same way again.” (11:01)
- Ted: “Kind of a fuck you. Fuck you. I’m who I am and I’m not going to change.” (11:24)
3. Creative Process & Collaboration
- Brooks and Woody discuss rehearsal, the value of a supportive set, and building an environment of warmth and trust for actors.
- Ted probes Brooks on his directing style; Brooks highlights the importance of starting each day positively and the need to nurture actors through creative “dips.”
- Brooks: “Starting the day with a warm greeting…I think it helps him a little bit. You sort of build him up.” (07:02)
4. Mentorship, Writer’s Rooms & Industry Reflections
- Discussion of the TV writer’s room as a source of learning and camaraderie.
- Brooks: “To me, the best job in the business is to be on a series that’s working.” (28:20)
- Warm recollections of the “Cheers” and “Taxi” days, including how Ted earned a pivotal guest spot on “Taxi” with Brooks’ backing.
- Ted: “Because you hired me for Taxi…I do believe that I owe you a great deal because obviously that led to Cheers.” (16:36)
5. Career Challenges, Luck, and Artistic Risk
- Brooks returns often to the theme of luck, timing, and catching breaks.
- Brooks: “Luck is as big a part of it…” (22:43)
- Even for legends, insecurity remains: Brooks shares that even after iconic successes, the industry expects ongoing proof—"Maybe two" more films, as one veteran told him.
- Brooks: “How many more will they let me make because of this? …Maybe two.” (35:33)
6. Influential Figures and Mentors
- Brooks reveres heroes like Paddy Chayefsky and John Cassavetes. He shares stories of observing Cassavetes work, describing the communal, intense artistic space he created—calling it “church.”
- Brooks: “I got to hang around with Cassavetes…so supportive, it was just—I’m like a kid and I’m taking this in and I’m seeing heaven.” (53:40)
7. Creative Integrity & “One for Them, One for You”
- The group debates the idea of doing projects “for the studios” versus personal passion; Brooks reflects on his good fortune in rarely needing to compromise.
- Brooks: “There used to be this notion, you know, do one for them…and one for yourself…Yeah, I’ve been spoiled in a really good way.” (50:29, 50:47)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Career Origins & Breaks:
- [03:21] Woody Harrelson: “I realized, like…you sometimes go for years and years and you don’t ask like fundamental questions… you don’t find out these really important details.”
- [23:24] Jim Brooks: “If he had come back to the job, I can imagine…how desolate my life could have been.”
On Working with Actors:
- [07:02] Jim Brooks: “Starting the day with a warm greeting… you sort of build him up.”
- [17:01] Jim Brooks: “Do you remember this? …I just said one word to you…‘fly.’ And you just nodded and you exploded.”
On Family & Inspiration:
- [11:01] Jim Brooks: “If I had my life to live over, I’d live it the same way again. And left.”
- [13:01] Jim Brooks: “My mother and her sister…were, I think, the significant loves in each other’s lives.”
On Mentorship & Collaboration:
- [28:20] Jim Brooks: “The best job in the business is to be on a series that’s working.”
- [53:40] Jim Brooks: “I got to hang around with Cassavetes… it was all—church to, you know. That’s what made it church.”
On Talent & Casting:
- [37:29] Jim Brooks (on Holly Hunter’s “Broadcast News” audition): “She auditioned. She auditioned. She auditioned. Yeah, she auditioned… Thank God. It was all-to-your-knees… the other thing would have changed my life.”
- [43:00] Jim Brooks (on working with Hans Zimmer): “The conversation is different than with any other composer because the conversation is like…you have with a co-writer… the goals are unique. You know what he sees?”
On Self-Consciousness and Creation:
- [49:49] Jim Brooks: “You guys agree it’s the enemy. I mean, self-consciousness is the enemy.”
- [50:29] Jim Brooks: “Do one for them…and one for yourself… Yeah, I’ve been spoiled in a really good way.”
Episode Timeline & Timestamps
| Time | Segment | |----------|-------------| | 00:32 | Jim’s first job in journalism, coffee for Murrow | | 04:38 | How Woody was cast in “Ella McKay” | | 09:39 | Brooks’ family background—father’s absence, mother’s work ethic | | 11:01 | The emotional last encounter with Brooks' father | | 13:29 | The real-life inspirations behind the characters in “Ella McKay” | | 16:06 | Ted’s “Taxi” audition and its ripple effect for “Cheers” | | 17:01 | Brooks’ memorable “fly” direction to Ted | | 22:38 | Brooks on the role of luck and early breaks in his CBS days | | 24:03 | Reflections on Edward R. Murrow and the state of journalism | | 27:03 | The real-life Lou Grant and writers’ rooms as communities | | 35:33 | How many more films does success buy you? | | 37:29 | Holly Hunter’s breakthrough audition for “Broadcast News” | | 42:11 | Collaboration with Hans Zimmer on film scores | | 47:09 | Working relationships with editors and casting crises | | 49:49 | Self-consciousness as the creative enemy; “one for them, one for you” philosophy | | 53:24 | Mentors & heroes: Cassavetes and the spirit of independent film | | 58:25 | Jack Nicholson’s advice for actors: “Whatever the other person is doing is perfect.” | | 62:13 | The code word: “fly” – Brooks’ classic note to actors | | 62:44 | Fond farewells and ongoing admiration among friends |
Final Thoughts & Takeaways
The episode is an engaging, at times poignant, conversation about art, risk, camaraderie, and self-discovery. Brooks, candid and self-effacing, extols the value of mentorship, community, and luck, while Danson and Harrelson bounce between reverence, teasing, and deep reflection. For creative professionals—and fans of iconic television and film—this is a masterclass in storytelling, resilience, and heart.
James L. Brooks: "Self-consciousness is the enemy."
Ted Danson: "All creativity has to—the risk is you want to repeat the success but that you need to start at zero each time."
Woody Harrelson (to Brooks): "And the humor that you…is so original. I just—anyway, I love you and I miss you and I hope you get to see it soon, buddy." (62:44)
For anyone in search of inspiration, insider stories, and the essential ingredient of great work—connection—this episode is a must-listen.