No one really understands show runners except other show runners, and one of the few windows into their world is Twitter.
Their short bursts of electric thought are among the only ways people outside their job get to see their creative processes, frustrations, and thoughts on each other's shows. It's no surprise many of the best show runners can't spare the time for Twitter. But for those that do, it's a way to vent and interact with fans -- and each other.
Take this recent exchange between "Community" creator Dan Harmon and “Modern Family” co-show runner Steve Levitan, in which a compliment leads to the airing of an old grievance and a quick online détente:
Levitan to Harmon:I thought tonight's “Community” was amazing. Congrats to all involved.
Harmon to Levitan: Thank you, sir. We love your show and when I get drunk I get mad at you for saying you "even admire elements" of ours.
Levitan to Harmon: Yeah, I don't blame you - didn't come out the way I intended at all. A sincere compliment gone wrong. Haven't missed many eps.
So here we go, 15 show runners worth following:
Also see our previous guides: 25 Film & TV Writers You Must Follow on Twitter, 25 Movie Stars Worth Their Tweets, 30 Must-Follow Movie Insiders, 30 Must-Follow Music Insiders, 50 Must-Follow TV Insiders, 25 Must-Follow Media Insiders, 25 Must-Follow TV Superfans)
1. Kurt Sutter
@sutterink
“Sons of Anarchy”
Why Follow: The gold standard of show runner tweets. Cantankerous, honest, never dull. His ongoing back-and-forth with Shawn Ryan is a bonus, and he’s not afraid to speak freely about other shows.
Sample Tweet: “If Dexter was my show he'd be f---ing his sister by now... perhaps that would have saved the marriage... perhaps not.”
Be Prepared For: Not a lot of wondering what Sutter really thinks.
2. Dan Harmon
@danharmon
"Community"
Why Follow: Great engagement with his readers, even when he’s calling critics poop faces, and a mastery of hash-tag humor.
Sample Tweet:"Robocop (of Penis) #FumbledPornTitles"
Be Prepared For: Like we said in our list of film and TV writers you must follow: #WeirdHash-TagUsage.
3. Hart Hanson
@harthanson
“Bones”
Why Follow: His bio really nails it: “Creator of TV series BONES, Canadian, married with two sons, slightly cranky.” Look for tweets about the show, his family life, and the Great White North – with the occasional NHL-worthy sharp elbow.
Sample Tweet: “Johnny Depp is starting to look like my Aunt Jeanne. Which leads me to suspect he likes liquor and cigarettes quite a bit.”
Be Prepared For: Personal stuff. (“I should be working on the spinoff script but I'm reading a novel and acting as referee while the family plays Scrabble.
