How to Academy: Chuck Lorre with Billy Gardell

Presented by How To Academy. About the Event: Ever wonder what it’s like to spend decades making millions of strangers laugh — while trying not to lose your mind in the process? One of the most successful showrunners in TV history, Chuck Lorre didn’t just write jokes. He built entire worlds out of dysfunction, longing, and the kind of human messiness that mainstream TV usually tidies away. In this candid conversation, Chuck will pull back the curtain on what it takes to make more than two and a half thousand hours of TV: He’ll take us behind the glossy Hollywood façade, with stories of addiction (both his own and that of his famous colleagues), failed marriages, and disastrous life choices – all of which became fuel for classic TV comedy. Don’t miss an evening of stories about creative triumphs, public failures, legendary collaborators, and the unexpected turns that transformed a struggling musician into one of Hollywood’s most influential storytellers. About the Speaker: Chuck Lorre is an award-winning television writer, producer, and director best known as the creative force behind some of the most successful sitcoms of the past three decades, including The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, The Kominsky Method, Young Sheldon, Dharma & Greg, Mom, and Mike & Molly.His shows have earned dozens of Emmy nominations, Golden Globes, and billions of viewers worldwide. About the Interlocutor: Billy Gardell starred in the CBS series Bob Hearts Abishola, and Mike & Molly, alongside Melissa McCarthy. Both shows from award-winning creator, executive producer and writer Chuck Lorre. In addition, he starred as Col. Tom Parker in the CMT series Sun Records and had a recurring role the CBS hit series Young Sheldon. In 2016, he received a daytime Emmy nomination as best gameshow host for Monopoly Millionaires Club. Before Mike & Molly, Gardell co-starred in the critically acclaimed television series Lucky. His other television credits include Yes Dear and Judging Amy, on the Network, My Name is Earl, The Practice, Monk and Gary the Rat. A native of Pittsburgh who currently lives in Los Angeles, Gardell loves Steeler football, stand-up comedy and his wife Patty, and son Will.