Hello and welcome. My name is John August. Oh, my name is Craig Mason.

And this is episode 588 of Script Notes, a podcast about screenwriting and things that are

interesting to screenwriters. Today on the show, what happens when a beloved character

leaves a long running program? How should writers think about replacing them and does it

have to change the fundamental dynamics? We'll look at examples from the past 50 years

and the past two days because Craig, I have to tell you something. Mega Rao, our producer,

she's gone. Now, when you say she's gone, is she dead? She's not dead at all. It's actually

very good news. She's been staffed on a television program. So she's now on the writing

staff of a show. We're so excited and happy for her. But also sad that she's not here to

laugh at all your jokes and be awesome. Yeah. So basically, we're going to go back to

the old days where I say something that I think is legitimately funny. And then there's

just weird, creepy, silent pause. Well, I have to tip my hat to the great Mega Rao. We've

had a lot of terrific producers along the way. A lot of people doing excellent work.

Obviously, the legendary steward kind of. The legislature for now. You know, Mega

Rao, here's a question for you, John. It's related to Mega Rao. You watched that

on a night live. I see. Of course. And you have for for so long, like so many of us.

Most valuable player. And the whale define it is the person that.

Keenan. So there's quality and length. So we're going to use two, two thing. Now you can

absolutely say, Keenan, but I just want to give you the, it's how good and for how long.

And so you're saying Keenan. I don't think you can talk Keenan Thompson. I think he

was the glue that has held together through so many cast changes. That's my guess. But

tell me who you think is the, that MVP there. For me, the MVP is Kristen Wig. She was amazing.

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