John Frink
Encyclopedia
John Frink is an American television writer and producer. He has written several episodes of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons
, many of which he co-wrote with his former writing partner Don Payne. Frink and Payne started their career in television writing for the short-lived sitcom Hope and Gloria
. They wrote their first episode of The Simpsons in 2000, and Frink still works on the show as a writer and executive producer.
. A graduate of Emerson College
in Boston, Massachusetts, he holds a degree in creative writing
. Frink began his career as a writer for several sitcoms together with his writing partner at the time, Don Payne. The two met at UCLA, where Frink was the boss of the Media Laboratory in which Payne worked. Payne has said to the website TheFutonCritic.com that "one day we were both trying to write individually so I said, 'why don't we pool our resources and write together and see what happens?'" In 2006, Payne told the Los Angeles Times
that "I hooked up with a writing partner, John Frink, out of college. I wanted to do films. He wanted to do television." The pair reached the agreement that they would pursue a career in the medium that they first got a job offer in—whether it be film or television. They eventually ended up writing for television sitcoms such as Hope and Gloria
(1995–1996) and The Brian Benben Show
(1998). These sitcoms were short-lived and Payne has deemed them as failures.
", which they co-wrote. "Treehouse of Horror XI
", another 2000 episode they wrote, was broadcast earlier than "Insane Clown Poppy", but was produced after. Payne said in an interview with TV Squad in 2006 that "My partner and I were actually working on one of a long string of failed sitcoms (and most sitcoms are failed sitcoms!) On the day a show is officially cancelled, it's kind of a tradition for the writing staff to go out to a restaurant, eat a nice meal, and drown their sorrows. On the way there, a writer named Jace Richdale
(who had also worked on The Simpsons) told my partner and me that The Simpsons was looking for some writers. He wanted to know if we'd be interested in it, because he would recommend us. My jaw literally dropped. So he contacted the show-runner, a guy named Mike Scully
, who read our spec script
and met with us, then hired us on."
After a few years of working on The Simpsons together, Frink and Payne's writing partnership ended. They both continued to work on the show, though, and Payne has described their split-up as amicable. The first episode Frink wrote on his own was season fifteen's "Bart-Mangled Banner
" (2004). Since the twenty-first season of The Simpsons (2009–2010), he has been credited as an executive producer.
The Simpsons character Professor Frink
, a The Nutty Professor
-esque scientist, was named after Frink, although the character was introduced before he was hired as a writer on the show.
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, many of which he co-wrote with his former writing partner Don Payne. Frink and Payne started their career in television writing for the short-lived sitcom Hope and Gloria
Hope and Gloria
Hope and Gloria is an American sitcom produced by Warner Bros. Television and aired on NBC from March 9, 1995, through June 22, 1996. The show was canceled after 35 episodes...
. They wrote their first episode of The Simpsons in 2000, and Frink still works on the show as a writer and executive producer.
Early life and career
Frink was born in 1964 in Whitesboro, New YorkWhitesboro, New York
Whitesboro is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. United States. The population was 3,943 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Hugh White, an early settler.The Village of Whitesboro is inside the Town of Whitestown....
. A graduate of Emerson College
Emerson College
Emerson College is a private coeducational university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a "school of oratory," Emerson is "the only comprehensive college or university in America dedicated exclusively to communication and the arts in a liberal arts...
in Boston, Massachusetts, he holds a degree in creative writing
Creative writing
Creative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
. Frink began his career as a writer for several sitcoms together with his writing partner at the time, Don Payne. The two met at UCLA, where Frink was the boss of the Media Laboratory in which Payne worked. Payne has said to the website TheFutonCritic.com that "one day we were both trying to write individually so I said, 'why don't we pool our resources and write together and see what happens?'" In 2006, Payne told the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
that "I hooked up with a writing partner, John Frink, out of college. I wanted to do films. He wanted to do television." The pair reached the agreement that they would pursue a career in the medium that they first got a job offer in—whether it be film or television. They eventually ended up writing for television sitcoms such as Hope and Gloria
Hope and Gloria
Hope and Gloria is an American sitcom produced by Warner Bros. Television and aired on NBC from March 9, 1995, through June 22, 1996. The show was canceled after 35 episodes...
(1995–1996) and The Brian Benben Show
The Brian Benben Show
The Brian Benben Show is an American sitcom that aired on CBS on Mondays from September 21, 1998 to October 12, 1998.-Premise:The show centered on Brian Benben, an anchor on KYLA-TV news in Los Angeles, who was replaced in favor of a younger person...
(1998). These sitcoms were short-lived and Payne has deemed them as failures.
Further career
Frink and Payne joined the writing staff of the animated sitcom The Simpsons in 2000 with the season twelve episode "Insane Clown PoppyInsane Clown Poppy
"Insane Clown Poppy" is the third episode of the twelfth season of The Simpsons. It aired on November 12, 2000 in the US. In the episode, during an outdoor book fair, Krusty finds out he has a daughter , but loses her trust after gambling away her violin to Fat Tony, prompting Homer and Krusty to...
", which they co-wrote. "Treehouse of Horror XI
Treehouse of Horror XI
"Treehouse of Horror XI" is the first episode of The Simpsons twelfth season and the 249th overall, and the eleventh Halloween episode. The episode features "G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad", "Scary Tales Can Come True" and "Night of the Dolphin" and was written by Rob LaZebnik , John Frink and Don Payne and...
", another 2000 episode they wrote, was broadcast earlier than "Insane Clown Poppy", but was produced after. Payne said in an interview with TV Squad in 2006 that "My partner and I were actually working on one of a long string of failed sitcoms (and most sitcoms are failed sitcoms!) On the day a show is officially cancelled, it's kind of a tradition for the writing staff to go out to a restaurant, eat a nice meal, and drown their sorrows. On the way there, a writer named Jace Richdale
Jace Richdale
Jace Richdale is an American producer and writer. He served as co-executive producer for seasons 5 and 6 of The Simpsons and wrote the season five episode "Burns' Heir". He was a part of the Simpsons writing staff during seasons 5, 6, 9 and 10. Other writing credits include Family Ties, Get a Life...
(who had also worked on The Simpsons) told my partner and me that The Simpsons was looking for some writers. He wanted to know if we'd be interested in it, because he would recommend us. My jaw literally dropped. So he contacted the show-runner, a guy named Mike Scully
Mike Scully
Mike Scully is an American television writer and producer. He is known for his work as executive producer and showrunner of the animated sitcom The Simpsons from 1997 to 2001. Scully grew up in West Springfield, Massachusetts and long had an interest in writing. He was an underachiever at school...
, who read our spec script
Spec script
A spec script, also known as a speculative screenplay, is a non-commissioned unsolicited screenplay. It is usually written by a screenwriter who hopes to have the script optioned and eventually purchased by a producer, production company, or studio....
and met with us, then hired us on."
After a few years of working on The Simpsons together, Frink and Payne's writing partnership ended. They both continued to work on the show, though, and Payne has described their split-up as amicable. The first episode Frink wrote on his own was season fifteen's "Bart-Mangled Banner
Bart-Mangled Banner
"Bart-Mangled Banner" is the twenty-first episode from The Simpsons fifteenth season. It aired on May 16, 2004 on FOX.-Plot:Homer and Marge take the kids to get their shots. Just before Dr. Hibbert is about to inject Bart, he escapes. After a chase through town, Hibbert finally outsmarts Bart and...
" (2004). Since the twenty-first season of The Simpsons (2009–2010), he has been credited as an executive producer.
The Simpsons character Professor Frink
Professor Frink
Professor John Nerdelbaum Frink, Jr., or simply Professor Frink, is a recurring character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Hank Azaria, and first appeared in the 1991 episode "Old Money". Frink is Springfield's nerdy scientist and professor and is extremely...
, a The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor
The Nutty Professor is a 1963 Paramount Pictures science fiction comedy feature film produced, directed, co-written and starring Jerry Lewis...
-esque scientist, was named after Frink, although the character was introduced before he was hired as a writer on the show.
Awards
Frink has won several awards for his work on The Simpsons. He has also received several award nominations.| Year | Award | Category | Series | Notes | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Primetime Emmy Award Primetime Emmy Award The Primetime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming... |
Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour) The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program is a Creative Arts Emmy Award which is given annually to an animated series which is judged to have been the best... |
The Simpsons | As producer | ||
| 2001 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As producer | ||
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As supervising producer | ||
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2003 | Writers Guild of America Award Writers Guild of America Award The Writers Guild of America Award for outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949... |
Animation | The Simpsons | For the episode "The Bart Wants What It Wants The Bart Wants What It Wants "The Bart Wants What it Wants" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons thirteenth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 17, 2002. In the episode, Bart befriends Rainier Wolfcastle's daughter, Greta... " |
||
| 2004 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2005 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2006 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2006 | Writers Guild of America Award | Animation | The Simpsons | For the episode "The Girl Who Slept Too Little The Girl Who Slept Too Little "The Girl Who Slept Too Little" is the second episode of The Simpsons seventeenth season, which originally broadcast on September 18, 2005. 9.79 million viewers watched the episode.-Plot:... " |
||
| 2007 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2007 | Writers Guild of America Award | Animation | The Simpsons | For the episode "The Italian Bob The Italian Bob "The Italian Bob" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons seventeenth season. It features Kelsey Grammer in his ninth appearance as Sideshow Bob and is the first time the Simpsons visit Italy.-Plot:... " |
||
| 2008 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2008 | Writers Guild of America Award | Animation | The Simpsons | For the episode "Stop, or My Dog Will Shoot!" | ||
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2009 | Writers Guild of America Award | Comedy series | The Simpsons | As a member of the writing staff | ||
| 2010 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As co-executive producer | ||
| 2010 | Writers Guild of America Award | Animation | The Simpsons | For the episode "Eeny Teeny Maya, Moe" | ||
| 2010 | Annie Award Annie Award The Annie Awards have been presented by the Los Angeles, California branch of the International Animated Film Association, ASIFA-Hollywood since 1972... |
Writing in a Television Production | The Simpsons | For the episode "Stealing First Base Stealing First Base "Stealing First Base" is the fifteenth episode of The Simpsons twenty-first season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 21, 2010. In this episode, Bart falls in love with a girl named Nikki from a second fourth grade class, but when he kisses her, Nikki begins... " |
||
| 2011 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) | The Simpsons | As executive producer and writer of the episode "Angry Dad: The Movie Angry Dad: The Movie "Angry Dad: The Movie" is the fourteenth episode of The Simpsons twenty-second season. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 20, 2011... " |
Credits
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Hope and Gloria Hope and Gloria Hope and Gloria is an American sitcom produced by Warner Bros. Television and aired on NBC from March 9, 1995, through June 22, 1996. The show was canceled after 35 episodes... |
Writer | Co-wrote the episode "A Fine ROM-ance" |
| 1995 | Pride & Joy Pride & Joy (TV series) Pride & Joy, is an American comedy series that aired on NBC in 1995. The series revolved around a Manhattan couple with a newborn son, Greg and Amy Sherman , and a couple across the hall, Nathan and Carol Green . The series soon folded after one season.... |
Writer | Co-wrote the episode "Brenda's Secret" |
| 1995–1996 | Can't Hurry Love Can't Hurry Love Can't Hurry Love is a US sitcom that ran for less than five months between September 1995 and February 1996.The show starred Nancy McKeon as a 20-something placement coordinator at a New York City personnel agency. McKeon plays Annie O'Donnell, a single career woman living in New York City and... |
Writer | Co-wrote the episodes "Annie Get Your Armoire", "Glove Story", and "Valentine's Day Massacred" |
| 1997 | Men Behaving Badly Men Behaving Badly (U.S. TV series) Men Behaving Badly is an American sitcom that ran on NBC from 1996 to 1997. It was based on the earlier British sitcom of the same name.... |
Writer | Co-wrote the episodes "Wet Nurse" and "Playing Doctor" |
| 1997 | Veronica's Closet Veronica's Closet Veronica's Closet is a sitcom which aired on NBC from September 25, 1997, to June 27, 2000.The show starred Kirstie Alley as Veronica “Ronnie” Chase, the head of her own lingerie company.- Season one :... |
Co-producer | Co-produced the episode "Veronica's First Thanksgiving" |
| 1998 | The Brian Benben Show The Brian Benben Show The Brian Benben Show is an American sitcom that aired on CBS on Mondays from September 21, 1998 to October 12, 1998.-Premise:The show centered on Brian Benben, an anchor on KYLA-TV news in Los Angeles, who was replaced in favor of a younger person... |
Writer and producer | Co-wrote the episode "House of Blues" |
| 2000–present | The Simpsons The Simpsons The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie... |
Writer and producer | For a list of episodes written, see below |
| 2007 | The Simpsons Movie The Simpsons Movie The Simpsons Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film based on the animated television series The Simpsons. The film was directed by David Silverman, and stars the regular television cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Tress... |
Consultant writer |
The Simpsons episodes
| Title | Season | Airdate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Treehouse of Horror XI Treehouse of Horror XI "Treehouse of Horror XI" is the first episode of The Simpsons twelfth season and the 249th overall, and the eleventh Halloween episode. The episode features "G-G-Ghost D-D-Dad", "Scary Tales Can Come True" and "Night of the Dolphin" and was written by Rob LaZebnik , John Frink and Don Payne and... " |
12 | 2000 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "Insane Clown Poppy Insane Clown Poppy "Insane Clown Poppy" is the third episode of the twelfth season of The Simpsons. It aired on November 12, 2000 in the US. In the episode, during an outdoor book fair, Krusty finds out he has a daughter , but loses her trust after gambling away her violin to Fat Tony, prompting Homer and Krusty to... " |
12 | 2000 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "Bye Bye Nerdie Bye Bye Nerdie "Bye Bye Nerdie" is the sixteenth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 11, 2001. In the episode, when she becomes the target of a female bully, Lisa discovers a scientific reason as to why... " |
12 | 2001 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "Simpsons Tall Tales Simpsons Tall Tales "Simpsons Tall Tales" is the twenty-first episode and season finale of The Simpsons twelfth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 20, 2001. In the episode, Homer refuses to pay a five dollar airport tax to fly to Delaware, which forces the family to ride in a... " |
12 | 2001 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "Treehouse of Horror XII Treehouse of Horror XII “Treehouse of Horror XII” is the first episode of The Simpsons thirteenth season. Because of Fox’s contract with Major League Baseball’s World Series, the episode first aired on the Fox Network in the United States on November 6, 2001, nearly one week after Halloween. It is the twelfth annual... " |
13 | 2001 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "The Bart Wants What It Wants The Bart Wants What It Wants "The Bart Wants What it Wants" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons thirteenth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 17, 2002. In the episode, Bart befriends Rainier Wolfcastle's daughter, Greta... " |
13 | 2002 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "The Bart Wants What It Wants The Bart Wants What It Wants "The Bart Wants What it Wants" is the eleventh episode of The Simpsons thirteenth season. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 17, 2002. In the episode, Bart befriends Rainier Wolfcastle's daughter, Greta... " |
14 | 2002 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "Old Yeller Belly Old Yeller Belly "Old Yeller Belly" is the nineteenth episode of the fourteenth season of The Simpsons. It aired on May 4, 2003.-Plot:Bart and his friends in his treehouse try to eavesdrop on Lisa and her friends having a tea party, and the treehouse gets destroyed in the ensuing fight... " |
14 | 2003 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "The Wandering Juvie The Wandering Juvie The Wandering Juvie" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons fifteenth season. The episode aired on March 28, 2004. It guest starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as Gina Vendetti.-Plot:... " |
15 | 2004 | Co-written by Don Payne |
| "Bart-Mangled Banner Bart-Mangled Banner "Bart-Mangled Banner" is the twenty-first episode from The Simpsons fifteenth season. It aired on May 16, 2004 on FOX.-Plot:Homer and Marge take the kids to get their shots. Just before Dr. Hibbert is about to inject Bart, he escapes. After a chase through town, Hibbert finally outsmarts Bart and... " |
15 | 2004 | |
| "The Girl Who Slept Too Little The Girl Who Slept Too Little "The Girl Who Slept Too Little" is the second episode of The Simpsons seventeenth season, which originally broadcast on September 18, 2005. 9.79 million viewers watched the episode.-Plot:... " |
17 | 2005 | |
| "The Italian Bob The Italian Bob "The Italian Bob" is the eighth episode of The Simpsons seventeenth season. It features Kelsey Grammer in his ninth appearance as Sideshow Bob and is the first time the Simpsons visit Italy.-Plot:... " |
17 | 2005 | |
| "All About Lisa All About Lisa "All About Lisa" is the twentieth episode and season finale of The Simpsons nineteenth season, and first aired on May 18, 2008. Lisa Simpson becomes Krusty the Clown's newest assistant and steals his spotlight. She wins Entertainer of the Year at the Springfield Media awards, but is warned that... " |
19 | 2008 | |
| "Lost Verizon Lost Verizon "Lost Verizon" is the second episode of The Simpsons twentieth season, and first aired October 5, 2008. Bart becomes jealous of his friends and their cell phones. Working at a golf course, Bart takes the cell phone of Denis Leary after the star comedian throws it away in anger... " |
20 | 2008 | |
| "Eeny Teeny Maya Moe Eeny Teeny Maya Moe "Eeny Teeny Maya Moe" is the sixteenth episode of the The Simpsons twentieth season. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 5, 2009. Moe falls in love with a woman named Maya, whom he met over the Internet. When Moe meets her in person, she turns out to be a dwarf. Moe remains in... " |
20 | 2009 | |
| "Stealing First Base Stealing First Base "Stealing First Base" is the fifteenth episode of The Simpsons twenty-first season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 21, 2010. In this episode, Bart falls in love with a girl named Nikki from a second fourth grade class, but when he kisses her, Nikki begins... " |
21 | 2010 | |
| "The Bob Next Door The Bob Next Door "The Bob Next Door" is the twenty-second episode of The Simpsons twenty-first season and the 463rd episode overall on Fox Broadcasting Company... " |
21 | 2010 | |
| "Angry Dad: The Movie Angry Dad: The Movie "Angry Dad: The Movie" is the fourteenth episode of The Simpsons twenty-second season. It aired on the Fox network in the United States on February 20, 2011... " |
22 | 2011 | |
| "500 Keys 500 Keys "500 Keys" is the twenty-first episode of the twenty-second season of The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on May 15, 2011. It was written by John Frink and directed by Bob Anderson.-Plot:... " |
22 | 2011 | |