Chuck Lorre

In his three-hour interview, Chuck Lorre discusses his path from songwriter/musician to show creator/producer. He describes his childhood in Long Island, his college years at SUNY Potsdam, and being a guitar player/songwriter. He talks of his success writing songs like "French Kissin' in the U.S.A" and co-writing the theme song to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He shares how he got his start in television with DIC animation. Lorre speaks of writing for several animated shows, including Jim Henson's Muppet Babies, and recalls his first non-animated script that got picked up -- for Charles in Charge. He discusses writing for My Two Dads and Roseanne, and recounts his experiences co-creating Grace Under Fire and Dharma & Greg. He details the creation and casting of Two and a Half Men and comments on the controversy surrounding seasons 8 and 9 of the show. He also discusses the creation and casting of The Big Bang Theory and Mike and Molly. Lorre shares what he's learned about the business of show business and defines what makes a "Chuck Lorre show." Nancy Harrington conducted the interview on February 25, 2012 in Pacific Palisades, CA.