Fail Better with David Duchovny Fail Again: Failure-ish with Kenya Barris
Jan 6, 2026
Kenya Barris, the creative force behind 'Black-ish', explores the art of storytelling and the impact of fatherhood on his work. He shares his journey through eighteen failed pilots, emphasizing the lessons learned along the way. In a candid discussion, Kenya reflects on the responsibilities of writers, the essence of comedic structure, and the transformative power of actors. His insights on navigating divorce and the moral complexities in art resonate deeply, revealing how personal experiences enrich his storytelling.
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Episode notes
Write Your Voice, Honor Each Character
- Keep your voice consistent but make each character distinct so they remain individual people.
- Use weekly TV writing to learn how actors shape and define your show's voice.
Jason Alexander's Tough Love Moment
- Kenya recounts Jason Alexander calling a script 'not it' before a table read, then delivering a show-stealing performance.
- The story shows how great actors both elevate material and can sense when structure is off.
Write For The Actor, Not Just The Page
- Acting taught Kenya to write with physical performance and blocked reality in mind.
- Test dialogue and blocking for what a real actor can do, not just clever lines on a page.