james andrew miller
writer, producer, executive, media consultant
James Andrew Miller is an award-winning journalist, media consultant, and author of five best-selling books -- Live From New York, An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live; Those Guys Have All the Fun, Inside the World of ESPN; Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers; Powerhouse, The Untold Story of Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency, and Running in Place: Inside the Senate.
Since 2018, he has also been the host of the critically acclaimed podcast Origins with James Andrew Miller
Jim got his start as a member of the Television Reporting Team at The Washington Post before becoming Special Assistant and Chief Speechwriter to Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker. He went on to work both in news – as a producer for CBS News in Washington, D.C. and the Senior Executive Producer of Anderson Cooper 360 -- and in show business where he served as Vice President of Norman Lear’s ACT III Communications and later, Executive Vice President of Original Programming for USA Network.
He has written for the op-ed pages of The Washington Post and The New York Times, as well as writing a three part investigative series for The New York Times, articles for The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Vanity Fair, Grantland, Newsweek, The Daily Beast, Salon, The Harvard Journal on Legislation, and others. He was also a Contributing Editor for The Hollywood Reporter.
Jim received his bachelor’s degree in political science and economics at Occidental College; an M. Litt. from Oxford University, and an MBA from Harvard University, all with honors.
Books
Running in Place: Inside the Senate
By James Andrew Miller
Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests
By James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN
By James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales
Powerhouse CAA: The Untold Story of Hollywood’s Creative Artists Agency
By James Andrew Miller
Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers
By James Andrew Miller
Origins Podcast
Have you ever wondered how the unheard-of idea for a great new TV series was first heard of? Or when a band came together and turned music on its ear? Or why did an incredibly popular movie get made despite itself? And who wouldn’t want to hear about these magical moments— directly from the people who created their magic? I’m James Andrew Miller, author of best-selling oral histories of ESPN, Saturday Night Live, CAA— the Creative Artists Agency, and HBO, and I want to introduce you to a new podcast called Origins in which I’ll take you back to the beginnings of the most iconic movies, television shows, record albums, media companies, and more as we relive indelible turning points that went down in cultural history and changed it— arguably, forever. Remember the saying, “You had to be there”? Now you will be.
Articles
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Lorne Again
Taking stock of the ‘Saturday Night Live’ paterfamilias, stronger than ever at 70
by James Andrew Miller
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A Problem of Churchillian Proportions
The inside story of the fan who finished William Manchester’s Churchill biography.
by James Andrew Miller
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You Don't Understand What This Is Doing to Me
Gandolfini Agonistes.
by James Andrew Miller
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Why Larry David Took 17 Years to Make Nine Seasons of "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
One of the most critically adored TV comedies in recent history comes and goes as it pleases. Why its production schedule is as singular as its creator.
by James Andrew Miller
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John Skipper Details His ESPN Exit and a Cocaine Extortion Plot
The former network chief goes public in an exclusive interview about the real reason behind his abrupt departure from Disney after 27 years, a confession to Bob Iger, and his hope to work in sports media again.
by James Andrew Miller
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James Andrew Miller: CAA’s Michael Ovitz Writes His Memoir — And Re-Writes Hollywood History
James Andrew Miller calls into question some of the retelling of events in 'Who Is Michael Ovitz?' and offers his take on Ovitz's new book.
by James Andrew Miller
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The Anthony Pellicano Prison Interview: Hollywood’s Notorious Fixer on His Victims, Enablers and a Coming Release
With just a year to go in his sentence for wiretapping and other crimes, Pellicano speaks for the first time in detail about star clients like Michael Jackson and the late studio chief Brad Grey, those who turned their backs on him ("Rats are worse than child molesters") and his showbiz legacy ("People got away with a lot because of me").
by James Andrew Miller
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Why ESPN Gave Director Ezra Edelman Nearly Eight Hours for O.J.: Made in America
The filmmaker has crafted one of the best films of the year: a seven-plus hour documentary that uses the O.J. Simpson case to examine race, social justice, and America itself.
by James Andrew Miller
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Inside Keith Olbermann's Shockingly Civil ESPN Exit
For the first time in his career, the feisty anchor exited not with a bang but with a whimper.
by James Andrew Miller
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Exclusive: ESPN President John Skipper on His Decision to Shutter Grantland
For the first time since shutting down Grantland, ESPN’s president talks exclusively about the decision to end the site.
by James Andrew Miller
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To Defend Its Comedy Crown, S.N.L. Has to Own the 2016 Election
As the definitive American sketch show enters its fifth decade—and comes off the fanfare of a milestone season—it faces more competition than ever before. The candidates won’t be the only people with something to prove this campaign season.
by James Andrew Miller
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Can ESPN Solve its Grantland Problem?
Months after ousting founder Bill Simmons, a staff exodus may have begun at the once-buzzy sports-and-culture site. What’s a Worldwide Leader to do when a franchise player leaves his franchise behind?
by James Andrew Miller