I don't have personal experience and knowledge about anything but theater. I've been tutored very well on the subject, but ultimately I'm going back to the rules of drama. There are genres that I like as an audience member that I can't write as a writer. I can't write crime, and I like a good thriller as much as anybody.

Just to clarify the division of labor on the show, I write the show and Alan [Poul] does everything else.

You're going to fall down, but the world doesn't care how many times you fall down, as long as it's one fewer than the numbers of times you get back up.

The first step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one - America is not the greatest country in the world anymore.

I think it's up to writers to write stuff that is compelling enough that people want to watch.

When I write something, I want the best director to direct it. And that's not going to be me.

It's nice that HBO is in business with the audience and not with the advertisers. There's a difference.