2005 Award Recipient

The Animation Writers Caucus (AWC) of the Writers Guild of America, west will present its eighth annual Animation Writing Award for lifetime achievement in the medium to veteran animation writers Al Jean and Michael Reiss at its annual reception held Wednesday, November 9, 2005, at WGAw headquarters in Los Angeles.

“Mike and Al have been have been friends and colleagues of mine for over 25 years, since our childhood playing together in the schoolyard at Harvard. Presenting this award is a proud testament to the highest achievement in both animation writing and blatant cronyism,” said WGAw President Patric M. Verrone, who will be on hand to present the award.

“The talents and abilities of Al Jean and Mike Reiss go without saying. Everyone knows how much they've contributed to the quality of the animated series they've worked on. Less well known are their efforts and involvement in bettering conditions and circumstances for their fellow writers. For all of that, they are to be congratulated - and made fun of,” said AWC Chair Craig Miller.

Longtime animation writers and frequent writing partners, AWC award co-recipients Jean and Reiss continue to be prolific within the television animation industry, as well as film and literary worlds, having penned hundreds of hours of award-winning animated programming over the years.

Jean is currently executive producer/showrunner of ever-popular, award-winning animated hit series The Simpsons, where he has worked since the show first launched on Fox in 1989, credited on over 300 Simpsons episodes, winning six Emmys and a Peabody Award for his work on the long-running series. Jean co-created the animated series The Critic (with Reiss), as well as serving as producer on Emmy-nominated series The PJs. Jean's non-animated TV credits include It's Garry Shandling's Show, Alf, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Graduating from Harvard in 1981, Jean was formerly vice president of the college's The Harvard Lampoon.

During his 15 years writing for The Simpsons, Reiss has won four Emmys and a Peabody Award for his creative contributions to the successful series. Along with co-creating The Critic, Reiss also created Showtime's hit cartoon series Queer Duck, which earned rave reviews from The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, the gay press, and even Howard Stern, named one of the “100 Greatest Cartoons of All Time” by the BBC. (A feature film is slated to be released in 2006.) Reiss' other notable non-animation TV writing credits include It's Garry Shandling's Show, The PJs, and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Reiss' original dramatic screenplay, Fat Man, is currently in development with Adam Sandler attached to star.

In addition, his caveman detective story, Cro-Magnon P.I., won an Edgar Award as Best First Mystery, and Reiss' best-selling children's book How Murray Saved Christmas, will soon be a feature film from Nickelodeon. Other children's books penned by Reiss include The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln, Santa Claustrophobia, and the award-winning Late for School. Reiss is also a frequent contributor to Esquire, Games Magazine, and Modern Humorist, among other publications. Earlier in his career, he was president of The Harvard Lampoon, as well as editor of The National Lampoon.

Founded in 1994, the WGAw Animation Writers Caucus represents over 600 animation writers and works to advance economic and creative conditions in the field.  Through organizing efforts, educational events, and networking opportunities, the Caucus is a leading proponent for animation writers.

The Writers Guild of America, west represents writers in the motion picture, broadcast, cable, and new media industries in both entertainment and news. The union conducts numerous programs, seminars, and events throughout the world on issues of interest to, and on behalf of, writers.