Paul Simms

Paul Simms (born 1966) is an American television writer and producer. He is known for creating NewsRadio and contributing to The Larry Sanders Show, Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows, and Atlanta.

Early life and career

Simms spent much of his childhood living abroad in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia where his parents were school teachers. He later returned to the United States and graduated from Harvard University where he wrote for the Harvard Lampoon and was a part-time student security guard, often during the night shift. After graduating, he worked for Spy magazine from 1988 to 1990.

Television

He began his career in television writing for Late Night with David Letterman in 1990. Simms later wrote for the HBO program The Larry Sanders Show. He was the creator and head writer for the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, a workplace comedy. More recently, he has directed and produced the HBO series Flight of the Conchords and the FX series Atlanta. He has contributed pieces to The New Yorker and also wrote a sitcom pilot, Beach Lane, starring Matthew Broderick, for executive producer Lorne Michaels. His production company is 343 Incorporated. In 2017, he signed a deal with FX.

Filmography Year Title Role 1990–1992 Late Night with David Letterman Writer 1992–1994 The Larry Sanders Show Writer, executive producer, executive story editor 1995–1999 NewsRadio Creator, writer, executive producer 2007–2009 Flight of the Conchords Writer, consulting producer, director 2009 Wainy Days Writer, director 2009 Bored to Death Consultant producer 2010 Boardwalk Empire Writer 2014 Short Poppies Consulting producer 2014–2015 Girls Writer, co-executive producer/executive producer 2016–2022 Atlanta Executive producer 2016 Divorce Writer, executive producer 2019–2024 What We Do in the Shadows Writer, executive producer 2024–2025 English Teacher Writer, executive producer