Michael J.S. Murphy (AKA: Mike or Murph) is a WGA writer/Script Coordinator/Writers’ Assistant with 10 produced scripts across multicam, single-cam, animation, and children's television. He most recently wrapped “The Upshaws” with Regina Hicks and Wanda Sykes. Murph is no stranger to working with high-level talent, having also worked with Garry Marshall, Chuck Lorre, Betsy Thomas, Tucker Cawley, and many more. In these rooms and on these sets, he learned story structure, how to support a showrunner’s vision, when to pitch, and where NOT to order lunch.
Murph was also supervising producer on Gabriel Sunday’s mockumentary “Dope State,” which featured the likes of The Lucas Bros., Adrian Grenier, Sam Jay, Dan Harmon, Dino Stamatopoulos, and many more. Murph himself even played a few minor roles! Murph was also the co-creator, writer, director, and executive producer of the now defunct Not A Banana Productions, which featured parodies and sketch videos that garnered thousands of views. These projects helped Murph get gigs directing, producing, and editing several official music videos for bands like Cloud Nothings, Seapony, and others that premiered on sites like FunnyorDie, Pitchfork, and the AV Club.
Murph enjoys watching and writing personal stories explored in huge, comedic ways. Each of his three spec pilots feature his unique, odd, humorous, and existential takes on his crazy life and dysfunctional family. A longtime music-head, Murph and his friend Eric Bobo (percussionist for Cypress Hill) just finished a comedy pitch about an iconic stoner band that helps inspire their man-child friend to finally grow up and go after his career and life dreams.
Murph favors projects that explore things like: failure, regret, mental illness, fear, and dysfunctional family dynamics. He also loves combining these dark ideas with fun and absurd stories. Murph believes the best way to get past the suffering we all go through is to find the humor in it. Inspired by television, especially comedy, at an early age, Lil’ Murph quickly began writing his own stories, eventually shooting some on his dad’s VHS camcorder and editing them with two VCRs. After college, this midwestern misfit moved to LA to fulfill his dreams and never looked back. With his extensive entertainment background, industry relationships, and his own warped yet funny perspective, Murph is ready to make his next move.
Shiny Happy People Drama ⋄ Comedy When a people-pleasing and creative overweight boy struggles to fit in at his new catholic middle school, he battles anxiety, depression, bullies, and his own dysfunctional family while finding happiness and inspiration in the burgeoning '90s alt music scene.
Night of the Living Dad (multicam) Comedy ⋄ Family When the zombie apocalypse begins during their grandma’s wake, a divided family, their estranged father, and the funeral director's household must work together in order to survive -- not only the end of the world, but each other.
Indie Rock Jones Animation ⋄ Comedy When legendary music archaeologist Indie Rock Jones gets called out by his boss and team for becoming an obnoxiously obsessed workaholic, they force our lousy-at-love hero to enter the dating world, so he can balance out his life and make a “meaningful connection” in hopes of finding this thing called “happiness.”
Gabby Duran & The Unsittables
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TV Series
Writer
Glitch Techs
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Merry Happy Whatever
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Dope State
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TV Movie
Producer
Good Game
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
The Odd Couple
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Television
Writer Freelance writer of three episodes
The Odd Couple
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Cloud Nothings: Modern Act
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Music
by Michael J.S. Murphy
Director/Editor/Producer Music video
Total Babes: Heydays
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Music
by Michael J.S. Murphy
Director/Editor/Producer
The Soul Man
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Television
by TV Land
Writer Freelance writer of one episode
Space Daze: Lineup on the Solstice
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Music
by Michael J.S. Murphy
Director/Editor/Producer
Shark?: Savior
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Music
by Michael J.S. Murphy
Director/Editor/Producer
We Are Men
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Whitney
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Mary Shelley's Frankenhole
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TV Series
Additional Crew
Mary Shelley's Frankenhole
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Television
by Adult Swim
Writer Writer of freelance episode
Seapony: Be Alone
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Music
by Michael J.S. Murphy
Director/Editor/Producer
The Pink House
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TV Movie
Script and Continuity Department
Mike & Molly
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
iCarly
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
The Land Pirates
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Video
Writer
The Bill Engvall Show
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
According to Jim
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Television
by ABC
Writer Writer of 2 freelance episodes
1321 Clover
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TV Movie
Script and Continuity Department
According to Jim
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TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Vekstar: Tit for Tat
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Music
by Michael J.S. Murphy
Director/Editor/Producer
8 Simple Rules
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TV Series
Additional Crew
Commando Nanny
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TV Series
Additional Crew
The Drew Carey Show
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TV Series
Additional Crew
The Soul Man
TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Victorious
TV Series
Script and Continuity Department
Knight Squad
TV Series
Writer