Breaking Down Hulu's Paradise Pilot by Dan Fogelman: Teleplay Analysis & Screenwriting Lessons
In this episode of The Screenplay Lab podcast, we analyze the pilot teleplay for Paradise, the Emmy-nominated 2025 Hulu series from Dan Fogelman (This Is Us). If you're a screenwriter, TV writer, or filmmaker, this deep dive into modern pilot structure is a must-listen.
What You'll Learn:
How to write a pilot twist that actually works
Dan Fogelman's use of nonlinear storytelling and emotional payoff
Setups/payoffs, mechanics, and pacing in a 55-page script
Crafting dialogue, formatting tips, and white space usage
Behind-the-scenes: how Paradise became a $15M-per-episode drama
Genre blending: sci-fi, political thriller, and character-driven drama
We Break Down:
Script structure
Use of time jumps, flashbacks, and visual storytelling on the page
Clues leading to one of the most effective pilot twists in recent TV
Whether you're writing your first pilot or refining a series bible, this episode offers practical insights from a modern masterpiece in TV writing.
Two Guys, Five Rings: Matt, Bowen & The Olympics
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
iHeartOlympics: The Latest
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.