Sony Pictures Television International

RTL Television, Germany
Fridays, 9:45 pm

Debuting in 1999, the sitcom “Rita’s World” was consistently among the top ten television comedy programs in all of Germany throughout its five-year run. I had the opportunity to write for the show from its second season through its last.

I don’t speak any German, but the staff in Cologne spoke English. I’d get up at six in the morning to have a conference call with the German producers — they are nine hours ahead of us — then I’d write and revise an outline and send it via email. After several rounds of notes, I would write the final draft. I wrote the scripts in English and they were translated into German.

Rita’s World was similar in tone to the American sitcom “Roseanne.” It was a fun show to write for, and I learned a lot about German culture (and humor).

How many Jews can claim to have written the Christmas episode of a German television show?

This guy!