Simon Rich
Encyclopedia
Simon Rich is an American
humorist, novelist, and television writer, best known for being the youngest writer ever hired on Saturday Night Live
and writing the Thurber Prize-nominated humor collection Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations.
and then enrolled at Harvard University
where he became president of the Harvard Lampoon
. His older brother is novelist and essayist Nathaniel Rich
and his father is New York Times author Frank Rich
.
in 2007, Rich received a two-book contract from Random House
.
Rich's first book, a collection of short humor pieces entitled Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations was published in 2007 and was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor
. His second collection, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. In 2009, Rich co-created the collector's edition trading cards New York Superheroes. Rich's third book and first novel, Elliot Allagash, was released in May 2010. Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman
has optioned the movie rights to Elliot Allagash.
Rich and the staff of Saturday Night Live
were nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
three times in 2008, 2009, and 2010 and twice won the Writers Guild of America Award
for Comedy/Variety Series in 2009 and 2010.
Rich recently finished his fourth season as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live
and is a frequent contributor to the Shouts & Murmurs section of the New Yorker
magazine.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
humorist, novelist, and television writer, best known for being the youngest writer ever hired on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
and writing the Thurber Prize-nominated humor collection Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations.
Background
Rich was born and raised in New York City. He attended The Dalton SchoolThe Dalton School
The Dalton School, originally called the Children's University School, is a private university-preparatory school on New York City's Upper East Side and a member of both the New York Interschooland the Ivy Preparatory School League...
and then enrolled at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
where he became president of the Harvard Lampoon
Harvard Lampoon
The Harvard Lampoon is an undergraduate humor publication founded in 1876 at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.-Overview:Published since 1876, The Harvard Lampoon is the world's longest continually published humor magazine. It is also the second longest-running English-language humor...
. His older brother is novelist and essayist Nathaniel Rich
Nathaniel Rich
Nathaniel Rich , English merchant adventurer, born about 1585, was probably eldest son of Richard Rich, an illegitimate son of Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich. His mother was daughter of John Machell, sheriff of London...
and his father is New York Times author Frank Rich
Frank Rich
Frank Rich is an American essayist and op-ed columnist who wrote for The New York Times from 1980, when he was appointed its chief theatre critic, until 2011...
.
Career
In his fifth year as an undergraduate at Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 2007, Rich received a two-book contract from Random House
Random House
Random House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
.
Rich's first book, a collection of short humor pieces entitled Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations was published in 2007 and was nominated for the Thurber Prize for American Humor
Thurber Prize for American Humor
The Thurber Prize for American Humor, named after American humorist James Thurber, recognizes outstanding contributions in humor writing. The prize is given out by the Thurber House. It was first awarded irregularly, but since 2004 has been bestowed annually....
. His second collection, Free Range Chickens, was published in 2008. In 2009, Rich co-created the collector's edition trading cards New York Superheroes. Rich's third book and first novel, Elliot Allagash, was released in May 2010. Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman
Jason Reitman
Jason Reitman is a Canadian/American film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for directing the films Thank You for Smoking , Juno , and Up in the Air . As of February 2, 2010, he has received three Academy Award nominations, two of which are for Best Director...
has optioned the movie rights to Elliot Allagash.
Rich and the staff of Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
were nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Music or Comedy Series
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program
The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program debuted in 1957, and has been annually awarded most years since 1964. It has had many slight name changes, mostly involving the addition or subtraction of the word comedy. Generally, the category has...
three times in 2008, 2009, and 2010 and twice won the Writers Guild of America Award
Writers Guild of America Award
The Writers Guild of America Award for outstanding achievements in film, television, and radio has been presented annually by the Writers Guild of America, East and Writers Guild of America, West since 1949...
for Comedy/Variety Series in 2009 and 2010.
Rich recently finished his fourth season as a staff writer for Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
and is a frequent contributor to the Shouts & Murmurs section of the New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker is an American magazine of reportage, commentary, criticism, essays, fiction, satire, cartoons and poetry published by Condé Nast...
magazine.
External links
- "The Wisdom of Children" from The New Yorker
- "Hey, Look" from The New Yorker
- Ant Farm on Random House website
- Interview with and readings by Rich on The Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young AmericaThe Sound of Young America is a public radio program and podcast based in Los Angeles, California and distributed by Public Radio International...
public radio program and podcast. - Clean Hearts and Simon Rich Interview and readings on Playing in Peoria podcast.
- CH Live: NYC - Simon Rich Stand-up comedy for CollegeHumor