Half of the eight writers in NBC’s 2018-2019 class for its Writers on the Verge program are Asian American — the highest representation in the program’s 13-year history.
Bernard Badion, Joanne Lee, Tiffany Shaw Ho and Margot Ye were chosen from over 2,200 applicants to participate in the program. Their extensive resumes include work on shows like “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Andi Mack.”
“I cannot understate the importance of giving talented writers from diverse backgrounds the tools to take their careers to the next level,” Karen Horne, a representative of NBC Entertainment and Universal Television, said in a statement. “Our track record of preparing our Writers on the Verge to be staffed on a wide variety of series underscores our program’s effectiveness in increasing the pipeline of skilled diverse writers.”
The new Writers on the Verge class will learn how to develop pilot scripts and how to effectively pitch their ideas to television executives, according to a statement from NBC. After the six-month intensive program, they will be considered for positions on NBC series. Past participants have moved on to work on shows including “Superstore” and ABC’s “Black-ish.”
