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Phil Pirrello

@philpirrello.bsky.social
1.2K followers 935 following 279 posts

WGA TV & Film writer and Star Trek enthusiast, with bylines at THR and Emmy Magazine. Once gave Steven Spielberg a donut.

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Akela Cooper @akelacooper.bsky.social · 7h
It's very much NOT mind-boggling. We suck donkey balls right now and you can't blame any foreigner for not wanting to deal with our bullshit
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
25 years ago today, ALIAS premiered. This & DS9 made me want to be a TV writer. Here’s Victor Garber talking about making one of TV’s best pilots (and how he convinced Jennifer Garner to get a driver so she didn’t have to drive herself after 13+ hour days) www.televisionacademy.com/features/onl...
televisionacademy.com
Everything You Wanted to Know About Alias, According to Victor Garber
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“Darmok” has some of the best acting in all of Star Trek (and 1 of the weirdest gaffes, with phasers fired from the photon torpedo launcher). When this episode first aired, it started late & I didn’t account for that when I taped it. I didn’t see the ending until years later via Columbia House.
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The Spaceshipper 🚀 @thespaceshipper.com · 28/09/2026
Star Trek: The Next Generation started 39 years ago today. The future began again at this (Encounter at Far)point.
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Tonight’s LANTERNS ep is an enviable piece of screenwriting. The opening scene, especially. And Chandler gives such a nuanced performance as Halogram. He and Pierre have off the charts chemistry.
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TrekMovie.com @trekmovie.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Happy anniversary to Star Trek: Enterprise, which premiered on this day in 2001 with "Broken Bow," which took place 100 years before the events of The Original Series. Created by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, it showed humanity's first foray into the final frontier.
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Will Harris @willharrisinva.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It's the 36th anniversary of the premiere of COP ROCK, so what better time to revisit my @avclub.com oral history of the series? No matter how ridiculous you think the series was, you'll be emotionally invested by the end of the piece. www.avclub.com/an-oral-hist...
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On This Day in Simpsons History @dailysimpsons.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“My eyes! The goggles do nothing!” 31 years ago today, September 24, 1995, #TheSimpsons episode “Radioactive Man” first aired on Fox.
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On This Day in Simpsons History @dailysimpsons.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
34 years ago today, September 24, 1992, #TheSimpsons episode “Kamp Krusty” first aired on Fox.
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Repost with an image of your favourite James Bond (wrong answers only):
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Alan Sepinwall @sepinwall.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Last fall, I did a long interview with Vince Gilligan about Pluribus that, for a variety of complicated reasons, wasn't available in full until today:
totei.com
The View over Vince Gilligan’s Shoulder
The Pluribus showrunner explains how he hatched his Emmy-winning sci-fi hit about the human right to be unhappy.
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Marc Guggenheim @marcguggenheim.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
THE LAST STARFIGHTER is returning... in comics form!!!! @benjaminraab.bsky.social and @dblackanese.bsky.social have crafted a PITCH PERFECT sequel to one of my favorite movies. The saga of Alex Rogan and the Star League didn’t end in 1984. This creative team proves that it’s just beginning.
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Phillip Iscove @pmiscove.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Still to this day one of the most shocking cliffhanger moments I’ve seen on TV.
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Nick Field @nickfield.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
The State AGs were on pace to kill the Paramount/Warner Bros by litigation and delay until Gavin Newsom stepped in and turned the tide. Now the Trump loyalist Ellisons will control CNN and HBO. Don't ever, ever forget that Newsom stabbed us in the back www.wsj.com/business/med...
wsj.com
Exclusive | Newsom Expresses Concerns About State Antitrust Suit Against Paramount
The California governor has told people involved in the suit that blocking the $81 billion deal could harm Hollywood jobs.
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Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Bonta after detailing the terms of the deal: "I don't think these two companies should merge...I still don't." I mean, Jesus wept. I doubt this is the end of Newsom's 2028 ambitions, but it certainly should be. He got played by DAVID ELLISON!
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A friend at Paramount says morale is very low. They are upset people caved & believed the BS that Pmt would move. That they even threatened to do so reveals how full of shit they are about their Intentions. Also, 30 movies a year? Impossible to hit unless 1/3 of them are already in production.
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Post a comic cover you love.
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Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Concessions don’t work. That’s why the State AGs need to take their case to trial. They've got the Ellisons on the ropes. Protect consumers and workers. Block the Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Sign the Petition! noparamountconcessions.com
noparamountconcessions.com
#BlockTheMerger
Twelve state attorneys general sued to block Paramount’s takeover of Warner Bros. Concessions don’t protect workers, consumers or creators. Tell the AGs to hold strong and take it to trial. SIGN THE P...
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Alan Sepinwall @sepinwall.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I didn't want my Fleabag retrospective piece to get lost in the shuffle of what's been a very busy anniversary week at What's Alan Watching? I'm as proud of this as any column I've written in quite some time, and I hope you'll give it a look:
whatsalanwatching.com
Fleabag needed us even more than we needed her
10 years ago, Phoebe Waller-Bridge's masterpiece changed the way we looked at fictional characters looking at us
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Jess Piper @piperformissouri.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
What scene makes you emotional no matter how many times you've seen it? McCoy’s line in STAR TREK III, “turn death into a fighting chance to live,” guts me more than the reason why he says it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzJR...
youtube.com
My God, Bones... What Have I Done?
YouTube video by Rich Evans
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
For the cheap seats, Ellison is not taking paramount out of LA. Deadline and the trades happily carry his water because clicks. The “deadly serious” and put the deposit on the moving trucks claims here are about as threatening as a “double dog dare.” deadline.com/2026/09/para...
deadline.com
Paramount To Leave California Amid Antitrust Battle & Stalled Warner Bros Merger
Leaks out of David Ellison's inner circle said the CEO wold take his Paramount ball & leave California if state AGs didn't back off on their antitrust suit
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
“You know, a town with money's a little like the mule with a spinning wheel. No one knows how he got it, and danged if he knows how to use it.”
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
At the Emmys tonight, they played famous TV themes for the audience during commercial breaks and it was a cool and classy touch to include animated show themes, too. There’s life before and life after hearing the X-MEN theme blasting out of the speakers.
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Akela Cooper @akelacooper.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Vince Gillian shouting out his former writers assistant who’s now also nominated in the same category is why we love him so much. He’s a good egg. #emmys
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Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 14/09/2026
So they're gonna kill your kids.
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The Center Seat’s new doc on the making of the TNG films is full of great behind the scenes stories I‘ve never heard before, like Shatner falling to the floor of the Enterprise-B bridge after missing rehearsal for the gimbal that rocked the set, b/c he assumed it’d be done the ol‘ fashioned way.
static.klipy.com
Captain Kirk: Don't Tell Me - Tuesday
ALT: Captain Kirk: Don't Tell Me - Tuesday
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
For Trek’s 60th, here’s Rick Berman talking about an unsung aspect of his time on Trek: Writing. From scripting TNG’s “Brothers” (which turned 35 this year) to breaking ENT’s pilot w/ an exec to working w/ Michael Piller, he shares a ton of cool stories. www.televisionacademy.com/features/onl...
televisionacademy.com
How Rick Berman Saved Star Trek (Exclusive)
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Spent the weekend leading up to Star Trek’s 60th with the person who introduced me to it, my dad, and watching the first four films re-released in theaters. There’s something really special about watching Trek IV with a crowd and the jokes still hit 40 years later.
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Alan Sepinwall @sepinwall.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Star Trek debuted on NBC on September 8, 1966. I wrote about how versatile Gene Roddenberry's creation has proved in the 60 years since:
whatsalanwatching.com
'Star Trek' at 60: To boldly go in many different directions
Looking back at the many, many, many different flavors of 'Star Trek' stories
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Alan Sepinwall @sepinwall.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
If it's a Damon Lindelof-produced show, sooner or later there will be dick jokes, as we're reminded in a Lanterns episode called "The Weenie." My review:
whatsalanwatching.com
Lanterns recap, Episode 04: 'The Weenie'
Hal and John come into conflict as we return to the 2016 timeline
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Without saying your age, what's your favorite movie that came out when you were 20 years old? I watched these two movies like they were the Zepruder film.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Hook this right into my veins.
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Forbes @forbes.com · 01/09/2026
“Potentially millions of American voters may not receive their mail-in ballot this election cycle in a timely manner, or at all,” the whistleblower warned.
forbes.com
USPS Whistleblower Warns New Rule Could Keep Voters From Getting Ballots—What To Know
“Potentially millions of American voters may not receive their mail-in ballot this election cycle in a timely manner, or at all,” the whistleblower warned.
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Watching ARMAGEDDON and thinking of when I did a Transformers movie set visit and Bay told us about how he had DEEP IMPACT’s dailies stolen from Paramount so they could see their summer competition. Upon reviewing the footage, Bay & Bruckheimer determined they had no competition.
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 31/08/2026
Spotted outside The Penthouse Nightclub in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. REUTERS/Chris Helgren.
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Watched T2 the big screen on Skynet Day next to 2 first timers. They gasped at the big twist (imagine not having that spoiled!) and one whispered “No!” when John is summoned by the T-1000 impersonating his mom. 35 years later, it still plays like it did on opening day.
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Asha Rangappa @asharangappa.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
For reference: When I had my background check it was held up because I had a speeding ticket from when I went home sophomore year in college that I forgot to put on my SF-86. I got grilled about why I didn’t disclose it (they eventually believed it was mistake). The FBI as we knew it is gone.
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Kelly @broadwaybabyto.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I really feel like it should be bigger news that fibreglass is in IV saline bags in the US. This isn’t a situation where you might get a little sick. Fibreglass going directly into your veins will kill you. IV saline is used for almost every medical procedure. This is unconscionable:
fda.gov
Baxter Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall for Two Lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection Due to Potential Presence of Particulate Matter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – AUG. 25, 2026 – DEERFIELD, Ill., Baxter International Inc. (NYSE:BAX) is voluntarily recalling two lots of 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection due to the potential presence of parti...
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Bill Wolkoff @billwearsties.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
It was cool speaking with @philpirrello.bsky.social for Emmy Magazine about “Off-Hour.” Thanks Phil! If you want the bts scoop, check it out. #StrangeNewWorlds
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
If you’re looking for more Star Trek eps like Strange New Worlds’ “Off-Hour,” I‘d invite you to check out TNG’s “Disaster,” DS9’s “Starship Down” and Voyager’s “Dreadnaught.” Inventive set pieces, big emotional stakes and Picard making several children cry. What’s not to love?
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Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“U.S. military stockpiles of key weapons have been severely depleted, including Patriot and other air-defense platforms, as well as sophisticated offensive weapons like Tomahawk cruise missiles…
 …the U.S. has also lost roughly a quarter of its Reaper drones”
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Alan Siegel @alansiegella.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Went deep on the long journey of COYOTE VS. ACME. With Will Forte, Dave Green, Samy Burch, Eric Bauza, and many more. www.theringer.com/2026/08/27/m...
theringer.com
Keep Chasing That Bird: The Oral History of ‘Coyote vs. Acme’
The ‘Looney Tunes’ movie is finally hitting theaters after its controversial shelving three years ago—this is the story of how it got out from under the anvil
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I did not expect 24 and Homicide to have inspired this week’s Strange New Worlds. @billwearsties.bsky.social talked to me about how he, director Dan Liu and the episode’s talented editor pulled it off www.televisionacademy.com/features/onl...
televisionacademy.com
How Strange New Worlds Pulled Off a Disaster Movie in Space
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Phil Pirrello @philpirrello.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
When I worked at Paramount on the marketing for Transformers 1, Cullen told me he had to audition basically for a part he had played for 20 years because filmmakers “wanted a name.” All of us were like, “they already have one. You.”
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Ken Plume @kenplume.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Another instance of Dolly Parton making profound talent feel breezily effortless...
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The Volatile Mermaid @ohnoshetwitnt.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Tim Curry was not the 80-year-old Home Alone 2 cast member we were asking for.
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Chise @sailorrooscout.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Some people might not be aware, but it is entirely possible that without Dolly Parton we wouldn’t have had a COVID vaccine. She partly funded Moderna’s research and gave the largest individual contribution to make it all happen. Just gives you an idea of the kind of person she was.
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Eric Haywood @erichaywood.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dammit dammit dammit
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Ken Tremendous @kentremendous.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Wrote about the proposed Paramount-WBD merger and why it is bad across the board.
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