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David Milch

Writer / Show Creator

"What became known as 'Milchspeak' is just metrics. When you use profanity if the metrics aren't right it sounds stupid. You find most people in the street speak 'MilchSpeak.' Or I should be more humble and say that my characters speak like people in the street."

About This Interview

In his two-and-a-half-hour Archive interview, David Milch discusses his early life and influences, and how he came to write for Hill Street Blues. He talks about his stint as a writer for Hill Street Blues under Steven Bochco and his unconventional personal life at the time. He describes co-creating NYPD Blue  with Bochco, and helping to create the tone, feel, and language of the show. Milch recounts some of the tumultuous times on the show with David Caruso, talks of Caruso's replacement, Jimmy Smits, and explains his own eventual exit from the show. He outlines the creation of the classic HBO series Deadwood and what he was trying to accomplish with that show though symbolism and language, and talks about the show's lead character "Al Swearengen," played by Ian McShane. He recalls his less successful HBO ventures John from Cincinnati  and Luck, and talks of personal difficulties that resulted from the two series. Finally he talks about his unconventional writing process, and offers advice to aspiring television writers. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on December 27, 2012 in Santa Monica, California. 

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Beverly Hills Buntz
  • Big Apple
  • Brooklyn South
  • Deadwood
  • Emmy Awards, The (primetime and daytime)
  • Hill Street Blues
  • John from Cincinnati
  • Murder One
  • NYPD Blue

People

  • Steven Bochco
  • Dennis Franz

Topics

  • Advice
  • Censorship / Standards & Practices
  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Emmy Awards
  • First Big Break
  • Overcoming Adversity
  • Pivotal Career Moments
  • Pop Culture
  • Television Industry

Professions

  • Writers & Show Creators
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  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres
  • Professions

Highlights

  • David Milch on co-creating <i>NYPD Blue</i> with Steven BochcoDavid Milch on co-creating NYPD Blue with Steven Bochco
    Clip begins at: 46:46, Duration: 05m 11s
  • David Milch on his dialogue, also known as "MilchSpeak" and the language of <i>NYPD Blue</i>David Milch on his dialogue, also known as "MilchSpeak" and the language of NYPD Blue
    Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 04m 36s
  • David Milch on dealing with the network on <i>NYPD Blue</i>David Milch on dealing with the network on NYPD Blue
    Clip begins at: 54:21, Duration: 03m 51s
  • David Milch on favorite episodes of <i>Hill Street Blues</i> that he wroteDavid Milch on favorite episodes of Hill Street Blues that he wrote
    Clip begins at: 32:37, Duration: 03m 40s
  • David Milch on creating <i>Deadwood</i>David Milch on creating Deadwood
    Clip begins at: 34:25, Duration: 02m 38s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his early life and influences; on meeting Kurt Vonnegut; on how he came to write for Hill Street Blues
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On writing his first television script; on the process of writing Hill Street Blues; on producing the short-lived series Capital News
    Clip begins at: 15:06
  • On working with Steven Bochco on Hill Street Blues; on favorite episodes of Hill Street Blues; on producing Beverly Hills Buntz
    Clip begins at: 29:38
  • On co-creating NYPD Blue with Steven Bochco; on the look of NYPD Blue; on network battles over the show
    Clip begins at: 45:41
  • Part 2
  • On David Caruso as "John Kelly" on NYPD Blue; on the writing process for NYPD Blue; on the dialogue of the show
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On Jimmy Smits as "Bobby Simone" on NYPD Blue; on the production of NYPD Blue; on the end of the show and its legacy
    Clip begins at: 14:50
  • On co-creating Murder One; on writing Brooklyn South and The Big Apple; on creating and writing Deadwood
    Clip begins at: 27:31
  • On Ian McShane as "Al Swearengen" on Deadwood; on critical and public reaction to Deadwood; on the writing process and budget of the show
    Clip begins at: 43:39
  • Part 3
  • On his favorite Deadwood storylines; on the end of Deadwood and the legacy of the show; on creating John from Cincinnati 
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On the series Luck; on career highlights and regrets; on advice to aspiring writers and how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 13:07

Shows

  • Beverly Hills Buntz
    • David Milch on producing Beverly Hills Buntz
      Clip begins at: 42:08, Duration: 03m 33s
  • Big Apple
    • David Milch on writing the series Big Apple
      Clip begins at: 33:11, Duration: 01m 14s
  • Brooklyn South
    • David Milch on writing Brooklyn South
      Clip begins at: 29:39, Duration: 02m 47s
  • Deadwood
    • David Milch on creating Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 34:25, Duration: 02m 38s
    • David Milch on the premise of Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 37:03, Duration: 03m 05s
    • David Milch on the process of writing Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 40:08, Duration: 03m 06s
    • David Milch on Ian McShane as "Al Swearengen" on Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 43:39, Duration: 03m 03s
    • David Milch on symbolism on Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 46:42, Duration: 00m 54s
    • David Milch on the language of Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 50:58, Duration: 02m 52s
    • David Milch on critical and public reaction to Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 53:50, Duration: 00m 50s
    • David Milch on the tone of Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 54:40, Duration: 01m 33s
    • David Milch on his writing process for Deadwood and the budget
      Clip begins at: 56:13, Duration: 01m 57s
    • David Milch on the budget of Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 58:10, Duration: 00m 46s
    • David Milch on his favorite Deadwood storylines
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 04m 19s
    • David Milch on the end of Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 04:20, Duration: 02m 55s
    • David Milch on the legacy of Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 07:15, Duration: 01m 18s
  • Emmy Awards, The (primetime and daytime)
    • David Milch on winning Emmys and other awards for NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 24:16, Duration: 03m 15s
  • Hill Street Blues
    • David Milch on how he came to write for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 11:02, Duration: 04m 04s
    • David Milch on "leading a double life" while writing for Hill Street Blues and his duties as Story Editor
      Clip begins at: 19:56, Duration: 02m 39s
    • David Milch on the process of writing for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 22:35, Duration: 02m 20s
    • David Milch on being promoted though the ranks on Hill Street Blues to Executive Producer
      Clip begins at: 24:55, Duration: 02m 51s
    • David Milch on working with Steven Bochco on Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 29:46, Duration: 02m 51s
    • David Milch on favorite episodes of Hill Street Blues that he wrote
      Clip begins at: 32:37, Duration: 03m 40s
    • David Milch on what he learned about television writing from Hill Street Blues and its success 
      Clip begins at: 36:17, Duration: 04m 45s
  • John from Cincinnati
    • David Milch on creating John from Cincinnati 
      Clip begins at: 08:33, Duration: 04m 34s
  • Murder One
    • David Milch on co-writing the pilot to Murder One
      Clip begins at: 27:32, Duration: 02m 07s
  • NYPD Blue
    • David Milch on co-creating NYPD Blue with Steven Bochco
      Clip begins at: 46:46, Duration: 05m 11s
    • David Milch on the look of NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 51:57, Duration: 01m 26s
    • David Milch on collaborating with Steven Bochco on NYPD Blue and dealing with the network
      Clip begins at: 53:21, Duration: 04m 51s
    • David Milch on how NYPD Blue differed from other cop shows
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 01m 10s
    • David Milch on David Caruso as "John Kelly" on NYPD Blue 
      Clip begins at: 01:14, Duration: 04m 39s
    • David Milch on his writing process for NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 05:53, Duration: 04m 21s
    • David Milch on his dialogue, also known as "MilchSpeak" and the language of NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 04m 36s
    • David Milch on network interference with NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 14:50, Duration: 01m 20s
    • David Milch on using real-life stories on NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 16:10, Duration: 01m 01s
    • David Milch on Jimmy Smits joining the cast of NYPD Blue as "Bobby Simone"
      Clip begins at: 17:11, Duration: 00m 35s
    • David Milch on the production of NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 17:46, Duration: 01m 07s
    • David Milch on favorite episodes of NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 18:53, Duration: 01m 43s
    • David Milch on Jimmy Smits leaving NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 20:36, Duration: 00m 59s
    • David Milch on exiting NYPD Blue and how he felt about the show after he left
      Clip begins at: 21:35, Duration: 01m 45s
    • David Milch on the legacy of NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 23:20, Duration: 00m 56s
    • David Milch on winning Emmys and other awards for NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 24:16, Duration: 03m 15s

People

  • Steven Bochco
    • David Milch on working with Steven Bochco on Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 29:46, Duration: 02m 51s
    • David Milch on co-creating NYPD Blue with Steven Bochco
      Clip begins at: 46:46, Duration: 05m 11s
    • David Milch on collaborating with Steven Bochco on NYPD Blue  and dealing with the network
      Clip begins at: 53:21, Duration: 04m 51s
  • David Caruso
    • David Milch on David Caruso as "John Kelly" on NYPD Blue 
      Clip begins at: 01:14, Duration: 04m 39s
  • Dennis Franz
    • David Milch on producing Beverly Hills Buntz
      Clip begins at: 42:08, Duration: 03m 33s
    • David Milch on his dialogue, also known as "MilchSpeak" and the language of NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 10:14, Duration: 04m 36s
  • Dustin Hoffman
    • David Milch on the series Luck
      Clip begins at: 13:55, Duration: 10m 02s
  • Michael Mann
    • David Milch on the series Luck
      Clip begins at: 13:55, Duration: 10m 02s
  • Jimmy Smits
    • David Milch on Jimmy Smits joining the cast of NYPD Blue as "Bobby Simone"
      Clip begins at: 17:11, Duration: 00m 35s
    • David Milch on Jimmy Smits leaving NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 20:36, Duration: 00m 59s

Topics

  • Emmy Awards
    • David Milch on winning Emmys and other awards for NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 24:16, Duration: 03m 15s
  • Pivotal Career Moments
    • David Milch on "leading a double life" while writing for Hill Street Blues  and his duties as Story Editor
      Clip begins at: 19:56, Duration: 02m 39s
  • Pivotal Career Moments > First Big Break
    • David Milch on how he came to write for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 11:02, Duration: 04m 04s
    • David Milch on how he came to write for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 11:02, Duration: 04m 04s
  • Pivotal Career Moments > Overcoming Adversity
    • David Milch on "leading a double life" while writing for Hill Street Blues  and his duties as Story Editor
      Clip begins at: 19:56, Duration: 02m 39s
  • Pop Culture
    • David Milch on Ian McShane as "Al Swearengen" on Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 43:39, Duration: 03m 03s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • David Milch on Ian McShane as "Al Swearengen" on Deadwood
      Clip begins at: 43:39, Duration: 03m 03s
  • Television Industry
    • David Milch on dealing with the network on NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 54:21, Duration: 03m 51s
    • David Milch on network interference with NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 14:50, Duration: 01m 20s
    • David Milch on advice to aspiring television writers
      Clip begins at: 31:44, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Television Industry > Advice
    • David Milch on advice to aspiring television writers
      Clip begins at: 31:44, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Television Industry > Censorship / Standards & Practices
    • David Milch on dealing with the network on NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 54:21, Duration: 03m 51s
    • David Milch on network interference with NYPD Blue
      Clip begins at: 14:50, Duration: 01m 20s

Genres

  • Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
    • David Milch on writing for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 11:02, Duration: 30m 00s
    • David Milch on co-creating and writing NYPD Blue (Part 1)
      Clip begins at: 41:02, Duration: 17m 10s
    • David Milch on co-creating and writing NYPD Blue (Part 2)
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 27m 30s
  • Western Series
    • David Milch on creating and writing Deadwood   (Part 1) 
      Clip begins at: 34:25, Duration: 24m 31s
    • David Milch on co-creating and writing Deadwood (Part 2)
      Clip begins at: 00:01, Duration: 08m 32s

Professions

  • Writers & Show Creators
    • David Milch on the process of writing for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 22:35, Duration: 02m 20s
    • David Milch on his writing process
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 05m 31s
    • David Milch on the key to creating a series
      Clip begins at: 29:18, Duration: 01m 48s
    • David Milch on advice to aspiring television writers
      Clip begins at: 31:44, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Writers & Show Creators > Show Creator
    • David Milch on his writing process
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 05m 31s
    • David Milch on the key to creating a series
      Clip begins at: 29:18, Duration: 01m 48s
    • David Milch on advice to aspiring television writers
      Clip begins at: 31:44, Duration: 00m 38s
  • Writers & Show Creators > Writer
    • David Milch on the process of writing for Hill Street Blues
      Clip begins at: 22:35, Duration: 02m 20s
    • David Milch on his writing process
      Clip begins at: 23:47, Duration: 05m 31s
    • David Milch on the key to creating a series
      Clip begins at: 29:18, Duration: 01m 48s
    • David Milch on advice to aspiring television writers
      Clip begins at: 31:44, Duration: 00m 38s
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