John Bowman

Writing

John Bowman

Born September 28, 1957 · Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Died December 28, 2021 · aged 64

John Bowman is an Emmy award winning writer who has been writing and producing comedy for 25 years. He has written for Saturday Night Live, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, In Living Color, Martin, Murphy Brown, and Frank TV, among others. He created Martin and received two NAACP Awards and a People's Choice Award for his work there.

Known For

The Secret of My SuccessThe Secret of My Success · 1987
The Secret of My Success
6.51987
MovieComedy
Brantley Foster, a well-educated kid from Kansas, has always dreamed of making it big in New York City, but once there, he learns that jobs - and girls - are hard to get. When he visits his uncle, Howard Prescott, who runs a multi-million-dollar company, he is given a job in the mail room.
HecklerHeckler · 2007
Heckler
5.92007
MovieDocumentaryComedy
HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.
Me and HimMe and Him · 1988
Me and Him
3.21988
MovieComedy
A man's enthusiastic penis starts talking to him, getting him into awkward situations and convincing everyone he tells that he's completely insane.
Pencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild StrikePencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike · 2014
Pencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike
8.52014
MovieDocumentary
In 2007, the Writers Guild of America, the Screenwriters Union, hit an impasse in their contract negotiations with the Studios. At the center of the dispute was jurisdiction over the internet. Unable to make progress, the WGA called a strike which brought Hollywood to a halt for 100 days.
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson · 1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.51962
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
SeinfeldSeinfeld · 1989
Seinfeld
8.31989
SeriesComedy
A stand-up comedian and his three offbeat friends weather the pitfalls and payoffs of life in New York City in the '90s. It's a show about nothing.
Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live · 1975
Saturday Night Live
6.91975
SeriesComedy
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
Miami ViceMiami Vice · 1984
Miami Vice
7.41984
SeriesCrimeDrama
The story of the Miami Police Department's vice squad and its efforts to end drug trafficking and prostitution, centered on the unlikely partnership of Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs - who first meet when Tubbs is undercover in a drug cartel.

Movies

The Secret of My SuccessThe Secret of My Success · 1987
The Secret of My Success
6.51987
MovieComedy
Brantley Foster, a well-educated kid from Kansas, has always dreamed of making it big in New York City, but once there, he learns that jobs - and girls - are hard to get. When he visits his uncle, Howard Prescott, who runs a multi-million-dollar company, he is given a job in the mail room.
HecklerHeckler · 2007
Heckler
5.92007
MovieDocumentaryComedy
HECKLER is a comedic feature documentary exploring the increasingly critical world we live in. After starring in a film that was critically bashed, Jamie Kennedy takes on hecklers and critics and ask some interesting questions of people such as George Lucas, Bill Maher, Mike Ditka, Rob Zombie, Howie Mandel and many more. This fast moving, hilarious documentary pulls no punches as you see an uncensored look at just how nasty and mean the fight is between those in the spotlight and those in the dark.
Me and HimMe and Him · 1988
Me and Him
3.21988
MovieComedy
A man's enthusiastic penis starts talking to him, getting him into awkward situations and convincing everyone he tells that he's completely insane.
Pencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild StrikePencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike · 2014
Pencils Down! The 100 Days of the Writers Guild Strike
8.52014
MovieDocumentary
In 2007, the Writers Guild of America, the Screenwriters Union, hit an impasse in their contract negotiations with the Studios. At the center of the dispute was jurisdiction over the internet. Unable to make progress, the WGA called a strike which brought Hollywood to a halt for 100 days.

TV Shows

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson · 1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.51962
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
SeinfeldSeinfeld · 1989
Seinfeld
8.31989
SeriesComedy
A stand-up comedian and his three offbeat friends weather the pitfalls and payoffs of life in New York City in the '90s. It's a show about nothing.
Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live · 1975
Saturday Night Live
6.91975
SeriesComedy
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
Miami ViceMiami Vice · 1984
Miami Vice
7.41984
SeriesCrimeDrama
The story of the Miami Police Department's vice squad and its efforts to end drug trafficking and prostitution, centered on the unlikely partnership of Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs - who first meet when Tubbs is undercover in a drug cartel.
Murphy BrownMurphy Brown · 1988
Murphy Brown
6.41988
SeriesComedy
Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) is a recovering alcoholic who returns to the fictional newsmagazine FYI for the first time following a stay at the Betty Ford Clinic residential treatment center. Over 40 and single, she is sharp tongued and hard as nails. In her profession, she is considered one of the boys, having shattered many glass ceilings encountered during her career. Dominating the FYI news magazine, she is portrayed as one of America's hardest-hitting (though not the warmest or more sympathetic) media personalities.
EllenEllen · 1994
Ellen
6.11994
SeriesComedy
Ellen works in a Los Angeles bookstore called Buy the Book and hangs around with her friends discussing lovers, work and family.
MartinMartin · 1992
Martin
7.51992
SeriesComedyDrama
Sassy sitcom centering on radio and television personality Martin Payne. Series focuses on his romantic relationship with girlfriend Gina, her best friend Pam and escapades with best friends Tommy and Cole.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air · 1990
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
7.91990
SeriesComedyFamily
Will, a street-smart teenager, moves from the tough streets of West Philly to posh Bel-Air to live with his Uncle Philip, Aunt Vivian, his cousins — spoiled Hilary, preppy Carlton and young Ashley — and their sophisticated British butler, Geoffrey. Though Will’s antics and upbringing contrast greatly with the upper-class lifestyle of his extended relatives, he soon finds himself right at home as a loved part of the family.
It's Garry Shandling's ShowIt's Garry Shandling's Show · 1986
It's Garry Shandling's Show
7.11986
SeriesComedy
Garry Shandling stars as himself, a neurotic, sardonic stand-up comedian who just happens to be aware he is a sitcom character. Garry spends just as much time interacting with the studio audience as he does the regular cast members, performing monologues and show-closing summations of the episode's events. However, everyone knows they're on TV, not just Garry; and the audience (itself a character) is often involved in the storyline.
The ShowThe Show · 1996
The Show
10.01996
SeriesComedy
The series follows a white writer who joins the staff of a black television show, exploring themes of race, television production, and comedy. It featured a "show within a show" concept, focusing on the chaotic behind-the-scenes creation of a sitcom.
1/2 Hour Comedy Hour1/2 Hour Comedy Hour · 1989
1/2 Hour Comedy Hour
7.01989
SeriesComedy
A showcase for stand-up comedians on MTV.
The ShowThe Show · 1996
The Show
1996
Series
A white writer joins the staff of a black television series.