Jason Katims: Write on, Dad - NBC’s “Parenthood”writer/producer on the show, being a parent and growing up.

1. chat room
by Vivien Santana Hughes
Jason Katims: Write On, Dad
Q
When you write a show about Texas foot- Tell us about a memorable parenting
ball (Friday Night Lights) or aliens (Roswell), moment.
your L.A. circle may think the characters are My wife, Kathy, signed up our son for
out of this world, but not in their back yards. Little League. Sawyer was around 7, had
“Even when I’ve literally robbed stories from shown no interest in sports and had motor-
people’s lives,” says Jason Katims, they don’t skills issues. I was really nervous. The first
recognize themselves. But now, the writer/ practice was everything I imagined it to be –
executive producer of the new TV series and 10 times worse. Ground ball went
Parenthood finds it’s just the opposite. “So though his legs, and he got really upset when
many stop me and claim, ‘Oh, that’s me!’” his teammate got the ball. He didn’t under-
Welcome to parenthood, Jason, where – stand. Soon, I’m in the dugout with my kid
as any visibly pregnant woman in a public on my lap. He’s crying, “Unsign me up!” I
setting can attest – everyone has a stake. replied, “It’s up to you. Why not just try?”
Based on the 1989 film of the same name, Couple days later, to my amazement, he’s
the show is rich in characters, namely, the watching baseball on TV. “Hey you want to
gloriously imperfect Braverman family. have a catch?” I asked. He said, “Sure.”
We chatted with Jason (the real-life father Sawyer played baseball the next five years
of Sawyer, 13, and Phoebe, 9) about and still loves sports.
Parenthood, his parents, and parenthood.
&
What do you find most surprising about
In the show, you introduced a character being a dad?
with Asperger’s Syndrome. Why? The whole thing is surprising! Grappling
A
It’s something that was hinted at in the with your children defying expectations. It’s
movie. And my son has Asperger’s. Certainly, what makes it such an interesting journey:
there’s a lot here that’s very personal to me, the constant surprises and joys. As a result of
but it was also important to protect my son’s caring so much for your children, you
privacy. And I felt a big responsibility to make become a more compassionate person. I feel
this depiction as accurate as possible. We so moved watching people parent – especial-
brought in psychologists, teachers and parents ly when it isn’t easy, when those curve balls
to help make it real. Quite honestly, part of me are thrown at you. Ultimately, it’s what made
wasn’t sure it would feel “relatable” enough to me want to write Parenthood.
the audience. But people are really interested.
After the second episode, Asperger’s was the So really, the show was born because
most Googled item that night! It was a hard your kids were born.
decision for me to tackle this subject matter, Yeah. Finally getting payback [laughs].
but I’m very happy I did. Joking!
What did your parents think of your See Parenthood on NBC Tuesdays at 10
career choice? p.m., or catch up on past episodes at
They were incredibly supportive. It was a www.nbc.com/parenthood. !
gift. My father had been an actor, then a
Jason Katims, writer/exec- salesman, then came back to acting, so part Chat Room columnist Vivien Santana Hughes
utive producer of NBC of him really understood. And my mom is a former L.A. Parent editor and the mother
dramedy Parenthood, on allowed my room to be a complete and utter of three – two sons in college and (surprise!)
bringing his first child mess, a disaster area. Some wouldn’t look at a 5-year-old daughter.
home from the hospital: this as exemplary parenting, but I had my
“You don’t get the book creative space and a sense of freedom. (Her Who would you like to see profiled in
that comes with it. I only rule? That I close the door.) My parents Chat Room? Please email your suggestions
thought, ‘Are you really were always encouraging my creative side to: Christina.Elston@parenthood.com.
leaving us with this kid?’” and I was able to find my passion.
62 June 2010 / LAParent.com