‘Silicon Valley‘ EP John Altschuler Says European Market Craves authenticity American Showrunners Lack
CANNES, FRANCE – John Altschuler, executive producer and writer for HBO’s Silicon Valley, asserted that European television executives are actively seeking showrunners with a distinct creative vision currently lacking in teh American market. Speaking at a recent industry event, Altschuler highlighted a cultural difference in approach to storytelling, suggesting European broadcasters value a unique viewpoint over established formulas.
“They don’t have here, and there is also a feeling towards art and culture we don’t have in America,” Altschuler saeid. “Bringing them together is something a little more captivating, and that is how I believe we will succeed in the marketplace.” He believes this appetite for originality presents a significant opportunity for American creatives.
Altschuler revealed he is currently developing a series based on The Gangster’s Guide to Sobriety: My Life in 12 Steps, a book he co-wrote with Dave Krinsky and Richie Stephens. He added, ”That’s why I’m in town.”
The producer also reflected on his experience working on King of the Hill, recalling a strong connection with co-creator Mike Judge based on their shared middle-class backgrounds. “We hit off right off the bat,” he said. “He had a similar background to me. We had a horrible stink of the middle class. In Hollywood, they despise the middle class.”
Altschuler and krinsky eventually became showrunners for five seasons of the Fox show, working with high-profile talent including Brad Pitt, Ben Stiller, and Jennifer Aniston. “It was fantastic,” he said.”I worked with everyone from Brad Pitt to Ben Stiller to Jennifer Aniston, as it was a show everyone wanted to be on. It opened up so many doors for us to create our own shows and do our own features.” He noted a loss of “the structure of the business” compared to that era.
The success of King of the Hill led the trio – Altschuler, Judge, and Krinsky – to Silicon Valley, driven by a desire to accurately portray the tech world. “Nobody was doing anything about technology,” he explained. “The closest was Big Bang Theory, which was just about geniuses and didn’t get it right, and when Dave, Mike Judge and I do something we try to get it right, so that’s why I did Silicon Valley.”
After conversations with Silicon Valley executives who claimed their primary motivation was “making the world a better place,” rather than profit, Altschuler described the tech leaders as “horrible people…greedy, ravenous, terrible people,” adding, “I like big targets.”
Addressing the impact of the 2023 labor strikes, Altschuler acknowledged the industry has “always been a game of chance,” but that success remains attainable despite increased uncertainty. “You have as much chance to succeed as ever it’s just a little more unclear of how to get there. With more avenues [available] it is the good and the bad.”
