McPAUL SMITH
Writer, creator, editorial director and team leader
with a rich background in games, music, kids' TV and media branding
WRITING & PRODUCTION CREDITS
Molly of Denali (PBS) – Writer on first and current seasons of PBS animated series about IT literacy and life in Alaska, produced by WGBH. 2018, 2021.
Charlie’s Colorforms City (Netflix) – Head Writer on Season 2 of animated preschool series about creative storytelling and shape play, created by Angela Santomero, produced by 9Story Media. 22 episodes including interactive movie special. Scripted in 2019 – 2020 to begin streaming July 2021.
The FurryTones (Pinna) – Co-creator, EP, Writer, Composer. Parents’ Choice Award-winning musical adventure podcast on Pinna, the subscription kids’ audio streaming service. 20 episodes produced in 2018 – 2019, currently streaming.
Money on the Sidewalk (Pinna) – Co-creator, EP, Game Designer, Writer, Composer. Hilarious kid-on-the-street game show. 20 episodes produced in 2018 – 2019, currently streaming.
Wonderama (Syndicated) - Game Producer, Writer. Created, wrote and produced live-in-studio games for re-booted classic kids’ TV variety show, hosted by David Osmond. Syndicated. 2017 – 2019.
Arthur (PBS) – Writer on final season of long-running animated kids’ show based on the Marc Brown book series, produced by WGBH. 2018.
Sprout House (Universal Kids) – Writer. Scripted holiday and summer specials featuring the cast of “Sprout House” hosting block. 2017 – 2018.
Doctor Who: The Doctor’s Finest (BBC America) – Writer and Executive Producer of Doctor Who after-show interview series hosted by Hannah Hart. 10 episodes, 2016.
World’s Dumbest (TruTV) – Head Writer on TruTV’s highly-rated, caustic weekly video count-down of the world’s dumbest drivers, criminals, performers, daredevils, and inventions. 30 episodes, 2010 – 2012.
Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (Syndicated) – Producer for Season 10 of iconic daily game show hosted by Meredith Vieira. Built quizzes, oversaw play, briefed host on all content. 2010.
Head Games (Science) – Head Writer on video/comedy game show, hosted by Greg Proops and created by Whoopi Goldberg and Tom Leonardis of Whoop Productions. 40 episodes. 2009.
Bet The House (Nick@Nite) – Co-creator, EP/Show Runner, “the game show that comes to your house and just might leave with it.” This short-form, interstitial series brought family competition and brand integration to Nick at Nite in prime time. 2006 – 2007.
The Backyardigans (Nick Jr.) - Head Writer, animated preschool music adventure series. Daytime Emmy Nominee, Outstanding Writing for Animation. Head wrtier 2003; lyricist 2003 – 2006.
U-Pick Live (Nickelodeon) – Head Writer / Development producer, live daily afternoon hosting segments. 2005 – 2006.
Reading Rainbow (PBS) – Writer for beloved literacy series produced by Lancet Media. Emmy Nominee, Outstanding Writing for Children’s show. 1994 – 1995.
The New Mickey Mouse Club (Disney Channel) – Staff Writer on variety/music/sketch show. Yes, I worked with JT, Britney and Ryan Gosling when they were teens. They never call me anymore. 1994.
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego (PBS) - Head Writer on first three seasons of acclaimed, Peabody and Emmy-winning Geography game show from WGBH and WQED. Oversaw all scripting, wrote many sketches and songs. 1991 – 1994.
MUSIC CREDITS
The FurryTones (Pinna) - composer, lyricist, producer. Created or co-created 41 songs in two seasons of this musical adventure podcast for kids.
Bear in the Big Blue house (Disney Channel) – Lyricist with composer Brian Woodbury on songs in all three seasons of this Henson production for Playhouse Disney. 2004 – 2006.
Lazy Town (Nick Jr.) – Lyricist in both seasons of this live-action/puppet/CGI show from Iceland, with composer Manni Svaverson. 2004.
The Backyardigans (Nick Jr.) - Lyricist, animated preschool music adventure series. Daytime Emmy Nominee, Outstanding Writing for Animation. Co-wrote more than 20 songs with composer Evan Lurie, 2003 – 2006.
The Book of Pooh (Disney Channel) – Lyricist with composers Brian Woodbury and Bob Goldberg, seven songs in both seasons of this Winnie-the-Pooh puppetry series, 2001 - 2002
NETWORK STAFF POSITIONS
BBC America - Creative Director, Creative Services, 2012 – 2017.
Nick@Nite – VP Creative, On-air Promos, 2006 – 2008.
Nickelodeon – Creative Director, On-air Promos, 2003 – 2006.
Nickelodeon - Editorial Director, On-air Creative, 1997 – 2002.
MTV – Senior Writer, Editorial Creative, 1995 - 1997.
National Geographic Children's TV - Editorial Director, 1994.
BACKGROUND
BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA
WGA East; ASCAP; AEA – Member
Long-time member of Washboard Jungle, New York’s foremost post-modern jug band, The Bloomingfields, an NJ-based jangly power-pop combo, and the Maplewood Glee Club, a men’s chorus of dubious repute.