Why do some stories stay with us forever, while others lose their magic?
This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome screenwriter, author, and game show researcher Steve Abramson for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, Hollywood, game shows, and the stories that shape who we are.
Steve shares how a childhood viewing of Star Wars sparked a lifelong love of movies, what it is really like working behind the scenes in television and game shows, and why modern franchises often struggle to recapture the joy and clarity that once made them timeless. We also explore why villains are often more compelling than heroes, how pressure changes performance, and what our favorite stories reveal about our hopes, fears, and curiosity.
This is an honest, curious conversation about creativity, culture, and the simple power of a good story told well. If you love movies, game shows, pop culture, or thoughtful conversations that connect the dots between entertainment and real life, this episode is for you.
This episode is sponsored by:
(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)
In this episode:
- Why stories matter
- How Star Wars sparked a love for storytelling
- Learning screenwriting before the internet
- Sending a screenplay to Hollywood at 15
- Why movie franchises lose their way
- What Star Wars got right and where it went wrong
- Why villains are more interesting than heroes
- The reality of writing for television today
- Behind the scenes of game shows
- Why game shows are harder than they look
- Knowing the answer vs performing under pressure
- How pressure changes creativity
- Why the stories we consume shape us
- Passing curiosity to the next generation
- Why great stories still matter
Quotations:
”I look at myself as a lawyer. I have to comb through every single question to make sure there are no multiple answers and that it’s worded correctly. Even one word out of place could change the whole meaning of it.” ~ Steve Abramson
“It changed the way I looked at every question from that point forward. You have to look at every angle and see if there’s a loophole anywhere.” ~ Steve Abramson
Bio:
Steve Abramson is a screenwriter, author, and television writer whose creative journey began at fifteen when he wrote his first screenplay and even managed to get someone at Amblin Entertainment to read it. After formally studying Film and Television at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Steve broke into professional television writing with credits including In a Heartbeat for the Disney Channel, story pitching for Star Trek, and writing for Survivor: Cook Islands. His career spans television pilots, network pitching, and extensive work on game shows, including Temptation, Boom, Million Second Quiz, and Funny You Should Ask. Alongside years in post production, Steve continues to create across media through projects like KnowItAllJoe.com and his children’s book The Bear in the Chair.
Guest Contact Info:
Website: https://steveabramson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowitalljoe1977/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Knowitalljoe1977
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-abramson-a550204/
