nbc NBC working with 'Simpsons' writer on holiday special

[V-Tech]

 

 

NBC is banking on a little bit of 'The Simpson's magic this holiday season.

 

Mike Reiss, who wrote for 'The Simpsons' when it began its run in 1989, will be helping the network adapt his children's book, "How Murray Saved Christmas," into an hour-long musical special to air in December 2014.

 

?Murray is the perfect project to get audiences into the holiday spirit, and Mike?s impressive comedic background makes him a great choice to put all the pieces together,? said NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke.

 

"Murray" tells the story of a deli owner named Murray Kleiner who fills in for Santa Claus one year and does a good job filling the big man's shoes.

 

Music for the special is being composed by Walter Murphy, an Oscar nominee for his work last year on the film "Ted." He also won an Emmy for his work on 'Family Guy' back in 2002.

 

Reiss left 'The Simpsons' after season four to focus on his next series, 'The Critic.' Since then, he has written episodes sporadically for Fox's long-running comedy masterpiece.

 

He has also worked as a writer on 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,' 'It's Garry Shandling's Show,' and "The Simpsons Movie."

 

Reiss has four Emmys from his writing/executive producing career.

 

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