The writers of Stephen's Life are having difficulty casting their "Stephen" in this third episode, while Mark and Shoot are in trouble due to the shape of their script. The “Stephen’s Life” writers move onto casting with the role of “Beth the babysitter”—the crush of “Stephen.” Joanna, Andrew’s sister reads for the role of Joanna and nails it. The executive producers find out, thinks she’s great, but warns that working with a sibling can be tricky.

By Christine Blackmon
Reality Reel Media
08.04.05

In the meantime, the entire script of the “Sperm Donor” is a problem. The writers strive to show depth of characters in the rewrite and the producers can’t lead them too much because it’s a contest. With a call to the executive producer, Todd Milner, the producers express their concerns about the “Sperm Donor” script saying “they cannot afford to be this far behind.”

For both teams the task of completing their rough drafts is given a deadline of 9 p.m. At this point, if they miss one deadline it throws everything off. Reviewing the drafts, the producers are impressed with the “Sperm Donor” script. They have expanded their characters as well as their storyline—taking a huge leap, by making sense and being charming and amusing at the same time. For the writers of “Stephen’s Life,” things didn’t go so good. Stephen was meaner in this draft, the script was weaker and they “took a huge step back,” according to the producers. They also felt that the writers were resistant and defensive to writing lines that would appeal to actors and offer options and different techniques for shooting.

The writers of “Sperm Donor” move onto casting. The task: finding the right “Clyde.” The writers feel that they are slowly inching their way to the other side of the table. Casting the character of the conflictive “Brooke,” Ashley’s audition had good timing, while Lauren was a natural. The character of Caitlin, the Ivy League mother, showed Michelle’s odd and quirky take of the character. For the character of Clyde, the group agreed that while Eric Alan Kramer was great, David Deluise was better, encompassing the larger than life quality of “Clyde.” Overall, the writers of the “Sperm Donor” had a great day of casting.

The writer’s of “Stephen’s Life” concluded that in order to find a “Stephen,” they need to look in New York, specifically looking at theatre kids. The State of the Union revealed that the writers for the “Sperm Donor” would be allowed to proceed to production design and begin exploring the prop houses. The writers of “Stephen’s Life” must make their script more solid, telling a story while changing dialogue and storyline. Looks like long hours and late nights are ahead.