Steve Marmel

Comedian turned writer/creator of children's TV shows, Steve Marmel made the shift into television after being approached at a stand-up performance. A representative of renowned animation studio Hanna-Barbera suggested that Marmel's style might be adjusted to appeal to a younger audience, and he soon began writing for the popular "Johnny Bravo" series. He wrote briefly for "I Am Weasel" and "Cow and Chicken" while also preparing for his own "Comedy Central Presents" stand-up special. He next produced and wrote for "The Fairly OddParents" in both its TV and film versions. Working again with "Fairly OddParents" creator Butch Hartman, Marmel filled the same dual role for "Danny Phantom," another animated tale about a boy with ghostly powers. After he worked on a couple more series as a writer for hire, Disney offered him the chance to create his own live action series, resulting in "Sonny with a Chance," about a Midwestern girl who moves to Los Angeles to join a sketch comedy show. In addition to his television work, Marmel has written comic political commentary and rants for "The Huffington Post" and his own website.