‘Blossom’ Creator, ‘Two and a Half Men’ Exec Producer Don Reo to Receive WGA’s Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for TV Writing

Veteran TV writer and producer Don Reo , whose lengthy career includes everything from “MASH” and “The Golden Girls” to “Blossom,” “My Wife & Kids” and “Two and a Half Men,” will receive this year’s Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement at the Writers Guild Awards. The honor, presented by the Writers Guild of America West, is given to a member who has “advanced the literature of television and made outstanding contributions to the profession of the television writer.” Reo will receive the award during the 2026 Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, March 8, at JW Marriott L.A. Live Los Angeles. “Blossom” star Mayim Bialik will present the honor to Reo. Popular on Variety “I am touched and honored to receive this wonderful award,” said Reo. “It gives me hope for the future.” Added Bialik: “Don Reo is a living legend: a master of the written word and an inspirational thinker and creator. I am honored to be a part of the acknowledgment of his diverse, hilarious, and phenomenal career.” Early in his career, Reo worked as a staff writer on shows including “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “All in the Family,” “Sanford and Son” and “MASH.” He also wrote on “The Golden Girls” and its spinoff series “Empty Nest.” After that, Reo created “Blossom,” followed by co-creating “The John Larroquette Show.” He was also showrunner on the short-lived but critically acclaimed Hollywood satire series “Action.” Reo later co-created and executive produced “My Wife & Kids” with Damon Wayans, and he was a writer and exec producer on “Everybody Hates Chris.” Reo was an exec producer on “Two and a Half Men” through its 12-year run, and became co-showrunner with Jim Patterson in 2012. Considered the WGA West’s highest honor for television writing, the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement last year went to “Breaking Bad” creator Vince Gilligan . Past recipients include Linda Bloodworth Thomason, Yvette Lee Bowser, Merrill Markoe, Jenji Kohan, Diane English, Aaron Sorkin, Steven Bochco, Susan Harris, Stephen J. Cannell, Shonda Rhimes, David Chase, Marta Kauffman & David Crane, Larry David, Garry Marshall and Alison Cross.

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