Michael Rubens
Michael Rubens | |
|---|---|
| Education | Wesleyan University |
| Occupations | Producer and author |
| Known for | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee |
Michael Rubens (also sometimes known as Mike Rubens)[1] is an American comedian and author.
Career
Television
Rubens worked as a producer and correspondent for the television program Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations: Outstanding Variety Talk Series in 2020 as a producer, and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 2018 for Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Presents: The Great American Puerto Rico (It’s Complicated).[2] He has covered stories from the southern boarder, climate change, and Jeb Bush’s doomed 2016 presidential bid.[3][4] He also worked as a field producer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
As a television writer and producer, Rubens has worked for AOL Studios, CNNfn, The New York Times, Oxygen, and Travel Channel.[5]
Author
Rubens is the author of four novels. His debut novel, The Sheriff of Yrnameer (Pantheon, 2009), was described by Stephen Colbert as “a science fiction book your grandmother will love — if she’s a lustful, violent lady.”[6] Publishers Weekly called the novel “a rocket-fast, knee-slapping narrative" that is "lighthearted and adventure-filled.”[7]
His second novel, Sons of the 613 (Clarion Books, 2012), was selected by Kirkus Reviews, the Young Adult Library Services Association, and Tablet magazine as one of the year’s best books and received a perfect score of 10 from Voice of Youth Advocates.[8][9]
His third novel, The Bad Decisions Playlist (Clarion Books, 2016), received positive reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus Reviews, and was optioned by Fox Broadcasting Company for a television adaptation.[10] School Library Journal described the novel as “a fun, smart, at times heartbreaking read about families, love, choices, consequences, and the power of music,” while Booklist called it “an infectious read” and praised its “heart.”[11][12]
His fourth novel, Emily and the Spellstone (HarperCollins, 2017), is a young adult fantasy novel.[13]
Rubens’s essays and humor writing have appeared in The New Yorker Daily Shouts, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, HuffPost Comedy, and Salon.
Personal life
Rubens lives in Brooklyn with his wife, the graphic designer Alicia Cheng.[14]
References
- ^ Williams, David (2017-03-09). "Samantha Bee's apology doesn't impress cancer patient". CNN. Retrieved 2017-07-27.
- ^ "Mike Rubens". Television Academy. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "YouTube Video". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
- ^ "YouTube Video". YouTube. Retrieved 2026-05-11.
- ^ "Michael Rubens". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "The Sheriff of Yrnameer". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "The Sheriff of Yrnameer". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "Sons of the 613". American Library Association. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ Ingall, Marjorie (2012-12-04). "The Best Kids' Books of 2012". Tablet Magazine. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "Fox Developing Father-Son Dramedy 'The Bad Decisions Playlist' From Adam Milch, Craig Brewer & Temple Hill". Deadline. 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "The Bad Decisions Playlist". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "Booklist Online Product Page". Booklist Online. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ Longoria, Margie (2017-06-01). "Emily and the Spellstone". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
- ^ "Weddings; Alicia Cheng, Michael Rubens". The New York Times. 2001-11-04. Retrieved 2026-05-08.
External links
- Official website
- Michael Rubens at IMDb
- "Welcome, CSA" at The New Yorker
- Michael Rubens at McSweeney’s