Worked as a joke writer; sold material to such comics as Joan Rivers

Met future writing partner Lowell Ganz at Hollywood's Comedy Store in the early 1970s

Given the nickname 'Babaloo' by Ganz as an allusion to a character in the Philip Roth novel, "Portnoy's Complaint"

Got married; teamed up with Ganz the next day to write for TV

First TV staff writer job on "Laverne and Shirley"

Approached by producer Brian Grazer with the story idea for "Night Shift"

First feature credit for screenplay of Ron Howard's "Night Shift"; first collaboration with Grazer and Howard

Received Oscar nomination for contributions to script for "Splash"

Collaborated with Dan Aykroyd on screenplay for John Landis' "Spies Like Us"

Served as executive producer for short-lived TV sitcom version of "Gung Ho"

First collaboration with Billy Crystal on screenplay for "City Slickers"

First film with executive producer credit, Billy Crystal's "Mr. Saturday Night"

Collaborated on script of the sequel "City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold"

Co-wrote the Crystal vehicle "Forget Paris"

With Ganz, scripted the American remake of "Father's Day" which teamed Crystal with Robin Williams

Reteamed with Ron Howard, co-writing "EDtv"