David Kreizman (born 1974) is an American writer known for his work on television soap operas. He is a graduate of the

University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the university is ranked among the top academic institutions in the United States, with highly selective ad ...

. He was signed as a head writer at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) from March 21, 2013 to August 15, 2014. He is the founder of Gen Z Media. His debut book "The Year They Fell" was published in 2019. Kreizman was a member of the writing team for the CBS Daytime soap opera '' Guiding Light'' since the late 1990s. In 2004, he was promoted to the position of Head Writer by newly appointed Executive Producer Ellen Wheeler. He replaced writer

Ellen Weston Ellen Weston (born Ellen Weinstein) is an American actress, producer, and writer. Early years Born in New York City, Weston is the daughter of educators; her mother was a teacher, and her father was a superintendent of schools. She attended Perfo ...

. Much was made of Kreizman's age, 29, at the time of his appointment as Head Writer. In July 2009, Kreizman accepted the position of Co-Head Writer at another CBS soap opera, ''

As the World Turns ''As the World Turns'' (often abbreviated as ''ATWT'') is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS for 54 years from April 2, 1956, to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created ''As the World Turns'' as a sister show to her other s ...

''. After ''

s cancellation was announced, he became Co-Head Writer of '' All My Children'' in March, 2010. He and co-head writer Donna Swajeski would share those duties until they were both replaced a year later.

''Guiding Light''

Under Kreizman's watch, several new stories were introduced, most notably the introduction of Reva Lewis's illegitimate son Jonathan Randall, who proved to be much darker and volatile than many previous ''GL'' characters. The story engendered further controversy with Jonathan's actions; before anyone realized his true identity, he seduced his cousin Tammy, which initially caused her much anguish after his identity was revealed. The story wandered into further controversy when Tammy and Jonathan became a couple. Kreizman also created Josh and Cassie as a married couple, despite a huge Josh/Reva fan following.

Ratings

''GL'' reached a record low of 2,009,000 viewers for the week of May 30, 2008. Its previous lows were 2,025,000 viewers (week of July 13, 2007), and 2,080,000 viewers (week of May 1, 2008). Ratings continued to slide for most soap operas into 2009, including ''Guiding Light'', which set a new record low viewership of 1,810,000 for the week of June 8, 2009. However, Kreizman and his team won the

Daytime Emmy Award The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences ...

for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series, and the serial tied for Outstanding Drama Series in 2007. It is difficult to determine the effect of Kreizman's writing on the final ratings because the show adopted a radical new production model in 2008 that divided opinion among viewers. When Kreizman took over as head writer in 2004, the show was already facing budget cuts and the threat of cancellation, and lasted several more years after that.

Other writing projects

He and several other writers launched Gen Z Media, and are part of the creative team of "Six Minutes," a new scripted audio podcast aimed at young listeners. ''The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel'' won a Peabody Award in 2016. Former daytime scribe

Tom Casiello Tom Casiello is an American writer. Casiello has written content for three distinct entertainment genres. Casiello began his career as a soap opera writer, working on a number of shows as a staff writer. He was then hired by WWE, where he se ...

is a writer on the show

Kreizman is also the author of the young adult novel ''The Year They Fell''.

Personal life

Kreizman's parents are Ira and Joan Kreizman. Ira Kreizman is a superior court judge in Freehold Borough, New Jersey, Freehold,

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

, and Joan is a school principal. Kreizman married Natasha Katzive, an Associate Director on ''Guiding Light'', on April 15, 2000. He has three children with Natasha.

Positions held

WWE

*Head writer: March 21, 2013 – August 15, 2014

''All My Children''

*Co-head writer (with Donna Swajeski): March 15, 2010 - April 1, 2011 (first air date: May 12, 2010; last air date: June 24, 2011)

''As the World Turns''

*Co-head writer (with

Jean Passanante Jean Passanante (born June 26, 1953) is an American television screenwriter, best known for her work in soap opera, daytime soap operas. Passanante got her start as an actress doing bit parts in the 1980s, including John Sayles's ''Return of the S ...

): July 8, 2009 - March 2010 (first air date October 6, 2009; last air date June 4, 2010)

''Days of our Lives''

*Script writer: (November 11, 2016 – present)

''General Hospital''

*Breakdown writer/Script writer: October 24, 2011 – May 9, 2012

''Guiding Light''

*Co head writer: August 22, 2008 – September 18, 2009 *Head writer: (July 6, 2004 - February 29, 2008; April 14, 2008 – August 21, 2008) *Associate head writer: (2001 – July 5, 2004) *Script writer: (1999–2000) *Assistant to the producer: (1997–1998) *Production coordinator: (1995–1996) *Production intern: (1995)

''Spyder Games''

*Writer: 2001

Awards and nominations

Daytime Emmy Awards The Daytime Emmy Awards, or Daytime Emmys, are part of the extensive range of Emmy Awards for artistic and technical merit for the American television industry. Bestowed by the New York–based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (N ...

*Win (2007, Best Writing, Guiding Light) *Nominations: (1999, 2003, 2008, Best Writing, ''Guiding Light'', and 2010, 2011, Best Writing, ''As The World Turns'') Writers Guild Of America Award *Win (2010 season; As the World Turns - shared with Susan Dansby, Lucky Gold, Janet Iacobuzio, Penelope Koechl, Leah Laiman, David A. Levinson, Leslie Nipkow, Jean Passanante, Gordon Rayfield, and David Smilow) *Win (2004 season; Guiding Light) *Nominations: (1998, 2001, 2002 season; ''Guiding Light'') Peabody Awards 2017.

References

External links

CBS-TV: GL
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kreizman, David American soap opera writers 1974 births Living people Writers Guild of America Award winners University of Virginia alumni