Plot Synopsis

ROUGH DRAFT WITH REZA ASLAN features host Reza Aslan, a professor of creative writing at UC-Riverside, talking with writers about their craft and their lives. In addition to one-on-one interviews filmed in front of a studio audience, each episode features clips of unscripted exclusive green room footage featuring Reza, the main guest, and the evening's musical guest, all sharing tales over multiple drinks prior to the show. Guests include television icon Norman Lear (ALL IN THE FAMILY), Jill Soloway (TRANSPARENT), Mike White (ENLIGHTENED), Damon Lindelof (LOST), Tim Kring (HEROES) and Gideon Raff (HOMELAND). Musical guests include composer Antonio Sanchez, composer Daniel Lanois, Local Natives, Ingrid Michaelson, The Bird & The Bee, Alison Sudol and others. Ovation will premiere this series on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT, with guest Norman Lear, who describes arriving in Hollywood, the early days of his career, his social activism and his take on the current state of the creative nation. Norman is joined by DIY indie music songwriter, Ingrid Michaelson.