Greg Mottola ’91 Directs the First Three Episodes of 'Dave' on FX

Alumnus Greg Mottola ’91 directed the first three episodes of Dave, an FX original comedy series which premiered in March. The show was recently renewed for a second season after becoming the network's most-watched comedy series ever after streaming on Hulu. Mottola also served as an executive producer on the show.  

Dave is based on the life of rapper, comedian and the show’s co-creator Dave Burd (stage name Lil Dicky). It tells the story of a neurotic man in his late twenties who has convinced himself that he’s destined to be one of the best rappers of all time. Now he must convince his closest friends, because with their help, he actually might convince the world. 

Screenwriter and director Greg Mottola is best known for his coming-of-age comedies Adventureland and Superbad. Mottola made his feature directing debut in 1996 with The Daytrippers, an independent comedy starring Hope Davis, Stanley Tucci, Parker Posey, and Liev Schrieber. Mottola wrote the script for the film, which won a FIPRESCI at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Grand Prix award at the Deauville Film Festival, and the audience award at the Athens International Film Festival. Mottola also wrote and directed Adventureland, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart. He directed the short film Swingin’ in the Painter’s Room. Mottola has also worked in television, having directed episodes of The Newsroom, Arrested Development, The Comeback, Cracking Up, and Undeclared, as well as the TV movie The Big Wide World of Carl Laemke. He directed Clear History for HBO in 2013 and the feature film Keeping Up with the Joneses, starring Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Isla Fisher and Gal Gadot, in 2016.

The second season of Dave will premiere in 2021 with a specific release date yet to be announced.