years_active spouse article_title name occupation
1987 -- present ellen -rrb- svaco -lrb- 1997 -- present ; 1 child tim doyle
 tim doyle television producer , television writer
tim doyle

tim doyle is an american television producer and television writer .
his credits include `` dinosaurs '' , `` roseanne '' , `` grace under fire '' , `` ellen '' , `` sports night '' , `` still standing '' , `` the big bang theory '' , `` better off ted '' , `` rules of engagement '' and `` last man standing '' .
doyle grew up in glendale , california .
he is married to fellow television writer ellen svaco , who has written for the animated series `` talespin '' , `` darkwing duck '' and `` bonkers '' .
they have one child together .
he is alumnus of usc school of cinematic arts .
doyle is notable as journeyman sitcom `` show-runner , '' known for being hired to run troubled shows and help them accumulate enough episodes for syndication .
doyle is also widely credited with originating the term `` bay leaf , '' a term of art in television comedy .
a bay leaf is material written into a script with the explicit intention that it would be removed later -- either in subsequent drafts or in editing of the finished episode .
bay leaves are generally used to address unwanted network and studio notes .
