Ellis Weiner is an author and humorist who has previously worked as an editor of National Lampoon and a columnist for Spy Magazine. His humor has also appeared in The New Yorker, Paris Review, and the New York Times Magazine. Ellis was raised in Pikesville, Maryland. He attended Wellwood Elementary School, Sudbrook Junior High, Pikesville High School and the University of Pennsylvania. His theatrical and literary talent was obvious to all who knew him. In college, he played drums and sang in a rock band called Droylesden Wake. His first produced work was the 1967 Pikesville High Junior Play, an original parody using music from H.M.S. Pinafore and other Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Otts has an athletic history as well. He was a split end in the Development Football League from 1961 to 1964 with the Summit Park Colts Association.