"How and Why" is an American television comedy-drama series that was created and written by Charlie Kaufman. The series was produced by FX Productions and was first announced in 2013, but it never made it past the pilot stage.
The series was set to follow Goodman Hesselman, a former children's science show host whose program gets canceled. In an effort to start over, Hesselman attempts to launch a new show in a small television market. However, Hesselman soon discovers that the station he is working for is a portal to a supernatural world, which complicates his efforts to rebuild his career.
The pilot episode of "How and Why" was directed by Kaufman and starred John Hawkes as Goodman Hesselman. However, despite positive critical reception, FX ultimately decided not to move forward with the series. Despite the show's cancellation, the pilot episode is still regarded as an example of Kaufman's idiosyncratic storytelling and his unique blend of humor and darkness.