Eddie Brill with Emerson College

Comedian

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Eddie Brill talks about his early years, and forming a comedy team with Denis Leary at Emerson College. He discusses teaching and learning comedy, as well as how comedians develop their voices. He describes his job as the audience warm-up guy and comedy talent booker for Late Show with David Letterman, as well as his working relationship with Letterman. Brill speaks of how he deals with the business end of show business, and what he gets out of being a comedian. Jenni Matz and Bill Dana conducted the interview on October 18, 2005 in New York, NY.

"Some good advice for comedians is that when you're on a television show, even if you're not doing so well, just act like you're doing well. Fake it till you make it!"

Highlights

Eddie Brill on forming a comedy team with Denis Leary at Emerson College

06:00

Eddie Brill on his early stand-up career, and on becoming the audience warm-up guy and talent booker for Late Show with David Letterman

05:28

Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman

04:49

Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business

01:57

Eddie Brill on the healing power of humor, and on what he's learned from being a comedian

06:10

Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin

09:13

Full Interview

Chapter 1

On forming a comedy team with Denis Leary at Emerson College; on his early stand-up career, and on becoming the audience warm up guy for Late Show with David Letterman; on teaching and learning comedy

On developing a comedic voice; on comedians using blue material and on a Danny Thomas St. Jude benefit, and George Carlin; on learning from older comedians

On comedians being born or made; on dealing with the business end of show business; on the comedian's relationship to his audience

On auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin; on writing jokes, and on the power of laughter

On his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman; on what he gets out of being a comedian; on the healing power of humor, and on what he's learned from being a comedian

Shows

Late Show with David Letterman

Eddie Brill on his early stand-up career, and on becoming the audience warm-up guy for Late Show with David Letterman

05:28

Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman

04:49

Professions

Comedian

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Eddie Brill on learning comedy

03:34

Eddie Brill on developing a comedic voice

02:20

Eddie Brill on comedians using blue material

02:34

Eddie Brill on learning from older comedians

01:40

Eddie Brill on comedians being born or made

01:16

Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business

01:57

Eddie Brill on the comedian's relationship to their audience

04:37

Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin

09:13

Eddie Brill on writing jokes, and on the power of laughter

03:12

Eddie Brill on what he gets out of being a comedian

01:37

Performers

View Profession

Eddie Brill on teaching and learning comedy

03:34

Eddie Brill on developing a comedic voice

02:20

Eddie Brill on comedians using blue material

02:34

Eddie Brill on learning from older comedians

01:40

Eddie Brill on comedians being born or made

01:16

Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business

01:57

Eddie Brill on the comedian's relationship to their audience

04:37

Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin

09:13

Eddie Brill on writing jokes, and on the power of laughter

03:12

Eddie Brill on what he gets out of being a comedian

01:37

Genres

Late Night

Eddie Brill on his early stand-up career, and on becoming the audience warm-up guy for Late Show with David Letterman

05:28

Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman

04:49

People

Sid Caesar

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Eddie Brill on partaking in a tribute to Sid Caesar, and on Norm Crosby and Jack Carter

02:42

George Carlin

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Eddie Brill on a Danny Thomas St. Jude benefit, and on George Carlin

02:29

Aretha Franklin

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Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin

09:13

David Letterman

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Eddie Brill on his early stand-up career, and on becoming the audience warm-up guy for Late Show with David Letterman

05:28

Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman

04:49

Danny Thomas

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Eddie Brill on a Danny Thomas St. Jude benefit, and on George Carlin

02:29