“A friend came up to me and said ‘The problem is you're really angry, and you're not yelling. When you go back up on stage I want you to start yelling.’ And I did. And that was it - it was like the light had started shining.”

    About This Interview

    In his hour-and-a-half interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Lewis Black talks about his early interest in drama, and what made him decide to be a comedian. He speaks of developing his routine, and crafting his comedic persona that The Daily Show audiences would eventually come to know. Black speaks of anger in comedy, as well as politics, and if comedy can be learned. He discusses the business of show business, and the importance of cultivating longevity in a comedy career. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on October 19, 2005 in New York, NY.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Lewis Black with Emerson College

    Lewis Black on developing his comic persona

    05:41
    Thumbnail of Lewis Black with Emerson College

    Lewis Black on the value of comedy to change things and help people get through life

    05:46
    Thumbnail of Lewis Black with Emerson College

    Lewis Black on working out his stand-up routine in front of audiences

    03:47
    Thumbnail of Lewis Black with Emerson College

    Lewis Black on the then-future of comedy

    03:37
    Thumbnail of Lewis Black with Emerson College

    Lewis Black on his early interest in playwriting

    04:28
    Thumbnail of Lewis Black with Emerson College

    Lewis Black on the academic study of comedy

    01:47
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On The Steve Allen Show's influence, and on Henry Morgan; on his early interest in playwriting; on his early interest in drama, and on becoming a comedian

    13:15

    On doing open mic nights at Catch a Rising Star in New York City; on working out his stand-up routine in front of audiences; on developing his comic persona

    12:39

    On the source of the anger in his comedy, and learning how to use the anger; on audience reaction to the evolution of his angry character; on doing political humor

    16:12

    On judging how far he can go with audiences; on whether comedy can be taught; on dealing with the business end of show business as a comedian

    17:18

    On longevity in a comedian's career; on the value of comedy to change things and help people get through life; on the academic study of comedy

    16:22

    On the academic study of comedy; on the then-future of comedy; on looking back on his career

    07:55

    Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)

    Lewis Black on The Steve Allen Show's influence, and on Henry Morgan

    03:02

    Fame and Celebrity

    Lewis Black and dealing with fame and celebrity, and on the trajectory of his career

    05:50

    Pop Culture

    Lewis Black and dealing with fame and celebrity, and on the trajectory of his career

    05:50

    Television Industry

    Lewis Black on longevity in a comedian's career

    02:59

    Lewis Black on working out his stand-up routine in front of audiences

    03:47

    Comedian

    Lewis Black on his early interest in drama, and on becoming a comedian

    05:45

    Lewis Black on doing open mic nights at Catch a Rising Star in New York City

    03:11

    Lewis Black on working out his stand-up routine in front of audiences

    03:47

    Lewis Black on developing his comic persona

    05:41

    Lewis Black on the source of the anger in his comedy, and learning how to use the anger

    07:53

    Lewis Black on audience reaction to the evolution of his angry character

    01:52

    Lewis Black on doing political humor

    06:26

    Lewis Black on judging how far he can go with audiences

    04:03

    Lewis Black on whether comedy can be taught

    05:54

    Lewis Black on dealing with the business end of show business as a comedian

    07:21

    Lewis Black on longevity in a comedian's career

    02:59

    Performers

    Lewis Black on his early interest in drama, and on becoming a comedian

    05:45

    Lewis Black on doing open mic nights at Catch a Rising Star in New York City

    03:11

    Lewis Black on working out his stand-up routine in front of audiences

    03:47

    Lewis Black on developing his comic persona

    05:41

    Lewis Black on the source of the anger in his comedy, and learning how to use the anger

    07:53

    Lewis Black on audience reaction to the evolution of his angry character

    01:52

    Lewis Black on doing political humor

    06:26

    Lewis Black on judging how far he can go with audiences

    04:03

    Lewis Black on whether comedy can be taught

    05:54

    Lewis Black on dealing with the business end of show business as a comedian

    07:21

    Lewis Black on longevity in a comedian's career

    02:59

    Talk Shows

    Lewis Black on The Steve Allen Show's influence, and on Henry Morgan

    03:02

    Steve Allen

    Lewis Black on The Steve Allen Show's influence, and on Henry Morgan

    03:02

    Henry Morgan

    Lewis Black on The Steve Allen Show's influence, and on Henry Morgan

    03:02

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