Lewis Black 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 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.

“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.”

Highlights

Lewis Black on developing his comic persona

05:41

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

05:46

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

03:47

Lewis Black on the then-future of comedy

03:37

Lewis Black on his early interest in playwriting

04:28

Lewis Black on the academic study of comedy

01:47

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

Shows

Steve Allen Show, The (1956-61)

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

03:02

Topics

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

Professions

Comedian

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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

View Profession

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

Genres

Talk Shows

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

03:02

People

Steve Allen

View Interview Page

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

03:02

Henry Morgan

View Person Page

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

03:02