About
"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!"
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.
Highlights
Eddie Brill on forming a comedy team with Denis Leary at Emerson College
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
Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman
Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business
Eddie Brill on the healing power of humor, and on what he's learned from being a comedian
Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin
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
Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman
Professions
Comedian
Eddie Brill on learning comedy
Eddie Brill on developing a comedic voice
Eddie Brill on comedians using blue material
Eddie Brill on learning from older comedians
Eddie Brill on comedians being born or made
Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business
Eddie Brill on the comedian's relationship to their audience
Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin
Eddie Brill on writing jokes, and on the power of laughter
Eddie Brill on what he gets out of being a comedian
Performers
Eddie Brill on teaching and learning comedy
Eddie Brill on developing a comedic voice
Eddie Brill on comedians using blue material
Eddie Brill on learning from older comedians
Eddie Brill on comedians being born or made
Eddie Brill on dealing with the business end of show business
Eddie Brill on the comedian's relationship to their audience
Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin
Eddie Brill on writing jokes, and on the power of laughter
Eddie Brill on what he gets out of being a comedian
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
Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman
People
Sid Caesar
Eddie Brill on partaking in a tribute to Sid Caesar, and on Norm Crosby and Jack Carter
George Carlin
Eddie Brill on a Danny Thomas St. Jude benefit, and on George Carlin
Aretha Franklin
Eddie Brill on auditioning, and on working with Aretha Franklin
David Letterman
Eddie Brill on his early stand-up career, and on becoming the audience warm-up guy for Late Show with David Letterman
Eddie Brill on his warm-up routine for Late Show with David Letterman
Danny Thomas
Eddie Brill on a Danny Thomas St. Jude benefit, and on George Carlin