Big Think Interview with Bill Scheft | Big Think | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Bill Sheft shares his journey from being a stand-up comedian to becoming a writer for Late Night with David Letterman, highlighting his love for comedy and the challenges he faced.

Key Insights

• 👀 Bill Sheft's passion for comedy stemmed from his upbringing in a large Jewish family and watching influential comedians like Lenny Bruce.
• 💝 Late-night shows like Late Night with David Letterman have a team of writers who provide comedy content to support the host's spontaneous reactions and comedic moments.
• 💝 Late-night shows have evolved and changed over time due to factors such as shifting demographics, increased competition, and the influence of cable late-night shows.
• 💝 Comedy writing for late-night shows is a volume business, with writers producing a large quantity of jokes and content.
• 💝 The future of late-night shows may see a return to sillier and less politically driven content as the topicality trend reaches a critical mass.
• 💝 Late-night shows have the power to influence public opinion and even play a role in political events, although their main purpose is entertainment rather than education.
• 🤔 Writing comedy for television requires quick thinking, free association, and reaction to current events, while writing fiction allows for a slower, more deliberate process.
• 💝 Bill Sheft's experience with chronic pain and his journey to finding a cure influenced his latest novel, emphasizing the connection between art and personal experiences.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did Bill Sheft's journey in comedy begin?

Bill Sheft's love for comedy started at a young age, growing up in a big Jewish family with a funny dynamic. He began performing stand-up during his late teens, stealing jokes and performing at small venues.

Q: What motivated Bill Sheft to pursue a career in comedy?

While watching stand-up comedians like George Carlin and Richard Pryor, Bill realized that being a stand-up comic was something he could do. He was particularly influenced by Lenny Bruce and felt a strong desire to become a stand-up comedian himself.

Q: How did Bill Sheft transition from stand-up comedy to becoming a writer for Late Night with David Letterman?

After performing stand-up for 13 years, Bill joined Late Night with David Letterman in 1991 as a writer. His background as a sports writer and comedian helped him in crafting jokes and funny content for the show.

Q: How has the comedic sensibility of late-night shows evolved over time?

Late-night shows have become more diverse and competitive with the emergence of cable late-night shows like The Daily Show and Colbert. The focus has shifted towards being more topical, issue-oriented, and incorporating celebrity culture, resulting in a wider variety of comedy styles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bill Sheft discovered his love for comedy at a young age and began performing stand-up during his late teens.

• He pursued a career in sports writing and later transitioned to becoming a stand-up comic for 13 years before joining Late Night with David Letterman in 1991.

• The comedic sensibility of late-night shows has evolved over time, influenced by changing demographics and the emergence of cable late-night shows like The Daily Show and Colbert.