How to Become a Respectable Comedian | Dick Cavett | Big Think | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A comedian recounts how he became a successful nighttime talk show host after initially aiming to be a guest on such shows.

Key Insights

• 🎭 Writing for others and performing oneself are two different skills in the comedy industry.
• 👻 The origin of the comedian's career as a talk show host was unexpected, as he initially aspired to be a guest on talk shows.
• 🧑‍🚒 Being intelligent does not necessarily mean being an intellectual, and the comedian had to fight against this label.
• 🚚 Successful comedians have an inborn talent for delivering jokes effectively.
• 🖐️ Physical characteristics can play a role in comedic performances, but each comic's persona is distinctive.
• 👋 The best advice the comedian received was to make interviews feel more like conversations rather than rigid Q&A sessions.
• 😷 The phrase "let me ask you this" in interviews can feel redundant and unnecessary.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: How did the comedian transition from writing for others to hosting his own talk show?

After his show pilot was unsuccessful, he was offered a daytime talk show, which later evolved into a successful nighttime talk show career.

Q: Did the comedian ever consider himself an intellectual?

No, the comedian fought against the label of being an intellectual as he believed it wouldn't help him commercially. He considered himself intelligent but not an intellectual.

Q: Can anyone learn to deliver jokes and become a successful comedian?

According to the comedian, delivering jokes well and being a successful comedian is an inborn talent. Comedy cannot be taught at a comedy school, contrary to what some may claim.

Q: How did the comedian approach writing jokes for himself as a stand-up comic?

Writing jokes for oneself can be challenging as the comedian realized he had to figure out who he was on stage. Physical comedians have certain advantages, but each comic's stage persona is unique.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The comedian started his career writing for Johnny and Jack and had hoped to become a guest on talk shows.

• The pilot for a show he hosted was not successful, but he was offered a daytime talk show, which eventually became a nighttime talk show.

• He initially had to fight against the intellectual label and realized that being intelligent and being an intellectual were different things.