Jose Arroyo: Conan, Comedy, and Breeding Aquaman

TL;DR

Former Conan writer Jose Arroyo shares his journey in comedy, emphasizing the importance of persistence and the need to constantly apply skills. He also discusses the state of comedy, highlighting the abundance of choices and the evolution of comedy content.

Transcript

to all the listeners um outweight your fear and outrage your impatience and keep applying your skills i interned at late night with conan o'brien and you were the only writer who i bugged that was nice the state of comedy is healthy because you can find things based on your friends or what's in the social media verse there's much more choices now t... Read More

Key Insights

• 💋 Persistence is crucial in pursuing a career in comedy. It took Arroyo 10 years of practice to become a TV-worthy comedy writer, emphasizing the need to stick with it and not give up.
• 🤕 The state of comedy has evolved with the digital age, offering more choices and catering to niche audiences. Viewers can find a range of comedy styles, from traditional sitcoms to more avant-garde content.
• 💁 Comedy content creation has become more accessible with technology, allowing aspiring comedians to try their hand at different mediums and formats.
• 🧑‍🏭 The process of selecting comedy sketches for shows involves various factors, including relevance to current events, balancing different types of jokes, and audience engagement.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the most frustrating thing about working in a traditional media setting like Late Night with Conan O'Brien?

The most frustrating aspect was that ideas were often considered expensive, limiting the creative freedom and the ability to bring unique concepts to the show. However, working in a traditional media setting also provided stability and praise for the work produced.

Q: How has the landscape of comedy changed over the years?

The abundance of choices in the digital age has led to a more niche-driven comedy landscape. Audiences can now find content based on their preferences, whether it's traditional sitcoms, animated shows, or even more avant-garde comedy styles. This has resulted in a wider range of comedy options, catering to different tastes.

Q: How do you stay motivated and continue to apply your skills after leaving Conan?

Arroyo believes in persistence and outweighing fear and impatience. He advises creators to keep applying their skills, even when it may seem difficult or discouraging. It may take time to master a new style or medium, but the key is to keep practicing and not give up on oneself.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jose Arroyo interned at Late Night with Conan O'Brien and worked as a writer and content producer for the show for nearly two decades.

• Arroyo emphasizes the importance of persistence in pursuing a career in comedy and shares his own experience of ten years of practice before becoming a TV-worthy comedy writer.

• He discusses the state of comedy, noting the wide variety of choices available to viewers and the shift towards niche audiences and specific comedy styles.