Comedy Writing and The Late Show with David Letterman

The transcript discusses the daily routine and challenges of comedy writing for the Letterman show. It highlights the importance of practice in developing writing skills, the process of content creation, and the role of writers in supporting David Letterman's improvisational style. The writer shares insights on how the best moments often come from spontaneous reactions rather than scripted content.

What does the speaker compare comedy writing to?

• A daily chore

• A spontaneous act

• A muscle that needs exercise

• A mathematical equation

How did the speaker's joke writing output change over time?

• It varied unpredictably

• It increased from 15 to 50-60 jokes a day

• It remained the same

• It decreased significantly

What is the main goal when creating content for the Letterman show?

• To produce a small amount of high-quality content

• To write only serious content

• To create a large volume of content to find the best material

• To focus solely on the monologue

According to the speaker, what often results in the funniest moments on the show?

• Guest appearances

• Audience interactions

• David Letterman's real-time reactions

• Pre-written jokes

What is the role of the writers on nights when Letterman might not feel funny?

• To write new jokes on the spot

• To take over the show

• To cancel the show

• To provide an act for him