Comedy
That’s me in back
From the picture, you might think working at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart was all gold statues and grabass. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most days were marathons of pitch meetings, writing sessions, notes meetings, grabass, rewriting sessions, more grabass, and, finally, a last-minute punchup derailed only briefly by… you get the idea.
For real, though, it was 11 years of delightful collaboration. (And seven gold statues.) I learned comedy structures, TV production, and leadership from the most brilliant people in the business, equipping me later to take on Head Writer and Showrunner roles at Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons and The President Show, among others.
Here are three pieces of work which I took a significant part in creating, along with the lessons they taught me.
1. Limits are good
Productionwise, a talk show is just a desk. That forced us to take swings so wild they turned out sort of mild. When the real John McCain boycotted our show, someone pitched replacing him with a felt imposter. I wrote, voiced, and operated Puppet John McCain because I was who was available. (Another limit.)
(Link plays on Comedy Central site.)
2. Breaking limits is great
Larry Wilmore’s arrival as Senior Black Correspondent opened up fresh territory for the The Daily Show and for me. His talent and sensibility, paired with my experience of what worked on the show, made for an enduring partnership and some of my most memorable segments as a writer.
(Link plays on Comedy Central site.)
3. Transgression is not enough
As Showrunner of The President Show, my job was to steer the sublimely talented Anthony Atamanuik into contexts that goofed on Trump’s degeneracy without celebrating it—and to make sure everyone in the building knew the difference. This piece, produced by Jessica Vitkus, edited by Steve Rosenthal, walked that narrow path with hilarity and charm.
Comedy Resume
STOP THE DIS!
Wrote and produced a series of 10 online videos debunking disinformation on social media for star Al Madrigal.
Network
LatiNation
Role
Executive Producer
Year
2024
BEAT THE GEEKS (Pilot)
Led a team of producers rebooting a quirky legacy property for host Blake Anderson.
Network
Comedy Central
Role
Showrunner
Year
2020
GAMECHANGERS
Led a room of writers and producers to create GAMECHANGERS, a sports-themed evergreen show starring Noah Gardenswartz and Clayton English.
Network
TruTV
Role
Showrunner
Year
2019
THE PRESIDENT SHOW
Executive Produced 15 regular-season episodes and two scripted specials of the unique Anthony Atamanuik vehicle. Nominated for Writers Guild Award.
Network
Comedy Central
Role
Showrunner
Years
2017-18
ANY GIVEN WEDNESDAY with BILL SIMMONS
Led the writers room augmenting and amplifying Simmons’ distinct voice on sports on pop culture.
Network
HBO
Role
Head Writer
Year
2016
THE BRINK
Worked to break Season 2 of HBO's THE BRINK, a half-hour starring Jack Black and Tim Robbins.
Network
HBO
Role
Writer
Year
2015
THE TONIGHT SHOW starring JIMMY FALLON
Wrote monologue jokes and desk pieces for the top-rated late-night program in America.
Network
NBCUniversal
Role
Writer
Years
2013-15
THE DAILY SHOW with JON STEWART
Won seven Primetime Emmys, two Peabody Awards, and a Writers Guild Award.
Network
Comedy Central
Role
Writer
Years
2002-13