The serious side of making people laugh
Larry David, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and Don Rickles are among those discussing the business of being funny for David Steinberg’s ‘Inside Comedy’ series.
David and Larry David on “Inside Comedy” (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
BY MARTIN MILLER, Los Angeles Times
Young comedy writers often ask Larry David for advice on how to make it in Hollywood. Here’s what he tells them — don’t have a family, don’t get married, don’t have any responsibilities.
When people rely on you — at least financially — your negotiating strength is diminished or completely eliminated, David said recently during a conversation about all things comedy with David Steinberg. The pair, friends since their early days as stand-ups in New York City, were together in David’s comfortable Santa Monica office to promote Steinberg’s 10-part Showtime series, “Inside Comedy,” which begins Thursday.
David Steinberg Explains Why There Are So Many Jews In Comedy
BY RAY RICHMOND
The TCA session today promoting Showtime’s forthcoming new comedian interview seriesInside Comedy got weird at a few points. One such moment came about midway through, when a questioner asked executive producer and host David Steinberg if being involved in the show was “a nonstop orgy where you were well-paid.” A shocked expression crossed Steinberg’s face before he replied, “Well, given that the focus was always on the other person, maybe I’d say it was like being a eunuch at an orgy.” Shortly thereafter, Steinberg was asked why there are so many Jews in comedy. “Jews are smarter,” came his reply, to great laughter in the room. Afterward, he elaborated that he wasn’t really being facetious. “Entertainment is always seized by the downtrodden and disenfranchised, which is why you maybe now see more young Latinos coming up,” he said. “And that was Jews back in the day.”
Six Things to Know About Showtime’s ‘Inside Comedy’
Intimate interviews and director/host David Steinberg’s approach to the series, the series promises to be both funny and intellectual and avoid “gotcha”-type questions.
BY LESLEY GOLDBERG
Sitcom director Steinberg (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mad About You, Designing Women) joined by Larry David and Tim Conway — two of his many subjects — previewed the series Thursday at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. Here are six things to know about Inside Comedy.
1. It will be both funny and intellectual. Is comedy hard to talk about? “Are you really asking me what’s funny? Are you out of your mind?!” It’s hard to talk about anything intellectually? “Yes, yes it is. It’s very hard, it’s hard to talk about anything intellectually.” Like Larry David‘s responses to the questions here, the series will be both funny and intellectual.
Showtime Goes ‘Inside Comedy’ With New Series
BY TIM KENNEALLY
Showtime has decided to pull some funny business.
The network said that it’s launching a new series, ‘Inside Comedy,’ that will feature comedian David Steinberg interviewing fellow funny-people about what drives their comedy.
Interview subjects in the 10-episode series include Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Mel Brooks, Don Rickles and Jonathan Winters.Interviewees will “share career-defining moments, personal struggles and the idols that inspired them, in an uncensored and hilarious one-on-one format,” according to Showtime.
Steinberg — whose recently served recurring directorial duties on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” — will direct all 10 episodes of the show, and co-executive produce with former “The Office” star Steve Carell, along with Carousel Productions’ Charlie Hartsock and Vance DeGeneres.
“Inside Comedy” premieres Jan. 26 at 11 p.m.
Steve Carell and David Steinberg Team To Produce Documentary About Comedians
BY NELLIE ANDREEVA
Steve Carell and David Steinberg have teamed for a documentary that will chronicle the evolution of comedy over the past sixty years through the eyes of several generations of comedians. The yet-untitled documentary, from Carell’s Carousel Prods., is already in production. Among the comedians interviewed by Steinberg are veterans Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Lily Tomlin, Don Rickles, and Carol Burnett, trendsetters Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen DeGeneres, Judd Apatow and Robin Williams, more recent stars Sarah Silverman, Chris Rock, Jane Lynch, and Tina Fey, as well as a host of up-and-comers.
David Signs on for Living In Your Car
Comedy centers on executive-turned-grifter
BY ETAN VLESSING
June 17, 2009, 04:49 PM ET, TORONTO
David Steinberg is to executive produce and direct the Canadian pay TV sitcom “Living in Your Car” from indie producer the Nightingale Co.
The 15-part comedy, created and written by George F. Walker, Joseph Kay and Dani Romain, will start shooting in September and will bow on Canada pay TV networks Movie Central and the Movie Network next year.
“Living in Your Car” portrays a fallen corporate executive-turned-grifter who clings to his lost empire by making his home in a luxury sedan.
David Headlines at the Festival of Jewish Humor
Saturday, February 21, 2009 • 8:00 pm
Canada College Theatre, Redwood City, CA
$38 Members / $45 non-Members
$50 Door / $75 VIP* Seating
Don’t miss this comedic legend cited by The New York Times as one of the best and most creative directors working in television
today. The accomplished writer and director is the recipient of several Emmy Awards and nominations for his work on Weeds, Seinfeld, Friends, Curb Your Enthusiasm and many others. A founding member of the famed Second City,
Mr. Steinberg is currently the executive producer, creator and host of TVLand’s popular series, Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg (www.thedavidsteinberg.com). Enjoy a hilarious evening with one of today’s most prolific entertainers.
*VIP tickets to David Steinberg include prime assigned seating and a $25 tax deductible donation. To learn more, contact Rachel Goldman at 650.378.2764.
Order tickets & more information: http://www.pjcc.org/arts/jewish-humor.html
David Talks with Larry David in LA Times Magazine
Click for a readable PDF of the article.
David Steinberg is now a contributing editor with the new LA Times Magazine which comes out the first Sunday of each month. His column is called “The Ear.”
