Lewis Black: Q&A

You’re The Daily Show’s longest running segment. What was your take on Jon Stewart’s exit?

I think it’s really good for Jon. He wasn’t going to grow by staying there. It’s time for him to go where he can expand.

You’re sticking around though, right?

Yeah, I’ll be there. I got nowhere to go!

Could you ever see yourself hosting the show?

Nah. Maybe I would have 15 years ago, but not now.

How did you first get into comedy?

I always had an interest in it, but I really wanted to be a playwright. I was broke until I was 40, and at that time, people really started picking up on my comedy. It became the way I was going to make a living. I wasn’t looking for it, in a sense, but I’d always done stand-up because I could write something and get it out there right away. That’s tough as a playwright.

Who was the last person who made you laugh?

That would be Kathleen Madigan. She’s one of the funniest people I know.

Your comedy is generally based on the news. What’s your daily digest?

I wake up, turn on the TV, and watch CNN for about 15 minutes until they start repeating themselves. Then I move on to read some of The New York Times. I also read The Week. And I constantly get stuff from friends online. I don’t really go to Gawker and The Daily Beast—I don’t wander through the web. But if something catches my eye, then I’ll track it. I’ll Google the son of a bitch and search for whatever seems to be legitimate.

You have a Broadway show coming up. What’s that about?

I wish I was writing something for actors to perform. That would be easier—I wouldn’t have to be on stage. But it’s going to be a standup routine. It’ll be about the upcoming election.

Yes, presidential campaign season already seems to be in full swing. Is it tough to perform in environments like Indiana where people might be offended by your views?

Nah. I go after the Republicans. I go after the Democrats. I go after everybody.

This article appeared in the October 2015 Issue.