Jesse Thorn interviews lead writer for Daily Show and The Colbert Report

Posted by Mark Frauenfelder, January 14, 2009 9:24 AM | permalink

Jesse Thorn, host and producer of The Sound of Young America radio show and podcast, interviews Ben Karlin, the lead writer for The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. It was fun to see what Jesse's office looks like, since he produces the show in his living room.

From the home studio of "America's Sweetheart" Jesse Thorne, meet the comedic guru Ben Karlin. In this interview for Jesse's show, The Sound of Young America, Karlin tells us how he went from making peanuts as The Onion's Chief Editor to becoming an eight-time Emmy Award winning television writer/producer. Jesse talks to "the man" about being lead writer on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report and his new endeavor as an author of a book called You Too Will Get Crushed which, if we judge by past successes is poised to be the next step to Karlin's total takeover of comic media.

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Discussion

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#1 posted by Jesse Thorn

, January 14, 2009 10:30 AM

I moved down the hall from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom, so now the show has... ITS OWN ROOM! Movin' on up.

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#2 posted by failix , January 14, 2009 10:32 AM

He seems to be an interesting guy, never really thought of the writer behind my two favorite shows before... great post!

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#3 posted by Jack

, January 14, 2009 10:36 AM

This seems like an old interview. Ben Karlin is no longer connected with The Daily Show or Colbert Report. Also, is Jesse's back okay after the meeting? No knives? Any holes on his neck? Never can be too careful.

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#4 posted by Jesse Thorn

, January 14, 2009 10:42 AM

The interview conducted in the fall, when Ben's book came out. He left TDS and CR about a year and a half or two years ago.

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#5 posted by Ian70 , January 14, 2009 11:18 AM

did they suddenly change the name of his book?

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#6 posted by Pete Cartwright , January 14, 2009 11:22 AM

Isn't it Jesse Thorpe?

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#7 posted by eap , January 14, 2009 4:35 PM

The Sound of Young America is an excellent podcast.

Jesse and Jordan Morris also produce a podcast called "Jordan, Jesse, Go!" which I think is the most hilarious comedy podcast available, at least on the Internet.

Worth checking out.

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#8 posted by Jesse Thorn

, January 15, 2009 9:00 AM

You're right, Pete. I'm pretty sure it is Jesse Thorpe.

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#9 posted by Pete Cartwright , January 15, 2009 3:45 PM

Yeah, I could have sworn.