First published 2017
David Letterman transformed television comedy over three decades, yet remains widely misunderstood despite his fame. New York Times comedy critic Jason Zinoman chronicles Letterman's journey from his Indiana origins through his retirement, examining how an ironic comic style redefined the modern talk show format. Zinoman gained unprecedented access to explore Letterman's artistic evolution across three distinct creative periods. He analyzes signature segments like "Stupid Pet Tricks" that made Late Night with David Letterman a cultural phenomenon. The biography reveals Letterman's relationships with his writers, particularly co-creator Merrill Markoe, who shared both professional and personal ties with the host. Zinoman demonstrates how Letterman's caustic meta-humor influenced an entire generation of comedians and established comedy tropes that persist today. This examination of the remote, reclusive entertainer explains his outsized impact on popular culture and his role as the comedic voice of a generation.
Genres: biography, american, comedy, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: biography, career-retrospective, cultural-influence
Setting: Indiana, New York
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
368 pages · Hardcover · Harper