Steve Martin, the award-winning comedian and multifaceted artist, joins prolific New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik for an insightful conversation. They discuss the art of finding authenticity through imitation, exploring how personal experiences shape humor and creativity. Their banter touches on mastering comedy, the importance of failure, and the balancing act between success and meaningful friendships. Listeners will enjoy their rapid-fire insights that reveal how embracing new opportunities can lead to unexpected artistic growth.
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Steve Martin's Comedy Beginnings
Steve Martin wasn't a natural at stand-up comedy, only truly loving the craft.
He learned by trial and error, observing comedians like Wally Bogue and later Jerry Seinfeld.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
The Importance of Story in Comedy
Comedians should focus on story, as it sustains audience engagement even without constant laughs.
A strong story provides structure and allows for unexpected comedic elements to emerge.
insights INSIGHT
The Value of Not Knowing
Not knowing the direction of a screenplay can enhance audience engagement.
Unforeseen elements embedded during writing can be discovered and developed later.
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In *So Many Steves: Afternoons with Steve Martin*, Adam Gopnik presents a unique profile through a year's worth of conversations with Steve Martin. The audiobook delves into Martin's career, from his early days in magic and comedy to his success in film and literature, offering candid insights into his creative life. The conversations are complemented by clips from Martin's stand-up routines, films, and original banjo music.
The Real Work
On the Mystery of Mastery
Adam Gopnik
In 'The Real Work', Adam Gopnik delves into the mystery of mastery by apprenticing himself to masters in fields like magic, drawing, boxing, and dance. He reveals that mastery is not rare but ubiquitous, often involving the intentional imperfection that adds expressiveness to skills. Gopnik's journey highlights the common qualities and methods shared by top performers across different disciplines.
Steve Martin has made an award-winning career out of taking on new identities–from actor and comedian to musician and novelist. Over the years, he’s learned that the best way to find yourself is by imitating your role models. He explores how to do that in a new audiobook, So Many Steves, with his longtime friend Adam Gopnik, the New Yorker writer and author. Steve and Adam join Adam Grant for a riveting discussion about impersonation and authenticity, humor and writing, success and happiness, and valuing the friends you make along the way. Transcripts for ReThinking are available at go.ted.com/RWAGscripts.
For 15% off So Many Steves, use the code ADAMGRANT at pushkin.fm.
Worklife with Adam Grant 
