Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade

Louis CK Is The Greatest Standup

13 snips
Nov 6, 2025
Louis C.K., a renowned stand-up comedian, writer, and author, joins the hosts for a lively discussion. He shares insights about his debut novel, Ingram, highlighting his influences from literary giants like Harper Lee. The conversation dives into his comedic roots, recounting experiences from The Dana Carvey Show and invaluable lessons learned opening for Jerry Seinfeld. Louis also tackles the challenges of direct ticketing and explores the dynamics of stand-up performance. Expect candid stories and sharp humor!
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ANECDOTE

Writing By Letting The Character Lead

  • Louis C.K. wrote his debut novel Ingram by following a boy's voice he cared about and wrote daily without a plot.
  • He treated the story like tending to a child, reporting honest feelings and letting the narrative reveal itself.
ANECDOTE

Carvey’s Office Validation Moment

  • Dana Carvey watched Louis's Letterman set in his office and told him that with that performance he'd have been a superstar decades earlier.
  • That validation from Carvey became an important formative moment for Louis.
INSIGHT

Silence Can Be The Strongest Moment

  • A moment's awkward silence can be more interesting than the punchline that follows.
  • Monitoring how a room shifts during pauses uncovers new comedic opportunities.
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