David Letterman Show Booker Fired for Sexist Remarks
Eddie Brill, the "David Letterman Show's" comedy booker has been fired from his current position for making sexist remarks about female comics. Brill has been a part of the show for 10 years and will still be working for Letterman as a crowd entertainer but not scouting and hiring comedy acts for the show.
Brill was profiled in The New York Times last week for his comedic career and stated, "There are a lot less female comics who are authentic. I see a lot of female comics who, to please an audience, will act like men." In 2011, only one female comedian appeared on "Letterman."
Brill got his start as a stand-up comedian and later managed the Paper Moon, a now defunct comedy club. He was hired by the "Letterman Show" in 2001 and, according to fellow comics, has taken advantage of his position. Anthony Jesselnik told the Times, "He trades on the name of the show. He has workshops, a festival. He has the market cornered. I can't believe Letterman lets him do it."
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According to Brill's website, he has been an audience warm-up "for many shows including the 'Dana Carvey Show,' 'This is Your Life' and 'Saved By the Bell.'" He is the creative director of the "Great American Comedy Festival," which honors comedic legend Johnny Carson.
Carson himself said of female comics in 1979, "The ones that try sometimes are a little aggressive for my taste. I'll take it from a guy, but from women, it just doesn't fit too well." An article published in "Vanity Fair" entitled "Why Women Aren't Funny" received a national backlash from women, including Tina Fey.
Female comics have covered a lot of ground since 1979 and are now prominently featured on TV and in movies. NBC alone has "30 Rock" with Tina Fey, "Parks and Recreation" with Amy Poehler and "Whitney" with comedian Whitney Cummings. "Bridesmaids" was one of the largest-grossing movies of 2011 and featured an all-female cast.
David Letterman has not spoken publicly about Brill's demotion.
