David Letterman’s long-time comic booker let go after sexist comments in profile

Since 2001 Eddie Brill’s job has been to book the stand-up comics for CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman. However, he has now been let go after making a controversial comment about why he books more male comics than female comics in a New York Times profile that was published last week.

In the New York Times profile, Brill was asked to explain why the comics he chooses have a certain profile. He told the paper that he likes “middle-aged white men from the Midwest.” The Times noted that there was only one female comic booked in 2011. “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,” he said.

The New York Times and The Wrap both reported that CBS fired Brill for the comment Tuesday. CBS has not commented, but a source close to the show told the Times.

Brill posted his own response to an editorial on MirthMag that criticized his comment, writing, “The bottom line is that I know what kind of person I am…and how I respect women comics and all comics.” He added later, “That was unfair. It is time for me to accept the consequences of my printed words..and to learn from this. I apologize to all who have been affected by this.”

MirthMag was later told by another source that Brill will stay on temporarily as the warm-up comedian for Letterman, which the source adds was the only part of his job he received payment for.

Brill had an unusual amount of power at the Late Show, notes the Times. For example, Conan’s booker, J.P. Buck, works with several other bookers to find the right comics, who are not approved until host Conan O’Brien gives the go ahead. ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! has the help of a whole squad of bookers who search the country for comics and interesting acts. Brill also taught classes at the Great American Comedy Festival and critics believed that he gave preference to his students.