(This article, reprinted with permission, featuring Frank Lesser, class of 1998, appeared in The Columbus Dispatch on August 27, 2006)  8/30/06

Homegrown comedy writer suited for first Emmy show

Sunday, August 27, 2006
Molly Willow
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Comedy writer Frank Lesser kept one eye on the news (in case Dick Cheney shot someone else) while he dealt with a personal problem: He couldn’t find a shirt to wear to the Emmys.

"Macy’s apparently doesn’t sell tuxedo shirts anymore," he said.

Lesser, who grew up in Pickerington and Bexley, is nominated for outstanding writing of a musical, variety or comedy program for his work on The Colbert Report. (The final "t’s" aren’t pronounced, a la francaise.)

Lesser and eight other nominated writers — plus their host and fearless leader, Stephen Colbert — will attend the 58 th annual Emmy Awards tonight in Los Angeles along with many more from the staff of the Comedy Central satire. Lesser will be accompanied by his mother. "I just said I was going," said Lois Gruhin Lesser, who lives in Bexley. His dad, Brian, gets to go, too. "He’s not my date, though, because that would be creepy," Lesser said.

The trip represents good comedic timing for Lesser, who joined the writing staff in December (nominees were announced in early July) — two months after the series premiere.

Which isn’t to say that Lesser is a satirical slacker.

A typical workday in the New York offices begins at 9:30 a.m. and typically lasts through the evening taping, ending about 8.

"You’re working a lot," he said, "but it doesn’t seem like that much work, because it’s so much fun."

A week off every five to seven weeks doesn’t hurt, either.

"It’s a great way to work, I think. I also have nothing to compare this whole thing to."

Lesser, 26, is only the thirdyoungest writer on the staff.

In the wake of his experience with the humor magazine The Brown Jug at Brown University in Providence, R.I., The Colbert Report marks his first day job in comedy.

After his graduation in 2002, he made satirical videos, some with a political bent, and garnered mentions on Good Morning America and the CBS Evening News. (Several can be viewed on his Web site, www. franklesser.com.)

The toughest part about getting into comedy writing?

"There’s no clear career path."

He earned a tryout for a staff position with a mention from a friend of a friend.

"I wrote nine pages of material for the show, and three weeks later they called me in. It was a pretty cool experience."

Then came the interview.

"Nobody told me I’d be meeting with Stephen. . . . I walked in, and it was like the two head writers and Stephen. It made it a much more difficult interview."

His mother, for one, thought he made a good fit.

"He is so perfect for this job, it’s unbelievable," she said.

His boss, Lesser insists, bears no resemblance to the buffoonish blowhard whom Colbert plays on television.

"Everyone calls him Stephen. He’s great; he’s really, really a funny guy.

"It’s a really amazing show to be on" — although, technically, Lesser has been on the show only briefly.

His mother has caught glimpses of him in audience shots, and she once recognized his voice as an angry caller in a bit.

Even if his face doesn’t grace the screen, his parents recognize his comedic voice.

"We will look at each other and say, ‘Gee, that sounds like Frank,’ " Mom said.

The Colbert Report received three other Emmy nominations besides writing: best in its category, directing and a nod for its host.

The total puts it one above comic sibling The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, which matched Colbert category for category — except in the host race.

Although he’ll take his place in the Emmy audience, in the front orchestra section, Lesser has no guarantee of being seen on the air, "unless I’m next to Stephen."

He has no way of knowing whether he’ll win, but, having finally found a tux shirt, at least he’ll be clothed.

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