Demetri Martin, 31, is at the forefront of a new breed of young comics who get laughs with acerbic, relaxed observational humor. He's been called the "voice of Generation Y" and his writing and stand-up work have started to earn him critical praise -- and several significant paydays.
NPR's Jesse Baker spoke to the New York-based comic about his work as a writer for NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien and his numerous side projects.
A graduate of Yale, Martin dropped out of law school six years ago to take up comedy full time. Armed with only his acoustic guitar and a "to do" list of material, he began to test out his jokes on New York City club audiences.
Martin now spends 60 hours a week writing for O'Brien and he's midway through a screenplay for comedy film guru Ivan Reitman of Animal House fame.
The comic is also working on a one-man show for this year's Edinburgh Fringe festival in Scotland. Last year he won the festival's prestigious Perrier Comedy Writing Award.
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