Why America loves late night TV, with former Letterman writer Stephen Winer

This week Burke speaks with Stephen Winer, one of the award-winning writers behind David Letterman's first show. He has used his lifelong love for writing to write a variety of shows with some of the country's favorite talents.

After 40 years in the business, he's seen the industry evolve and what those changes meant for the actors and the writers behind the scenes.

He has a great appreciation for sketch comedy, the style that made Letterman so different back in the day. One "pinch me" moment, he worked with Dick Van Dyke.

He would eventually help a generation of younger actors with The New Mickey Mouse Club.

These days he writes about classic film, to view his essays visit: https://www.criterion.com/current/author/473-stephen-winer

The Big Time Talker is sponsored by Speakermatch.com.