SIX DEGREES: ‘Colbert Report’ writer Barry Julien dishes about his Emmy experience

I love hearing different perspectives from the writers when a newspaper is lucky enough to snag an interview, especially those from the “Local Boy Does Good” angle. Here’s an excellent article featuring Barry Julien, writer for ‘The Colbert Report’.

From open-mike night to victory on Emmy night

BILL BROWNSTEIN, The Gazette
Published: Thursday, September 25

It wasn’t so long ago that Barry Julien was a struggling stand-up comic vying for attention at open-mike nights at the Comedyworks and Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest. He was also an aspiring comedy writer sending off scripts on spec to the makers of Seinfeld and The Simpsons – to little avail. Plus, he was creating video games for kids and, when time permitted while he pursued university studies, was playing drums with a local jazz combo.

Well, his work ethic, perseverance and – can’t forget – massive talent have paid off. Big time.

If you managed not to doze off during the interminable Emmy awards broadcast Sunday night, you may have noticed a familiar-looking, skinny, curly-headed fellow whooping it up on stage with a gang of other celebrants. Yup, it was Julien, Pierrefonds’s gift to culture, and his co-conspirators being presented with the Emmy for best writing on a variety, music or comedy program for the Colbert Report. Included in the group of award winners was the ever-Clark Kentish Colbert.

…

“I’m still numb,” said Julien, 36, from the set of the Colbert Report in New York. “I don’t get excited easily, but being part of an Emmy-winning team is unbelievable.I keep having to pinch myself. It’s still kind of a blur.”

The blur may have something to do with the post-Emmy revelry, Julien conceded. “My face still hurts from smiling so much, as well as all the alcohol I put in it.”

Julien reported that Jon Stewart – who is executive producer of the Colbert Report, but whose Daily Show writers were beaten out for the Emmy by the Colbert team – sent over some complimentary rugelach (traditional Jewish pastry) to show there were no hard feelings. “It tastes delicious,” Julien acknowledged, while munching on the other end of the line. “Of course, everything is delicious now.”

Full text of article

And for those of you who want to put a name with a face (and didn’t recognize him this evening as the guy who had his First Time [vote] with Michael Dukakis), here’s a recent clip featuring Barry as the Barista under Stephen’s desk.

• Episode 5154 (12/3/2009)
• VIDEO: ‘Colbert Report’ head writer Barry Julien warms up the crowd
• Six Degrees: ‘Colbert Report’ writer Barry Julien is a Canadian media darling this week
• Six Degrees: The ‘Globe and Mail’ talks with Barry Julien