5/4/16: While I ate lunch at my desk today, I listened to Stephen Colbert’s Talks at Google interview. It was all really good, but his answer to the last question asked culminated in a story so hilarious I had to stop eating for fear of choking to death. If you have the time, give the whole interview a listen. If you don’t, here’s his answer to a question about why he chose comedy.

WARNING: Do not eat or drink during this video, especially if you’ve ever worked in comedy.

Epilogue: I just went in to use the bathroom at work and the story popped into my head. It started me uncontrollably laugh-crying all over again. I may be escorted out of the building very soon.

2024 Comment: Periodically over the years, this story has popped back into my head, and it still makes me laugh every time.