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Tina Fey chats with Eric Schmidt (itworld.com)
104 points by abennett on April 27, 2011 | hide | past | favorite | 18 comments


I like the mention of the improvisation concept of "yes and" as being a huge influence on her professionally. She describes how this can take good ideas from two people and create something newer and better.

Some of the best collaborators I have had were of the "yes and" attitude while the worst were of the "no but" or "no because" variety.


Fascinating. Somehow, I wouldn't have really expected it, but the sheer difference between someone like Eric Schmidt and someone like Tina Fey really made this interesting.

So I ask you: are there any other such Google talks/chats like this worth watching? I believe there was one from a while ago with Obama, but I haven't really heard of any others.


There are over 1000 videos like this in various forms: http://www.youtube.com/atgoogletalks

A lot of them are authors, but there are a bunch of other celebrities, musicians, politicians, and a ton of others. I'd recommend clicking on "Uploads" and then select "Top Rated."


I think this interview does a good job of showing just how easy people like Letterman and O'Brien make interviewing look.


at least they didn't have the same guy that interviewed Conan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TwqpWiY5s


That would be Vic Gundotra. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Gundotra


It's funny, people lather praise for Vic when he is presenting Android and what not, but he was really out of his depth with Conan.


Indeed. Viewers beware of the cringe-factor.


Indeed, Schmidt was almost painful. Fey is such a pro you couldn't even tell what she was thinking.


Really interesting interview.

Tina Fey was very good; engaging, interesting, funny. Eric Schmidt probably shouldn't give up his day job to become a presenter.

The Google mentions and plugs seemed a bit nauseating. E.g. the fact baby names can be found via Google doesn't really need advertising.


The Google mentions didn't bother me at all. They happened organically during discussion, and it's natural for Google to be on both of their minds seeing as how they are at Google, he is the ex-CEO of Google, and they are in front of Google employees. Considering all of that, and how pervasive Google is in technology and culture, it would be odd if Google did not come up.


I was there. The Google stuff played well to the crowd, I think. It doesn't come across in the video.


Tina Fey is a professional entertainer...


In fairness, I thought he did a pretty good job. Better than I would have expected for a CEO :D and some of the audience questions were pretty good too.

I suspect he won't be going after Jimmy Fallon's job in 2020, though.


Yes I thought he was pretty good too. If you want a train wreck for a Google talk, look at Conan O'Brien's interview there -- the interviewer was cringe-worthy.


>The Google mentions and plugs seemed a bit nauseating

Not at all, he wasn't even using a Android tablet as a card deck replacement.


They laugh so hard every time Schmidt makes any sort of joke. Bunch of zombies when it came to the Apple stuff.


She has another fantasy unavailable BF? And this isn't 30 rock?




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