“Nobody Knows Anything”: Confessions of a TV Exec – David Kissinger

David Kissinger grew up swimming in Nixon's pool, getting bad-mouthed by classmates over his dad's Nobel Prize, and hanging out with people history books call monsters — and he calls uncles. Jay sits down with David Kissinger — son of Henry Kissinger, TV exec behind The Office, Battlestar Galactica, and Netflix's The Beast in Me — for a conversation that swings from Watergate to Ted Danson's phone number to the time Paul McCartney pulled out a harmonica just for him. David tells the story of the president calling his childhood neighbors "sons of bitches" (in front of a 10-year-old), explains how he squandered millions of dollars developing shows before finally getting one right, and gets brutally honest about the show he still thinks was robbed of its shot. Plus: why AI can't write a joke to save its life, what Barry Diller taught him about being a good editor, and how a 6:20am hiking group became his weekly dose of joy. It's part Hollywood war stories, part front-row seat to American political history, and part two old friends just riffing. Also: listener mail about firing a friend without losing her, and a hard stance on marzipan. Bio: David Kissinger has spent decades helping decide what America watches on TV — and he's the son of one of the most consequential (and controversial) diplomats in modern history, so he's had a front-row seat to two very different kinds of power. Professionally, Kissinger cut his teeth as a journalist, writing for outlets including Rolling Stone and Esquire, before crossing over into the entertainment industry. He rose through television development at Disney's Touchstone Television, where he helped oversee hits like Home Improvement and Boy Meets World, then went on to run NBC Universal Television Studio, where his fingerprints are on shows including The Office, House, Monk, and Battlestar Galactica. Since 2005, he's served as President of Conaco, Conan O'Brien's production company — proof that after years of corporate TV, he still knows how to have fun. His father was Henry Kissinger, the former U.S. Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Growing up with that surname meant David spent his childhood somewhere between political history and normal life, which may explain why he's spent his adult life gravitating toward comedy. Kissinger is married to Alexandra Kissinger, who worked directly with Jim Henson and has helped carry forward the Henson legacy. Outside of work, he's an avid music fan and enjoys hiking and not answering Jay’s texts. Subscribe to Don't Be Alone with Jay Kogen for more conversations with writers, comedians, actors, creators, and thought leaders exploring life, creativity, politics, and the human experience. Website: https://www.dontbealonewjk.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dontbealonewithjaykogen/https://www.instagram.com/jaykogen/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dont.be.alone.wit Substack: https://substack.com/@jaykogen Merch: https://shop.app/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices