It was 9 p.m. on election night 2000. The Daily Show, which I co-created and was running as executive producer, was in the middle of two hours of live coverage. Though we did not know it at the time, American politics, and our place in it, was about to change forever. It would end up being a bad night for democracy, but a pretty good one for our little cable comedy show.

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For decades, Madeleine Smithberg helped shape the world of late-night comedy from behind the scenes. A three-time Peabody and Emmy Award-winning producer, she was instrumental in creating some of television's most influential late-night comedy programs. From producing outrageous segments for Late Night with David Letterman to helping develop and build the original Daily Show, in Finding the Funny she shares the triumphs, disasters, and unexpected lessons behind some of television's most memorable moments.

Warm, candid, and laugh-out-loud funny, Finding the Funny is both a backstage pass to the evolution of modern comedy and the story of a trailblazing woman who built a remarkable career in a field notably dominated by men. Part memoir, part comedy history, and part master class in creative risk-taking, it is an entertaining and inspiring look at what it really takes to find the funny.

A born storyteller, Madeleine brings her adventures to life by blending scenes of hilarity with heartfelt insights into the often-relentless world of daily topical television production, which can be especially challenging for women and almost impossible for working mothers. In addition to comedy, her beloved son, Harry, and her supportive husband, Sam, Mad has a passion for food, and the book includes several recipes.