Eric Leiderman (‘99 BA, Communication Studies) accepted the CLAS Alumni Fellow award from the University of Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on Tuesday, Oct. 14, before offering students a rare and candid look into the unpredictable world of television careers. As a producer of Late Night with Seth Meyers, Leiderman described how his role intersects with writers, advertisers, and social media, and how adaptability has been key to his success—from crashing on his sister’s couch, to landing his first job as a production assistant on The Daily Show, to staying true to the passions that shaped his creative instincts to this day.
Leiderman’s love of music, for example, evolved into unexpected professional opportunities. His interest in drumming led to him touring with the heavy metal band Pearl and other well-known rock acts. Following that, Leiderman managed the Seth Meyers house band for ten years, and even filled in as their on-camera drummer when the band’s lead was unavailable.
These experiences reflect his broader message to students: “Diversify! Learn how to shoot, how to edit. Know what a budget is. You have to do something else besides going to class and drinking beer—you don’t know how much free time you currently have.”
Throughout his talk, Leiderman emphasized that there is no set path in entertainment. “If you are so bold and so daring to come to the world of television,” he said, “there are no rules and there is no structure.”
Students also received practical advice on how to stand out in a competitive industry, by being encouraged to pursue their hobbies and to be proactive in creating their own work. Leiderman urged them to be thoughtful (“Don’t be thirsty!”), and to communicate with intention. He also stressed the importance of reliability and anticipating needs, sharing stories that illustrated how problem-solving and initiative can make someone indispensable.
His time as an undergraduate at Iowa, where he studied communication studies, worked at record stores, deejayed for KRUI, and played in local bands, clearly laid the foundation for his multifaceted career. In a time of industry uncertainty, Leiderman’s message was empowering: use your time wisely, create your own value, and be ready to pivot.
