Hi, I’m Beth.

STAND OUT: AN LGBTQ+ CELEBRATION (2022) - Netflix - Head Writer

SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS (2022) TBS - writer

YOU BET YOUR LIFE WITH JAY LENO (2021) FOX - writer

28th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS (2021) TBS - writer

TINY TALK SHOW (2020) Quibi - writer

92nd ACADEMY AWARDS (2020) ABC - writer

27th ANNUAL SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS (2020) TBS - writer

ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS & SCIENCES GOVERNORS’ AWARDS (2019) - writer

LOS ANGELES LGBT CENTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW (2019) - writer

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS (2019) MTV - writer

LAUGH IN: THE STARS CELEBRATE (2019) Netflix - writer

91st ACADEMY AWARDS (2019) ABC - writer

COUNTRY MUSIC TELEVISION AWARDS (2019) CMT - co-producer

STAND UP AND AWAY WITH BRIAN REGAN (2018) Netflix - writer

THE TALK (2017-2018) CBS - writer/producer

ANIMAL NATION WITH ANTHONY ANDERSON (2017) Animal Planet - producer

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS (2016) ABC - writer, special material

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER (2016) - contributing writer

YOU CAN DO BETTER (2016) TruTV - producer

FIRST IMPRESSIONS WITH DANA CARVEY (2016) USA - producer

iHEART RADIO MUSIC AWARDS (2015) - writer

THE QUEEN LATIFAH SHOW (2013-2015) syndicated - writer/ segment director

ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW (2009-2012) syndicated - writer/ producer

TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO (2004-2009) NBC - writer/ segment director

THE ROSIE PEREZ SHOW pilot (2001) HBO - writer

LATE SHOW W/ DAVID LETTERMAN (1999-2000) CBS - writer

THE ROSIE O'DONNELL SHOW (1996-1997) syndicated - writer

POLITICALLY INCORRECT (1996) (ABC) ABC - writers’ assistant

AWARDS

DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS (7 wins) - Ellen Degeneres Show (6) + The Talk (1)

PRIMETIME EMMY AWARD NOMINATION - Late Show With David Letterman

WRITERS GUILD AWARD NOMINATION - Late Show With David Letterman

WRITERS GUILD AWARD NOMINATION - Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration

Your speech will sound like you. My job is to ask the right questions and coax the best stories out of you — and then to craft that raw material into a well-structured speech (which means a clear beginning, middle and end,) add transitions and connective tissue, and of course, dial up the organic humor wherever possible.

Sure. If you're not comfortable speaking in public, or you want comedy-specific coaching, book a Live Punch-Up Session, and I'll help you fine-tune your speech and your performance.

But remember, wedding or funeral, this is the warmest, most supportive audience you’ll ever have. They have as much love in their hearts for the subject of your speech as you do, and they want to hear what you have to say about them. They aren’t expecting you to be a stand-up comedian, they just want to hear you be you. They’re rooting for your success. Ok, maybe not your annoying cousin (you know the one,) but everyone else is.

When other kids were listening to music (and y’know, socializing,) I was up in my room memorizing comedy albums; George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin, Moms Mabley, Tom Lehrer, Lenny Bruce.  Mom loved Gilbert & Sullivan and Stephen Sondheim. Dad adored Mel Brooks.  My brain was wired to find the funny.

Once I realized being funny was a marketable skill, it was the only thing I wanted to do with my life. I moved to LA and worked my way up, show by show; from production assistant to writers’ assistant, and ultimately, to writer.

25+ years later, I have a bunch of Emmys and years of experience writing for Leno, Letterman and Ellen, as well award shows including MTV’s Video Music Awards, the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards, and the Oscars, where I’ve written for everyone from Queen Latifah to Tom Hanks.

Yep. I spent more than a decade doing stand-up, performing at clubs, colleges and military bases all over the world, including Kuwait and Iraq. I know what an audience wants – and needs – to hear. 

I’m also a keynote and conference speaker on how to use humor as a tool for connection, resilience and leadership. Want to book me for your group’s virtual or in-person event? Visit bethsherman.com.

I do indeed. Take a look at my work history (above) and decide if you think I’ve got the skills to make yours the best speech of the night.