Swartzwelder would watch his show

While working at The Simpsons, Conan got an unlikely chance to audition for the Letterman slot on the Burbank lot. He asked his colleagues whether he should even do it. He had no experience, and he didn't think he could do the job even if he got it.

Swartzwelder, an older writer who spoke little, took a long drag of his cigarette, exhaled, and told him he'd watch the show. It was the first time anyone endorsed the concept. Most people Conan raised it with looked at him as if to ask what he was talking about.

Swartzwelder spoke with the conviction of someone who figured nobody else might, but he would.