DELRAY BEACH – Not too long it felt like every comedian, regardless of merit, had their own podcast.
And so few of them were worth listening to. Simply put, cringeworthy, unfunny takes aren’t entertaining.
Many of those podcasts from South Florida comedians have since run their course, generally benefiting everyone involved.
Still, most comedians believe they should be hosting their own podcast. In today’s Stand-Up Spotlight lead story, comedian Robin Tran explains why that’s a false belief.
Tran argues that podcasts are bad for comedy. Too many so-called stand-up comedians nowadays have career goals of creating a successful podcast so that they don’t every have to leave their living rooms. That removes the live performance aspect from stand-up. She also believes the money-grab approach renders comedians too conservative, fearful about offending potential sponsors.
Tran’s take is worth considering.
Today’s Spotlight also includes a story about how stand-up comedy is benefiting from the national writer’s strike, a feature about Atsuko Okatsuka, and a review of John Early’s stand-up special.
Time to get Hump Day funny.
STAND-UP SPOTLIGHT – July 5, 2023
Podcasts are bad for stand-up
As much as I used to love podcasts, I think the over-saturation of comedian’s podcasts in the past few years has been bad for stand-up comedy as an artform. I’m not talking about all, or even most comedians, merely a group of some of the top names who are mostly famous from their podcasts rather than their actual stand-up.
Technology has got to a point where anybody can easily broadcast their thoughts and put them on the internet. In fact, during the height of the pandemic, Amazon actually sold out of podcast equipment. Those were the two things that ran out during Covid: podcast equipment and toilet paper.
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Striking Writers Return to Comedy Club Roots: “Super Weird to Have Stand-Up as Your Safety Net”
As the WGA nears the third month of the writers strike, one section of entertainment remains thriving amid the work stoppage: stand-up comedy.
Since stand-up — assuming it’s not being recorded for a special or other studio content — is not connected to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, it’s not restricted by the strike’s guild rules, and therefore has seen a surge of writers turning to the stage to either make money or scratch a creative itch. Regulars (and WGA members) like Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Brett Goldstein, Fred Armisen and Sarah Silverman have all been doing gigs during the strike, as well as stars who less frequently do live shows like Quinta Brunson, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and Ted Lasso‘s Phil Dunster. Many late night TV writers also decided to pursue stand-up after their shows went dark starting May 2.
Chatting With Standup’s Star-of-The-Moment, Atsuko Okatsuka.
Whether it is breaking the Internet with her viral #Dropchallenge on TikTok, making the Top Ten list for best standup specials of 2022, or just strutting around in one of her trademark brightly-colored pantsuits and signature bowl cut, Atsuko Okatsuka is truly living her best life. We sat down with Atsuko to discuss life as a professional comedian, feeling comfortable in your own skin, and of course, Spider-Man.
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John Early Brings a Deliriously Over-the-Top Sensibility to Stand-Up
John Early’s boundary-blurring new Max special, “Now More Than Ever,” has the perfect title. The hyperbole, salesmanship and euphony of the expression match his literate satirical persona. And it also hints at the main asset and flaw of his hour: the too-muchness of it all.
