Comedy Fever
In a world starving for some sense of normalcy, a bunch of overgrown children have become the unlikely heroes of our time. In this divisive and politicized environment we live in, comedy is exciting because it’s risky and comedians are the new rock stars and rebels of the world. I don’t know about you, but personally I can’t think of a better cure for this anxiety filled reality than a good laugh.
The rise of a new technological revolution has transformed our lives in every way possible and left us with a flux of endless content to stream from. A wave of unparalleled creative freedom that gave birth to a new wave of comedy. Stand up was never cooler, tickets sell out in record numbers and streaming platforms are stacked with stand up specials, some from comics even comedy rats never heard of.
A golden age, a renaissance, or whatever superlative you like to use, comedy is booming like never before.
The Death of the Gatekeeper.
LIfting the bandwidth shackles freed content makers and removed all the barriers from their audience. A new format was born and the all encompassing term, Podcast, was coined for a microphone and Wi-Fi connection to carry your voice across the ether. With over a million Podcasts to choose from, it seems like any geek of the street, armed with a tripod camera and carisma, can build a following and plenty did.
Entertainers are no longer dependent on some executive in a suit to become the masters of their own alternative universe, created in their image. Stand-up comedians don’t need to be “chosen” and wait for some sitcom gig or talk show appearance to catch a break. The script has flipped and now, it’s those shows who feel outdated and struggle to compete with the New Kids on the Block.
As a child of the 90s, who grew up watching all the sitcoms and late night shows, I find today’s network comedy television unwatchable. This new brand of safe, geriatric, coffee-table entertainment pales in comparison to the unhinged experience you get online, when the children are left to their own devices, without adult supervision. The medium is the message, as the saying goes, and this novel, unmediated and raw medium fits like hand in glove into this wild man, personality driven, comedy scene.
Success has many fathers.
As much as we love a good overnight success story, this bang has been brewing under the surface and in the depths of the internet for over a decade. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact origins of this movement, but a couple usual suspects seem to stand out whenever the argument pops up. These 2 podcasts would be a great place to start your journey and weave your way through this thick comedy jungle.
The Podfather.
This whole revolution started from a disgruntled comedian’s garage. Marc Maron reached a dead end in his comedy road, when he decided to throw one last hail mary and pour his soul and frustrations into a lonely microphone. Sure, it sounds romantic in hindsight but make no mistakes, this was a total desperado move from a washed up comic. Maybe there lies the rub, he just had nothing to lose and no fucks to give.
The result was so authentic and mesmerising, often too vulnerable for comfort, manic at times, hilarious at others but always cathartic. His highly personal and intimate, conversation-like, approach for interviews, among them with friends and colleagues he had complicated relationships with, captured some of the most insightful, heartfelt and laugh out loud conversations ever recorded.
He was just a funny man with something to say and an ex to grind, who never imagined how far his cry would reach. So far, president Barack Obama had to take a break from running the country and step into his famous garage for an hour long conversation. His Podcast might not be trending as it used to and his insistence on audio only feels a bit out of touch, but his face will forever remain on Mount Rushmore of comedy podcasts.
The OG.
It’s not exactly clear how a silly comedian, ex fear factor host, cage fighting commentator and ultimate meathead, has turned into such a cultural phenomena (and subject of a couple controversies lately). With guests like Elon Musk, Bernie Sanders, and all the biggest names lined up, his podcast has long surpassed the roams of comedy. What started out as a guerilla production, goofing around with friends, getting high, talking shit and obsessing about psychedelics has somehow catapulted into one of the biggest shows in the world
Inspired by some of his favourite radio shock jocks, like Howard Stern and Opie & Anthonie, he managed to translate that loose, no holds bar attitude into the digital world. Using his epic work ethics and genuine love for the medium, he turned himself into a great interviewer and content powerhouse. Flying under the radar for many years, he cultivated a huge following until he exploded into the front stage and reached the pinnacle of success with his eye-popping, hundred million dollar, deal with Spotify.
Credited as the main force behind the revival of the mythological Comedy Store, he’s the modern day Johnny Carson and comedy tastemaker. An invite to his show has become the jump start of many comedians and the rite of passage into the big league. Admittingly, not among my favorite comedians but his podcast is the biggest hub for comedians, the setting for many comedy hallmark moments and the perfect gateway drug into the scene.
Where Infantile is King - Welcome to My World.
With the help of super algorithms, curating tailored content for your specific taste, it’s easy to get lost in your own, costume made, digital reality. A quick look into my YouTube feed will give you the full story, what’s my latest obsession and which rabbit hole am I currently spiralling into. This following recommendations are in no way a presumptuous attempt to rate the best Com-Pod’s out there, rather a personal reflection and open invitation into my world.
If you’re looking for serious discussions, political insights and hot takes on all the burning issues, then you’ve come to the wrong place. But if toilet humor, dark comedy, the absurdity of life and ridiculousness of human behaviour is your jam, you’ll feel right at home. Tom Segura and Christina P are the Apex Stand-Up comidians and married power couple behind “Your Mom’s House” podcast studios.
“Its just a stupid name for a stupid Podcast”, is the offical reasoning behind the name and the unpretentious vibe you get from thier show. They Started back in 2011, as two broke comics, and their intimate familiarity helped shape a private world, filled with self deprecating humor, countless running jokes, insider references and a language of their own. Community is today’s buzzword and it’s hard to imagine a more loyal and engaged following to feed the narrative, contribute to the never ending content circle and help turn nonses into comedy gold.
Aside from funny spousal rants and comedic takes on every day matters, they embark on an hysterical ride through the Internet’s wildlife and the show is a celebration and love letter for the freaks of the world. Just be warned, you’ll no longer be able to hear banile expressions like “try it out”, “don’t be stingy” or “cool guy”, without struggling to explain the silly giggle or awkward smile on your face.
A human tsunami, a living wrecking ball and Tasmanian devil, are just a few of the images that come to mind when trying to capture Bobby Lee’s essence. Another classic tale of a comedian who reached the end of his rope, found refuge in podcasting and rose from the ashes of comedy. He started “Tiger Belly” with a small, family-like crew, alongside his Co-host and girlfriend, or adult caretaker as he likes to call her. With a little help from his close friends and comedians, who regularly pop in, he built his own little kingdom with his cult of personality and cult-like fan base (the fun kind, you know, without all the misery or mass suicides).
Like so many of the finer things in life, Bobby is definitely what you call an “acquired taste” and a man child who wears his heart on his sleeve. Unfiltered, inappropriate and unpredictable yet intrinsically funny in everything he does. He turns everything into comedy and even when telling stories of childhood tramua and sexual abuse, he gets everyone to howl while feeling guilty for laughing. And that’s where his comedy lies, between the uncomfortable and hilarious, as he waltzes that fine line with all the elegance of a bull in a china shop.
It’s this kind of openness, that reality shows can only spire too, which offers that intense experience you get from renting space in his world. It’s a good example of how real this medium can be, resembling the intimate familiarity you have with a close friend. The one you like to hang out to hear all about his wild stories and latest shenanigans. Whether he’s laughing and thriving, or dealing with loss and relapsing in the midst of a real life crisis, it’s all out in the open for you to join the ride.
The Golden Days
This alternate reality, that seems to have sprang out of nowhere, feels almost too good to be true. A world where all your favorite comedians, each with his own personality and flavour, are close friends and part of a tight community that collaborates together, to deliver long form entertainment on a weekly basis. No subscription fee and better comedy, laugh for laugh, than anything you pay for on Netflix.
But for better or worse, the internet isn’t as free or wild as it used to be. With mounting restrictions, in this explosive climate, it remains to be seen how long this comedy hayday will last. Content paywalls are trending more than ever and this party might not last forever, so we better enjoy it while it lasts.
