C O M E D Y & S T A N D U P R A D A R
THE STAND-UP COMEDY BOOM: HOW NETFLIX AND STREAMING TRANSFORMED THE INDUSTRY
Photo: Netflix I Katt Williams on stage at his "Dark Matter" Tour
By Joshua Lowry
August 20, 2024 6:52AM PDT
Stand-up comedy in the U.S. has gone from a niche gig to a booming industry that’s now pulling in rock star-level audiences. Today, 17,000 people pack into the Hollywood Bowl for a comedy show - a scene that would’ve been unheard of just a decade ago - comedy is big business, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
In 2012, ticket sales for live comedy stood at $371.4 million, but by 2023, that number had skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping $909.6 million. Netflix has been a game-changer in this surge, turning what was once an intimate art form into a global sensation.
Before Netflix started throwing its weight around, stand-up was mostly confined to small clubs or the occasional HBO special featuring the likes of Chris Rock or George Carlin. But Netflix saw untapped potential and started funding comedy specials in 2013.
Netflix has not just been a launching pad for established names but also a spotlight for fresh talent. Taylor Tomlinson is a prime example. Faced with a choice between a Netflix 15-minute set and a 30-minute Comedy Central special, she went with Netflix, and it was the best decision she could’ve made. That move led to her hour-long special, *Quarter-Life Crisis,* which in turn catapulted her to headline status and even international fame.
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With the rise of specials, comedians now have to churn out new material at a much faster pace to keep up with the demand for specials - and with live performances becoming a primary source of revenue. Despite Netflix scaling back a bit on the sheer volume of specials since its peak in 2018, the streaming giant remains the go-to platform for comics looking to make it big. And with competitors like Amazon entering the ring, it’s an exciting time for the industry, giving comedians more opportunities to cash in and audiences more laughs than ever.
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So, if you’re itching for some live comedy, you’re in luck. Comedy heavyweights like Jerry Seinfeld, Nikki Glaser with her ‘The Good Girl Tour,’ David Spade’s ‘Catch Me Inside Tour,’ Matt Rife’s ‘ProbleMATTic Tour,’ and Sebastian Maniscalco’s ‘It Ain’t Right Tour’ are all currently on the road.
"JACKPOT" PREMIERES THIS WEEK: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AWKWAFINA AND JOHN CENA'S LATEST FILM
The duo stars in the Paul Feig directed comedy.
By KeKe Johnson I
August 16, 2024 8:03AM PDT
Photo: Amazon MGM
Get ready for a thrilling blend of comedy and action as "Jackpot," starring Awkwafina and John Cena, premieres this week. Directed by Paul Feig, known for his work on hits like "Bridesmaids" and "Spy," this highly anticipated film promises to deliver a hilariously violent and entertaining experience.
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In "Jackpot," Awkwafina and John Cena team up in an unexpected pairing that’s bound to make waves. Awkwafina, celebrated for her comedic timing in films like "Crazy Rich Asians", "Ocean's 8" and "The Farewell," plays a character with a knack for getting into and out of trouble, while Cena, the charismatic former WWE star turned actor, brings his signature blend of humor and physicality to his role.
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The plot revolves around Katie Kim (Awkwafina), an aspiring actress, who accidentally ends up with the winning ticket for California’s Grand Lottery in 2030 - with a deadly twist where anyone holding a losing ticket can legally claim her multi-billion-dollar prize if they manage to kill her before sundown. The film’s combination of humor, and high-energy action, coupled with Paul Feig’s signature directorial style, is set to make "Jackpot" an entertaining watch. Whether you're a fan of the leads or just looking for a fun escape, this movie is shaping up to be a wild ride you won't want to miss.
Watch "Jackpot" on Prime Video now.​​​