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Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

azizansari.com

11–20 of 144 posts

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#11

Normally, I'm a huge Aziz detractor but I think this has a shot at being more successful than Louis CK's special. I think Aziz is more popular with children of the Internet.

Why are you a huge Aziz detractor? First time I heard of this Aziz guy. Watched the preview, enjoyed it.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#12
post #2

I know Louis CK was successful in this model, but at the time I expressed hesitation about others following his lead. He made a good amount of money, but given Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today, it didn't seem like ENOUGH money to justify the entire business model (assuming no one else would make as much doing the same). But now Aziz Ansari is doing it. Jim Gaffigan has announced plans to d…

Aziz isn't as big a name as Louis CK, but he's still a decent draw and has what I imagine would be a fairly dedicated fanbase. Assuming his special didn't cost too much to produce, I can see this method's working out pretty well for him.

One doesn't need to make Louis CK's total ROI to claim success here. Even if Aziz pockets a few hundred grand in net profit, that's nothing to sneeze at.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#13
post #2

I know Louis CK was successful in this model, but at the time I expressed hesitation about others following his lead. He made a good amount of money, but given Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today, it didn't seem like ENOUGH money to justify the entire business model (assuming no one else would make as much doing the same). But now Aziz Ansari is doing it. Jim Gaffigan has announced plans to d…

I liked Louis CK from before his $5 special. When he released it, I read all about what the deal was, bought it, and thought it was at least five bucks worth of funny.

I also like Aziz Ansari, so when I saw this, I skipped the reading part-- I skimmed the copy on my way through the checkout process to make sure everything was cool (it was) and paid my money.

I'll keep doing that as long as artists I like keep releasing stuff like this.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#14
post #2

I know Louis CK was successful in this model, but at the time I expressed hesitation about others following his lead. He made a good amount of money, but given Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today, it didn't seem like ENOUGH money to justify the entire business model (assuming no one else would make as much doing the same). But now Aziz Ansari is doing it. Jim Gaffigan has announced plans to d…

There are many webcomic artists who make a tidy profit on the same model (look at Rich Burlew's recent kickstarter.) If a niche artist can make that much, I'm sure mainstream artists can make at least that much.

And the value of getting the money directly with no middlemen is substantial.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#16
post #7

It's interesting that all this has come from comedians. Perhaps not surprising, given that TV shows are owned by networks, and bands are largely indebted to record labels- I never thought about it before, but a comedian is far more of a "free agent" than anyone else- for instance, Aziz is one of the main stars in a hit NBC comedy (well, as much of a hit as NBC gets these days), but he's free to do stuff like this as…

Recording artists do solo projects all the time.

Stand up doesn't require much in the way of production value.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#17
post #2

I know Louis CK was successful in this model, but at the time I expressed hesitation about others following his lead. He made a good amount of money, but given Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today, it didn't seem like ENOUGH money to justify the entire business model (assuming no one else would make as much doing the same). But now Aziz Ansari is doing it. Jim Gaffigan has announced plans to d…

I highly doubt that Louis CK is the most popular working comedian. He seems really underrated, in my experience.

Either way, I bought that show and loved it, probably will get this too.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#18
post #7

It's interesting that all this has come from comedians. Perhaps not surprising, given that TV shows are owned by networks, and bands are largely indebted to record labels- I never thought about it before, but a comedian is far more of a "free agent" than anyone else- for instance, Aziz is one of the main stars in a hit NBC comedy (well, as much of a hit as NBC gets these days), but he's free to do stuff like this as…

It has begun quite a while ago with podcasts. Adam Carolla runs a whole podcast production shop in addition to his own hugely popular show and even some spin-offs, then there's the Nerdist (same thing), Joe Rogan has a popular show, Doug Benson, Bill Burr and many others.

Comedians just seem more... entrepreneurial. It would be interesting whether it's because there's less structure (existing or required) in the comedy world, or because comedy attracts more independent performers.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#19
post #7

It's interesting that all this has come from comedians. Perhaps not surprising, given that TV shows are owned by networks, and bands are largely indebted to record labels- I never thought about it before, but a comedian is far more of a "free agent" than anyone else- for instance, Aziz is one of the main stars in a hit NBC comedy (well, as much of a hit as NBC gets these days), but he's free to do stuff like this as…

It has begun quite a while ago with podcasts. Adam Carolla runs a whole podcast production shop in addition to his own hugely popular show and even some spin-offs, then there's the Nerdist (same thing), Joe Rogan has a popular show, Doug Benson, Bill Burr and many others. Comedians just seem more... entrepreneurial. It would be interesting whether it's because there's less structure (existing or required) in the come…

There's probably a lot to be said for comedians generally acting alone or in pairs. Even when you get a group of four together you're considerably less flexible.

Re: Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

#20
post #16
post #7

It's interesting that all this has come from comedians. Perhaps not surprising, given that TV shows are owned by networks, and bands are largely indebted to record labels- I never thought about it before, but a comedian is far more of a "free agent" than anyone else- for instance, Aziz is one of the main stars in a hit NBC comedy (well, as much of a hit as NBC gets these days), but he's free to do stuff like this as…

Recording artists do solo projects all the time. Stand up doesn't require much in the way of production value.

I wonder if magicians could do the same. Seems like they could.

The live performers with a rep can cover a lot of production cost by selling tickets, then the video income can be mostly gravy.

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