Aziz Ansari releases DRM-free standup special for $5

Post by nwhitehead » Tue, Mar 20, 2012, 10:08 PM UTC

vibrunazo wrote: post #48

mikecane wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should a comedian have to submit to a behemoth like writers do? To get on iPad or Kindle or Nook, you have to go through their stores and risk rejection or wind up giving them 30% (a fee I do not think is in any way justified just for hosting; they damn well can't market anything, just provide one listing out of jillions). I say more power to the comedians. Submit to no one, share with no one. I wish writers coul…

If you set your video to unlisted on youtube (only those with links can see it), then setup a paypal/google wallet account that automatically mails the link when someone pays you. Then all you'll be paying for is the paypal/google wallet fee. Wouldn't have a sexy landing page. But would also save ~ $200k (how much Loius CK said he payed for his website).

Post by jgroome » Tue, Mar 20, 2012, 10:21 PM UTC

charlieok wrote: post #106

It's interesting to compare the economics of comedy vs music. I'm much more likely to enjoy a song the second, third and fourth time I hear it. I might enjoy the second time hearing a joke, but it goes downhill pretty fast after that. I'm guessing this is normal. If a comedian's routine is recorded and widely disseminated, a lot of people might become fans and want to see him/her, but they're probably not going to wa…

Post by charlieok » Tue, Mar 20, 2012, 11:03 PM UTC

jgroome wrote: post #113

charlieok wrote: post #106

It's interesting to compare the economics of comedy vs music. I'm much more likely to enjoy a song the second, third and fourth time I hear it. I might enjoy the second time hearing a joke, but it goes downhill pretty fast after that. I'm guessing this is normal. If a comedian's routine is recorded and widely disseminated, a lot of people might become fans and want to see him/her, but they're probably not going to wa…

If you get a chance, check out "Talking Funny", a very nerdy but informative DVD of conversations between Jerry Seinfeld, Louis CK, Chris Rock, and Ricky Gervais. In it they discuss this very subject. Seinfeld says his method is to repeat material for years before throwing it out. Chris Rock sees his comedy specials schedule as the equivalent of an album ("like Prince"), so every tour he does completely new material.…

Post by 83457 » Tue, Mar 20, 2012, 11:32 PM UTC

rmason wrote: post #59

liber8 wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you were wrong. Considering Jeff Foxworthy has sold over 15 million albums[1], recently had a primetime show in syndication, and managed to make three of his drinking buddies into 8-figure yearly draws, I would say Louis CK is not even close to the most popular working comedian around. He has a rabid base, yes, but I would argue he's not even a mainstream comic (ie I would bet 9/10 people off the street would…

I've known and enjoyed Louis CK since he first broke on late night TV. Also know less well Jim Gaffican but I've seen a few of his specials. Even seen Foxworthy's 'drinking buddy' Ron White live. Am I the only one here who has never even heard of Aziz?

Post by beedogs » Wed, Mar 21, 2012, 12:55 AM UTC

trotsky wrote: post #16

untog wrote: 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.