rant · moment 5 of 15
Money vs. Respect in Comedy
from Montreal Mama · #107
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
5 minTim and Ray discuss the tradeoff between taking the 'shortcut' to money/fame via viral fame versus earning respect through years in the stand-up trenches, using Kevin Hart and Southern Mama as contrasting examples, and riff on New York comedy snobbery and artistic standards (Mozart vs. lute players).
- 16:31Tim wishes he and Red Com could have written Southern Mama's set before he bombed at a showcase.
- 17:02Chris Redd confronts Southern Mama for bombing and then lecturing everyone about comedy.
- 17:39The core trade-off: you can pursue money or respect in comedy, but not both without putting in years.
- 18:36Tim advises taking the money and house over respect—most comedians with respect have neither.
- 19:14Nothing is ever enough for anyone; people with fanbases and followers still want more.
- 19:58Comedians who succeed quickly think they're supposed to ascend without ever being told they suck.
- 20:28New York has to be the place that says no, that maintains taste even when a hundred thousand people say someone's great.
- 21:02There's a clear distinction between the greatest comedians and very popular ones—like the difference between Mozart and a lute player.
Richard PryorKevin HartChris ReddSouthern mama