The 2017 'Comedy Needs a Bust' Article Revisited

• 37:04Tim brings up the 2017 article claiming comedy needs a bust and says he agreed with it at the time.
• 37:23The guest admits he's written positively about Tim Dillon and now regrets it.
• 37:36Tim recalls the article's argument: there was too much sameness in comedy and it was harder for mid-level performers to break through to the next level.
• 37:58The guest argues that the funniest people are the ones working hardest in clubs, focused on their art rather than chasing fame.
• 38:25Tim explains the bust article's thesis: the period between the 80s boom and 2008 was economically bad for comedy clubs but actually artistically strong.
• 38:48Chappelle and the invention of alt comedy with Mr. Show happened during the supposed fallow period, contradicting the narrative that it was a bad time for comedy.
• 39:09UCB started in that period as an exciting, risk-taking space but has since hardened into an institutional conservative place.
• 39:35The guest argues institutions aren't that important—artists and the scene are what matter, and institutions should serve artists rather than sacrifice them.
• 39:58Tim notes that thinking about the consumer matters too: ticket prices and accessibility affect whether comedy is thriving.
• 40:14The guest admits he was wrong about predicting a bust—there hasn't actually been one, and maybe podcasts are part of why the market hasn't collapsed.

Dave ChappelleUCBMr. ShowRory ScovilleKate Berlant