Interview · moment 14 of 30
LA's Business Hustle vs New York's Purism
from #174 - Brendan Schaub | The Tim Dillon Show · #174
5 min
Guest
Brendan and Tim continue comparing LA's entrepreneurial, collaborative comedy scene (merch, podcasts, crossover with YouTubers) to New York's status-obsessed purism, crediting LA innovation for bigger podcast success.
- Tim describes a talented comic stuck in a self-sabotaging loop, refusing to take risks or put in the work despite potential for major success.
- New York comics get trapped in purity mentality about the one correct way to do stand-up, limiting their audience growth.
- In LA, there's no line between stand-up comedians and content creators like Logan Paul—appearing on YouTube or social media shows feels natural.
- LA has more collaborative energy within the comedy group, while New York comics fight with each other due to perceived scarcity.
- Innovation in LA was born from necessity—fewer comedy spots forced creators to explore podcasting and other formats instead of relying on nightly shows.
- New York maintains a strict status hierarchy about who's a 'real comic,' while LA has more diverse opportunities in Hollywood, TV, and movies.
- New York comics who cross over—Mark Normand, Schultz, the Rogan crowd—bring a work ethic and intensity that impresses the LA scene.
- Getting into comedy later gave Tim the perspective he wouldn't have had starting younger, though he regrets missing out on stage time in his youth.