The work of being a comedian and fielding comedy projects hasn’t been the identical for the reason that pandemic — in good and not-so-good ways.
That’s considered one of many takeaways from a deep conversation in regards to the business of comedy with Blair Kohan and Jason Heyman, UTA board members and partners, featured on the most recent episode of Variety‘s “Strictly Business” podcast. Kohan and Heyman are longtime colleagues who’ve been within the trenches together and know one another’s rhythms and strengths, like every good buddy act.
The 2 address head on the challenges that traditional adult comedies have faced in recent times on the box office, and the undeniable fact that sitcoms are few and much between on network television as of late. And yet, the pair emphasize, there’s more talent bursting from all corners and more avenues for expressing comedy than ever before.
“I believe people need to laugh in community. I believe what’s driving this live experience [boom] is being together in a room and laughing together,” Kohan says. “After we speak about all these great movies, these great comedies of the last 25-50 years, it was going to the theater and laughing in community. And I believe we’re missing that.”
Heyman sees opportunity within the disruption across the network TV system that was once crucial for constructing the careers of comedy stars.
“Can a ‘Modern Family’ exist again? Can an ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ exist? It’s a extremely good query,” Heyman asks. “The nice side of it’s that schedule, that routine that all of us grew up with — pilot season and upfronts and fall schedule and all of that — that’s all gone. So you’ve got somewhat more flexibility and the talent can go off to do other things, come back after they feel creatively inspired,” Hayman says.
Kohan notes that stars that emerge out of social media platforms can often have more control over their material after they do work with mainstream Hollywood, citing Rachel Sennott and her recent HBO series “I Love L.A.” for example. Kohan calls it a “reverse-incubation” effect.
“We all the time talk in regards to the heyday of Comedy Central and Funny or Die and people incubators. ‘SNL,’ which remains to be there and still incubating, identifying, discovering. We miss those days because that’s where we were in a position to launch talent. It’s where we discovered talent,” she says. “With social media, we now have comedians like Matt Rife. Nate Bargatze Leanne Morgan, Ali Wong, who’re developing their audience directly, and so we now have this reverse-incubation thing where the Netflixes and the Amazons and HBOs attach to them after they’ve already created this platform for themselves. In order that they have somewhat bit more control and understanding about what their audience is searching for. The lack of Comedy Central and, Funny or Die has been replaced by, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.”
Heyman, who has had a protracted association with Will Ferrell and other multihyphenate comedians, says the low volume of comedy movies reaching the theatrical box office situation is concerning.
“In case you don’t construct it, they won’t come. So at a certain point, someone has to take the shot,” Heyman says. “Because should you don’t construct it, I can guarantee you they won’t come. People largely now don’t even take into consideration going to the theater to see an R-rated comedy. In case you’re a 20-year-old kid going out along with your buddies, It’s not something you even consider doing.”
(Pictured: Blair Kohan and Jayson Heyman outside UTA’s headquarters in Beverly Hills)
“Strictly Business” is Variety’s weekly podcast featuring conversations with industry leaders in regards to the business of media and entertainment. (Please click here to subscribe to our free newsletter.) Recent episodes debut every Wednesday and might be downloaded at Apple Podcasts, iHeartMedia, Amazon Music, Spotify and more.