Comedian Ryan Long Tells The Best Joke Ever | Unsubscribe Podcast 251
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The internet has created 'different spheres of influence' where niche creators can achieve massive viewership without mainstream recognition (e.g., 'Hoof Guy', 'Lawn Mower Guy').
- ❖New comedy scenes thrive in areas with low rent, allowing artists to dedicate years to their craft without high financial pressure.
- ❖Nervousness in comedy stems from uncertainty; experienced comedians are more anxious performing for a small, critical audience than a large, predictable one.
- ❖Traditional entertainment unions (e.g., film, theater) often impose archaic rules that stifle creativity and make production prohibitively expensive, pushing talent towards independent online platforms.
- ❖Adapting comedy material to different regional audiences is crucial, as what's 'edgy' or relatable varies significantly between cities and cultures.
- ❖The life cycle of a stand-up comedy hour is typically 1.5 to 2 years before it needs to be recorded and replaced with new material for touring artists.
- ❖Building a 'community' around comedy, while beneficial for YouTubers, is often seen as antithetical to traditional stand-up, which prioritizes the material over fan engagement.
- ❖A sustainable career for artists often involves creating 'rackets' or diversified income streams that require minimal hours, freeing up time to focus on their primary craft.
Insights
1The Decentralization of Comedy Scenes
The traditional path for comedians, moving to New York for skill development and then LA for fame, is changing. Austin has emerged as a third major contender, and other cities like Atlanta and Chicago are fostering local scenes. This decentralization is partly driven by the internet, which allows artists to build audiences from anywhere, and the 'incubator house' theory, where lower rent enables prolonged creative development.
Ryan Long started in Toronto, moved to New York, and notes Austin's rise. He discusses how low rent allows bands to afford garages and comedians to live cheaply, dedicating time to art (, ).
2The Psychology of Performance Anxiety
For a seasoned comedian, nervousness is not triggered by large, anonymous crowds but by small, intimate settings where the opinions of respected peers are present. A large audience is predictable, and an experienced performer knows they can handle any situation. A small, critical audience, especially with someone whose opinion matters, introduces uncertainty and self-doubt.
Long states he wouldn't get jitters for 2,000 people, but would for seven people if someone whose opinion he cared about walked in. He explains nervousness comes from uncertainty, and in a large theater, he knows exactly what will happen (, ).
3The Torture of the Comedy Cycle
The modern expectation for touring comedians is to produce a new hour of material every 1.5 to 2 years. This constant cycle of developing, performing, recording, and then discarding an entire hour of jokes is described as 'torture,' especially when starting a new hour with only a few minutes of proven material.
Long explains the life cycle of a joke, stating that a touring comedian needs a new hour every 1.5 to 2 years, recording it, and then starting over. He calls the process of building a new hour from scratch 'torture' (, ).
4The Impact of Internet Fame on Live Performance
While the internet allows creators to build massive audiences, translating that online presence into successful live ticket sales is a distinct challenge. Many internet-famous personalities struggle to fill large venues because online viewership doesn't automatically equate to a dedicated, ticket-buying community willing to attend live shows repeatedly. Traditional comedy clubs often prioritize comedians with proven live drawing power over those with just online numbers.
Long notes that many internet personalities think their audience will naturally come to a show, but often only 300 people show up to a 2,000-seat venue. He contrasts this with his own 10 years of stand-up experience before selling tickets (, ).
Bottom Line
The 'community' building aspect, common for YouTubers, is subtly frowned upon in traditional stand-up comedy, where the focus is on the material's strength rather than cultivating a 'babysat' fanbase.
This creates a cultural divide between new-media and old-media comedians, making collaboration or crossover difficult and potentially limiting growth for those who adhere strictly to one philosophy.
Hybrid models that subtly blend community engagement with strong, independent material could capture both loyal online fans and traditional live audiences, bridging the gap without alienating either side.
The 'best joke ever' often reveals itself not in the initial concept, but through a single, unexpected line within a longer, otherwise discarded bit, taking years to fully realize its potential.
This highlights that creative breakthroughs are often iterative and non-linear, requiring persistence and a willingness to revisit old material, as true 'gold' may be hidden within perceived failures.
Artists should maintain archives of all material, even 'bombs,' and periodically review them, as context or a single element might unlock a previously unseen comedic or artistic value years later.
Opportunities
Develop 'Rackets' for Financial Stability as an Artist
Find ways to generate 30-40k USD annually with the least amount of hours, allowing maximum time to focus on creative pursuits without financial pressure. This could involve specialized freelance skills (e.g., video editing, music production) or niche services.
Systematized Touring Model for Comedians
Instead of erratic, large tours, implement a consistent schedule of 24 weekends per year. This provides a manageable, predictable income stream and allows for better work-life balance, with planned breaks for special releases or new material development.
Affordable Arena Shows for Niche Online Communities
For large online communities (like the Unsubscribe Podcast fanbase), rent out major arenas, cut out ticketing service fees, and price tickets affordably (e.g., $25). The goal is to maximize attendance and create a 'Mecca' event, leveraging community loyalty over high individual ticket prices.
Key Concepts
Incubator House Theory for Creative Scenes
New artistic scenes (e.g., music, comedy) often emerge in places with low cost of living, allowing artists to share housing and dedicate years to developing their craft without financial pressure, fostering an environment for creative experimentation and 'low stakes' mistakes.
The Octagon Analogy for Performance Mastery
Mastery in a performance art like stand-up makes difficult situations feel manageable. An experienced comedian performing to a large crowd is akin to a UFC fighter beating up a guy in a bar – it's not stressful because they have the skills and instincts to handle any outcome, unlike a novice facing a truly challenging opponent.
Lessons
- Prioritize audience experience in live shows by ensuring optimal venue acoustics, lighting (dark audience, low ceilings), and seating density to maximize laughter and engagement.
- When facing unexpected negative energy from venue staff, address the 'elephant in the room' on stage to neutralize tension and align with the audience, who are typically on the performer's side.
- For live performances, always have an opener to warm up the crowd and set a positive tone, as audiences are more receptive to the main act after a brief comedic introduction.
Notable Moments
Ryan Long's 'Colonization' Joke
A lengthy, edgy joke about historical colonization, involving various ethnic groups and stereotypes, showcases the comedian's willingness to push boundaries and the audience's mixed reaction, highlighting the subjective nature of humor and the challenge of 'solving comedy'.
The Unsubscribe Podcast's 'Jersey' Venue Experience
The hosts recount a uniquely hostile experience with unionized venue staff in New Jersey, who were uncooperative, refused tips, and even turned off lights during a medical emergency, leading to a massive online 'review bomb' from their audience. This illustrates the significant impact of venue management on live show success and the power of online communities.
Canadian Soldiers' WWI 'Food Can Grenade' Tactic
A historical anecdote describes how Canadian soldiers in WWI would repeatedly throw food cans into enemy trenches, only to eventually throw a grenade, exploiting the enemy's hunger and trust. This highlights the brutal and unconventional tactics employed in warfare, often predating or violating later rules of engagement.
Quotes
"If I was doing a show for like seven people in the city and it was crappy and then someone that I care about their opinion walks in the room then all of a sudden you're kind of like all right and then you start then that's when your brain starts going like these weird moments you kind of get nervous for a second."
"It's like your buddy coming to your house and clean the place, puts in a soda stream when he leaves. He's like, 'Mind if I take some oregano?' and you're like, 'What the fuck?'"
"We're going to make it harder in a time where our competition is so much more prepared to overtake us for the the war on attention."
"Find out how to make 30 grand a year with the least amount of hours possible so you can kind of spend your time doing other things and then never nickel and dime the career you're pursuing."
Q&A
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