From: officialflagrant
The world of Comedy and Standup and entertainment often sees different strategies for promotion and maintaining relevance, with some comedians opting for direct confrontations or “beefs” to generate buzz. This approach, while effective, challenges traditional comedic norms and raises questions about professional conduct.
The Cat Williams Phenomenon
Cat Williams is highlighted as potentially “the greatest marketer in the history of comedy” due to his unique approach to promoting his work [00:33:18]. Following a single podcast interview, he reportedly sold out his next tour multiple times [00:36:50]. His strategy involves mixing truth with made-up stories, which is seen as “very entertaining” [00:34:03]. Despite making numerous claims against various individuals, including Harvey Weinstein, no lawsuits have been filed against him [00:36:07].
It is suggested that his influence might even overshadow major news, such as the Epstein file revelations, which occurred on the same day his podcast interview garnered 38 million views [00:37:19].
Breaking the “Comedy Code”
The comedy industry is perceived to have an unwritten “code” against publicly attacking other comedians [00:36:02]. Cat Williams’ direct call-outs of other comedians challenged this norm, drawing parallels to how artists in hip-hop create buzz through diss tracks [00:35:41]. This strategy is typically seen from “desperate comics” struggling for relevance or harboring resentment, but Williams’ standing makes his use of it unique [00:46:34].
Post-Interview Actions
Cat Williams further intensified the “beef” by reportedly taking Kevin Hart’s ex-wife, Torrei Hart, who is also a comedian, on select dates of his new tour [00:38:34], [00:47:08]. This move is described as “dirty business” and “crazy” [00:39:51], seen as a deliberate attempt to annoy or embarrass Kevin Hart and leverage personal history for career gain [00:40:05].
Lawsuits and Comedic Retort
The discussion also delved into instances where legal action was considered in response to public criticism or jokes in the comedy sphere.
Comedians vs. Comedians
It’s argued that when one comedian makes fun of another, the appropriate response should be more jokes, not lawsuits [00:41:17]. The case of Kevin Hart suing Tasha K is mentioned, noting that Tasha K is not a comedian [00:42:24].
Jimmy Kimmel vs. Aaron Rodgers
The perceived overreaction of Jimmy Kimmel to Aaron Rodgers’ jokes about him being on the Epstein list is criticized [00:42:02]. Kimmel’s threat of legal action is seen as “corny” for a comedian of his stature, who should have responded with humor [00:42:15]. It is asserted that if a comedian starts a verbal jab, they shouldn’t be upset if it’s returned [00:42:47].
Accusations of Joke Stealing
A comedian suing another for accusations of stealing jokes or being “not funny” would be understandable, as it directly impacts ticket sales and reputation [00:44:49]. However, the ideal response would still be to “clown him in a way that will reverse any of that damage” [00:45:07].
Hosting Awards Shows
Hosting major awards shows like the Golden Globes presents a unique challenge for comedians due to the self-absorbed and camera-aware nature of the Hollywood audience [00:55:36].
Ricky Gervais’s Approach
Ricky Gervais is lauded for his successful approach to hosting, characterized by an unapologetic, trolling attitude [00:57:42]. He communicates that he “doesn’t give a shit” about Hollywood’s perceptions, which is “intoxicating” to an audience that cares deeply about validation [00:57:55]. His jokes are “biting” and force the audience to react to avoid appearing humorless [01:02:16]. A key example is his joke about Leonardo DiCaprio’s dating habits and the length of The Irishman [01:06:40], which is clever and allows the audience to feel smart for understanding the reference [01:07:03].
Joe Koy’s Performance
Joe Koy’s recent hosting of the Golden Globes is discussed, with the consensus being a “tough situation” [00:55:01]. It’s noted that he had only 10 days to prepare for an “audience that’s like kind of a nightmare situation” [00:55:01]. Unlike Gervais, Koy’s visible desire to succeed and the lack of expected laughter from the audience seemingly “rattled him” [00:59:12]. His joke about Taylor Swift and NFL cutaways is seen as not “biting” enough, leading to a negative online reaction from “Swifties” [01:09:54]. Koy’s choice to blame his writers on stage is criticized as a defensive move [01:08:31].
Internal Drama as Promotion
The strategy of using internal company drama for public promotion is highlighted through Pat McAfee’s actions at ESPN.
Pat McAfee’s ESPN Strategy
Pat McAfee publicly accused Norby Williamson, a high-ranking ESPN executive, of attempting to sabotage his show, calling him a “rat” and a “douche” [01:36:03]. Despite the severity of the accusations, ESPN took no action against McAfee, who later posted a photo with another high-ranking executive, calling him a “good friend” [01:37:03]. This tactic is compared to how Barstool Sports and the Kardashians use internal drama to draw in and monetize audience engagement [01:37:23], essentially creating an “internal drama” playbook [01:37:37]. This strategy makes audiences care about the drama and draws attention to the show [01:37:48].