Joe Rogan and Dane Cook Set the Tone for Technology in Stand-Up Comedy on justin.tv
I have several friends who are very good stand-up comedians. Top notch, no bullshit performers. Unfortunately there are a lot of these people out there. It has been my observation that the difference between a very good stand-up comedian and a great stand-up comedian is the ability to promote oneself and to have no fear in doing so. Let’s put aside writing ability…because if you can’t write…you’re dead in the water right off the bat. If you want to become great…or even well known…you need to promote…or you will hover in the middle somewhere for your entire career. In our society, that means embracing technology at it’s earliest adoption points…and embracing every consumer touch point. This means you just can’t be a writer…you just can’t be a stand-up comedian…you have to be a business person that manages your own career. So many comedians I see seem to think writing is enough…letting other people get them a gig here or a gig there is enough. The tools are available for comedians to be known by everyone in the world.
Dane Cook and Joe Rogan are two prime examples of comedians who have embraced technology to become gigantic. These two gentleman are on opposite ends of the spectrum as far as jokes and personality are concerned…save the fact that Dane doesn’t drink and Joe gets high everyday. However, they both fully understand that the way to success in our society and economy is using the internet and technology to boost your career. And they both understand it’s an active approach…that needs to be tweaked and played with constantly. Comedians are use to perfecting something and not going with it until it’s exactly right. That’s not the world we live in…people who try new things on the internet are rewarded…and so will you.
Both have recently started using a service called justin.tv - a live video service community. Every comedian should be on here…immediately. I mentioned something to a friend about doing live shows on justin.tv and he said comedians are hesitant about being taped. I told him…great comedians embrace technology and the unknown…middle market comedians are afraid.
February 5th, 2008 at 9:18 am
You’re right about embracing technology - comics should not be afraid of it. But I’m not sure what you mean by “live shows” - neither Rogan or Cook have done live stand-up sets online as of yet - and I imagine they could be as ambivalent as your friend is. The live experience of stand-up is still important to both of them - both artistically and commercially. I think they’ll both be a little slower to put on a “live show.”
But they have had essential live chats or conversations with their fans online using justin.tv, which I can definitely see the advantages of - and is nothing for comics to be afraid of.