Good One The Death of the Middle Class Comedian (with Chris Gethard)
8 snips
Jan 8, 2026 
Chris Gethard, a comedian and podcast host known for his unique approach to storytelling, discusses the alarming decline of the middle-class comedian. He shares insights on how tech overreach is undermining sustainable careers. Gethard critiques social media's impact on comedy and the false promises of platforms like YouTube. He advocates for community-building through collectives and mailing lists, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in art. With a focus on survival and resilience, he inspires a new generation of creators to reclaim their craft.
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Platform 'Independence' Is Often Illusory
- Tech platforms have shifted from enabling independence to controlling creators' careers.
- Chris Gethard warns the system now tricks creators into feeding algorithms that ultimately exploit them.
When Middle-Class Comedy Jobs Existed
- Early internet publishers like The Onion and CollegeHumor provided middle-class comedy jobs.
- Gethard says Facebook's manipulated metrics and pay-to-play destroyed that ecosystem.
A Lost Decade Of Middle-Class Careers
- There was a rare decade where mid-tier comedy careers were viable; that window has closed.
- Jesse frames the collapse as both structural (platforms) and cultural (false DIY promises).
