Joe Rogan recently talked about how stand-up comedians like Theo Von and Tim Dillon found huge success without needing Hollywood’s help.
During Episode 2310 of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast with filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, Rogan explained how the internet changed comedy forever.
The Internet Opened Doors for Unconventional Comics, Says Joe Rogan
During the conversation, Rogan credited the internet for reshaping the path to fame for comics who didn’t fit the traditional late-night TV mold.
“What happened was the internet came along and a bunch of unconventional people became very famous without the help of Hollywood,” Rogan said. “People like the Tim Dillons of the world that don’t fit into the television box but can go Buck Wild online — it’s incredible.”
Rogan pointed out that comedians like Theo Von, who might have struggled to land mainstream TV gigs, used their unique styles to build huge audiences online. He compared today’s booming stand-up comedy scene to the past, noting how rare arena acts were in the 1980s. Only a few, like Steve Martin and Andrew Dice Clay, reached that level back then.
“There’s more arena acts now for stand-up comedy than ever before in the history of comedy,” Rogan said. He also talked about how overwhelming fame once confused Steve Martin to the point that he quit stand-up altogether. Rogan said the new system lets comics stay true to themselves without the creative limits often forced by TV executives.
Joe Rogan Breaks Down Why UFC Pay-Per-View Numbers Are Declining
Aside from comedy, Rogan also talked about UFC pay-per-view sales and why the numbers might be slipping. Rogan suggested that casual fans aren’t buying events as much compared to how boxing has done it.
“Well, I think in general the pay-per-view numbers are down because the casuals aren’t buying it as much,” Rogan explained in a previous JRE episode.
Unlike boxing, where huge pay-per-views like a Canelo Alvarez fight are built up over months, the UFC holds a pay-per-view nearly every month and weekly fight nights. Rogan said that while hardcore MMA fans stay engaged, casual fans might not want to spend $70 every few weeks.
He also pointed out that some of the best fights happen before the pay-per-view even starts.
“Some of the great fights are on the undercard. Before the pay-per-view even starts, you already have three and a half hours of great fights you could watch for free,” Rogan said. While this strategy builds excitement, it can also satisfy fans enough that they don’t feel like they need to buy the main card.