People are more hungry than ever for immediate laughter and connection, and they are looking for it in any way they can.
Rather than waiting for Netflix to release the latest hourlong comedy special or saving up for tickets to a standup show, comic relief is now at your fingertips. Simply launch TikTok.
Comedy is more accessible than ever in 2022. Despite the fact that some comedians were early adopters of the TikTok craze, the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of comedy clubs in 2020 forced many comedians (famous or not) to get creative. Many found their audiences online, and with TikTok’s meteoric rise (from 133 million to 902 million annual users in three years), it’s clear that social media has altered the comedy landscape.
“Before the pandemic, the only people you got to see perform were who the industry thought was funny, who the industry thought would get a special, who the industry thought would put on a late-night show,” says comedian Robyn Schall. “People now decide who is funny and who they want to see because of the pandemic, TikTok, and Instagram. It shifts power from the industry to the people.”
And the populace has spoken.
According to TikTok data obtained by USA TODAY, the hashtags #comedy, #humour, and #funny have amassed billions of views on the social media platform. The hashtags #standup, #standupcomedy, #skit, #sketchcomedy, and #comedyskit have received approximately 82.5 billion views.
From the backlash against Dave Chappelle to TikTok stardom, here’s how comedy will change in 2022.
A new generation of comedians is proving that there is humour in humanity by bringing their authentic selves and embracing diversity.
In an era when the world desperately needs laughter, the USA TODAY entertainment team compiled and interviewed these comedians, not only because they make us laugh by making fun of everyday occurrences, but also because they address important issues such as mental health, anxiety, stereotypes, and sexuality.
Check out these comedians and what they have to say about creating laughs on TikTok (in no particular order).
Elyse Myers (@elysemyers) transitioned from stay-at-home mom and coder to comedian, amassing 5 million TikTok followers by sharing hilarious anecdotes from her life experiences, sprinkled with relatable anxiety and awkwardness. Fans flock to her content because of her blunt storytelling, catchphrases (“absolutely not”), and silly graphics.
Myers’ video about the worst first date she’d ever been on (she was duped into buying 100 tacos) went viral, catapulting her into comedy, a career she’d never considered.
“Even calling myself a comedian feels strange to me, as if to say, ‘no, I just like being funny!’
But people say, ‘that’s a comedian.’ “Myers claims. She had never done any standup before, she claims. “TikTok naturally created that space for me.”
The 28-year-old from Nebraska also claims that social media platforms have made comedy more accessible.
“It’s breaking down the barriers for people who don’t feel like they have a chance to succeed because they don’t have the right team,” she says.
“You are the group.
You will be the videographer. You are the author. You are the chief editor. You are everything, and if you can dive into all of those areas and learn them, you will be able to succeed if it is something you want to do.”
Aside from her amusing stories, Myers has gained followers for her genuine and encouraging perspectives on mental health.
“What we crave the most right now is human connection,” says Myers, who plans to spread her message via podcast and television.
“So if I can incorporate that into my comedy, that’s very important to me, and I’ll do it every time.”
