Comedy’s Next Generation Is On TikTok
variety.comJulia MacCary editor Through TikTok’s rise and the now-looming threat of its being banned — many states have some kind of ban on the app already — the social platform has undeniably made people laugh and, inadvertently, ushered in a new generation of comics.
Providing short-form video content where the talent is at the steering wheel, they are free to post as much as they want (within the app’s guidelines), and their reach is subject only to the ever-present yet still unknown algorithm.
For some TikTok stars, the app has allowed them to chase their artistic dreams. For others, it has helped them unlock a dormant skill and uncover a new path into the industry.
DeMarcus Shawn (@artbydemarcusshawn) started making TikTok videos after he left his job at Starbucks. As his TikToks gained traction amid the pandemic, his search for a new job ended and TikTok became his career, he tells Variety over coffee in Chicago after kindly greeting a fan who recognized him.
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