Hacker News Reader

Comment by liber8 | Hacker News Reader

I think you were wrong.

Considering Jeff Foxworthy has sold over 15 million albums[1], recently had a primetime show in syndication, and managed to make three of his drinking buddies into 8-figure yearly draws, I would say Louis CK is not even close to the most popular working comedian around. He has a rabid base, yes, but I would argue he's not even a mainstream comic (ie I would bet 9/10 people off the street would not know who he is).

I think this bodes very well for those who can mobilize a few hundred thousand people. What I think will be even more interesting is how this will affect those that can only mobilize a few thousand.

[1]http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/number_1/2005/04/jeff_fox...

View on HN

Louis is the comedians comedian. He might not be the most popular, but he is the best at what he does right now. Ask any other comedian!

You may not be incorrect, but that's not what the commenter was saying. He was refuting the claim that 'Louis CK is probably the most popular working comedian today'.

Louis CK is popular in the same way that a band like Arcade Fire is popular. Arcade Fire sells lots of albums and is highly respected by other musicians, but the band isn't as well known among most of America as a top 40 staple like Rihanna.

This represents sort of a "high" pop-culture, which would include popular indie music acts like Arcade Fire, TV shows like Mad Men and Breaking Bad, and comedians like Louis CK and Jim Gaffigan.

I've known and enjoyed Louis CK since he first broke on late night TV. Also know less well Jim Gaffican but I've seen a few of his specials. Even seen Foxworthy's 'drinking buddy' Ron White live.

Am I the only one here who has never even heard of Aziz?

I'd never heard of him and didn't particularly like the preview. I still paid the $5 because I would like to see this business model take off and the show might be funny. To be honest, I didn't find Louis CK's $5 offering all that funny.

He is on the Parks and Rec show which is probably where most know him from.

Louis has a hit cable tv show, a deal for a network show on CBS and whenever almost any comedian is asked what other comedians they like are they usually reply in some form of "Louis, of course". Any fan of stand up comedy has at least heard of him.

He's not Jeff Foxworthy, but he's certainly "mainstream", although he's certainly not the most popular comedian around.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com