The Brief

Nick Kroll is no stranger to L.A.’s comedy scene.

After starting his career in New York, Kroll moved to L.A. in 2007.

“I remember my dream was to perform at Largo back when it was on Fairfax and now it’s Largo at the Coronet, which has become my sort of home stand-up club in L.A.,” Kroll told Larry Mantle on AirTalk, LAist 89.3’s daily news program.

The comedian has far surpassed those dreams. He's now the co-creator and voice actor of the hit adult animated series Big Mouth and star of comedy specials such as Little Big Boy and Oh, Hello on Broadway (all on Netflix).

Still, Kroll maintains his love for L.A. as a unique place for stand-up comedy.

Kroll shared his thoughts on L.A.’s vibrant comedy scene and the changing landscape of modern stand-up comedy ahead of one of the biggest comedy events of the year, Netflix Is A Joke Fest.

The evolution of L.A.'s comedy scene

“There was a sort of an alternative scene and then there was sort of a club comedy scene. But now there’s The Comedy Store and the Improv and the Laugh Factory, as well as amazing alternative venues all over the city.

What’s been fun is to watch all of those different scenes begin to integrate and create a much larger comedy world where that serves so many different audiences and so many different audiences are finding crossover inside those different kinds of spaces.”

Netflix's influence on comedy

Actress and comedian Ali Wong accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie for "Beef" during the 75th Emmy Awards.

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“I think it can take a comedian who would have, in the past, been able to perform at clubs around the country just as a working comedian, and really expand their audience. Like someone like Ali Wong, who before her special, was an amazing comedian and was a working comedian. The exposure that Netflix gave her has made her a household name. And she’s obviously gone on to do other kinds of stuff, like Beef for Netflix.

Someone like Ali or John Mulaney, who I have known forever, since college — those specials really expanded their audience on a scale that has made comedy not just a niche element of American entertainment, but a central pivotal venue for entertainment.”

The economics of comedy in the internet age

“It’s opened up tremendously from where it was. Montreal, it was a comedy festival, and there was another one in Aspen when I was starting out. If you were at my stage, or at the beginning of your career, you really needed to go to one of those festivals and get noticed, get signed by agents, managers. Hopefully get some sort of deal to develop a sitcom, or maybe, once in a blue moon, get an HBO special.

That has changed dramatically. Aspen is no more. Montreal is in real financial trouble.

I think it’s because the internet has just opened all of that up so much. If you’re a funny person and you start to make funny videos on TikTok, or you have a podcast that builds an audience, or you’re on Patreon and you have a dedicated group of people … you can build audiences in so many ways and build revenue streams for yourself in so many ways. That has changed the economics of it.”

Comedy as a mode to tell universal truths

Hosts John Mulaney (L) and Nick Kroll speak onstage during the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

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“I think it allowed people to speak to their specific experience and that in turn will speak to an audience that has either a shared experience or an interest in another point of view.

I think what sets apart certain comedians inside of that is that they speak to their specific experience, but in doing so, speak to some universal truths or a relatability to a broader audience that might not have the same shared experience but can feel, you know, frustrations about parenting, or being unlucky in love, or just observations on culture — that allow people to engage and relate, even if its not exactly what their point of view or life is.”

Favorite venues

There are still thriving comedy clubs in L.A. for comedians looking to perform live. Kroll recommends “doing spots at the Comedy Store” or places like Largo, Dynasty Typewriter, or The Elysian.

“There’s plenty of venues that aren’t going to necessarily make you an incredible living but can help you get out of having a day job so that you can focus on your comedy,” he said.

Netflix is a Joke Fest runs from May 1-12 in Los Angeles. Learn more at Netflixisajokefest.com.    

There will be a “Big Mouth” live event at the Greek Theatre on May 2 at 8 p.m., featuring Kroll, John Mulaney, Maya Rudolph, Jessi Klein, Fred Armisen and many more as part of Netflix is a Joke Fest.  

Listen here

Listen to Larry’s conversation with Nick Kroll and Robbie Praw, Netflix's head of comedy and creator of Netflix is a Joke Fest.