Comedian Kelsey Cook has come up with her idea why more and more people are flocking to podcasts for their information, and the engaging stand-up comedy interests in recent years.

Cook has been a stand-up comedian for over 15 years and her recent special, Mark Your Trinorition, premiered on Hulu and YouTube on February 11.

She believes the main reason people are turning to podcasts in mainstream media comes down to a lack of trust and relevance between mainstream media and the public.

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“I think people are starting to get more political information from podcasts because I think people want to feel like they can trust the interviewer more. And, usually, podcasts are like ‘I’m one of you,’ Cook said. “Especially if it’s a comedian, it feels like a lot, this is a guy like us. ”

She also noted that time related to comedians and podcasts is much easier than a politician or news host than a comedian and podcast.

"This (Podcaster) is not another politician, maybe not a news anchor that we are not necessarily related to. So, I think that's why people turn to podcasts more than just feeling that they trust their host more, but It's like a completely different interview environment. "The comedian said. "I think what's being talked about is a bit laid back. It feels like a more realistic interview than a main source of news."

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The 2024 election cycle brings the idea of ​​public trust in legacy media to the spotlight, with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance allocating most of his time to the campaign to appear in Joe Rogan (Joe Rogan) experience and experience like Joe Rogan and the playback of Tim Dillon.

The strategy paid off, with Trump winning the popular vote in 2024 and continuing to see his endorsement rating at his personal all-time high after the election.

Cook also talks about the medium where comedy becomes more freer than ever, the comics have the ability to say whatever they want (whether on stage or in a podcast studio) and find what they say to them Interested audiences. As Cook explains, there are no more gatekeepers who can mediate what the comics can convey to the audience.

"I do think comedy is getting more free. I think people can find their own fan base more than ever and don't have to be like, you don't have to be everyone's cup of tea," Cook claimed. “I think people can do what they want to do, say what they want, and their fans will find them, and that becomes very free.”

As far as stand-up comedy goes, Cook believes the biggest reason for the recent popularity is the Covid-19 pandemic, which has led to more attention than ever on social media and streaming services.

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"I think the biggest thing that might help the comedy blast may be the pandemic. You know, everyone is watching TV on their phones, watching their phones, and that's when it becomes a comic, letting you finish as much content as you can, because That's the demand for that there," Cook said.

The end of the pandemic is the beginning of Cook’s tour, Cook said. Many people who find their favorite comedians through social media and streaming services during lockdown are finally able to see their favorite behavior in person.

“I think you see people finding their favorite comics in the pandemic and then once things get back up, people can tour again and people are like, ‘Great, this guy comes to my city, I was just squeezed in, no matter how long it is, I want to go out and do things. So, I think a lot of us have seen a huge tour, especially once people can go out and get back to normal life.”

According to Pollstar, revenue from stand-up exhibitions doubled from 2022 to 2024, with the top 25 comedians totaling $582.7 million in the past year.

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