New Rule for Breaking Comedians

Luke Girgis sits down with Emilio Savone to unpack what it really takes to build a lasting career in comedy. Most comedians think they’re treating their career like a business. Emilio thinks many of them don’t realise where they’re falling short. Emilio has spent years running New York comedy clubs and managing comics. In this conversation, he explains why followers are a weak substitute for emails and phone numbers, why every comedian needs a website, and why the smartest career move can sometimes be to stop touring. Luke and Emilio also get into the real difference between a manager and an agent, how Joe DeRosa turned a rejected special into a YouTube hit, what platforms notice once an audience makes a comic impossible to ignore, and why a slow month doesn’t necessarily mean the business is broken. This is a practical conversation about the business behind a comedy career, from someone who sees it from both sides of the stage. Hosted by Luke Girgis for The Black Hoody, a publication and podcast for music and comedy executives, managers, and agents. Subscribe for more conversations about the business behind entertainment.