Demetri Martin = Sell Out?
Saturday, January 31st, 2009
WARNING – THIS EDITORIAL CONTAINS LANGUAGE WHICH MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN.
VIEWER DISCRESSION IS RECOMENDED!
This morning I sat down to write about Demetri Martin. He combines two things I’m passionate about: Visual Thinking and Humor. Visual Thinking, because it’s easier to communicate information visually, and Humor, because it’s a universal remedy for crappy moods. Combining Visual Thinking with Humor is, in Demetri Martin’s own words, “Crazy Awesome.”
So, I settled into my favorite chair with a cup of coffee in hand and began to search for my favorite Demetri video on YouTube. If I’ve watched it once, I’ve watched a hundred of times. My kids have memorized all the jokes. Hmm…I can’t seem to find the video. I search my usual key words “Flip Chart Comedian” (a.k.a. Demetri Martin). Nothing. What the %$^&? I watched the video on YouTube just a few weeks ago. Where did it go? After 30 minutes of searching without success, I get this message on YouTube: This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Viacom International Inc.
Where do I start? I mean - I’m excited and happy for Demetri, as I’m only guessing that he has worked his ass off touring the country, sharing his “Crazy Awesome” gift with audiences who are looking to laugh. His videos were all over YouTube. They made people happy. Getting his own TV show is a great accomplishment. Note: This is the spot were I was going to paste the information about the premier of his new show “IMPORTANT THINGS” on Comedy Central but the lawyers at Viacom International won’t let me copy it from his web site. So I’ve made my own version for your enjoyment.
I’m happy for Demetri, but I have a hard time with “Win-Lose” situations. A big part of Demetri’s success was, in large part, a result of the viral nature of social networking, as well as YouTube. People would record his comedy from the television, and then post it on YouTube where millions could watch. It was YouTube that put him in a leveraging position to sign a contract with Comedy Central for his own TV show (Viacom). When he signed this contract, he agreed not to let anyone copy the content because it was now the property of Viacom.
That rubs me the wrong way. He used the free viral social network to attract his audience, and then he removed a factor that was a big contributing part to his fame. This is another example of the natural friction that exists between the World Wide Web and the old regime of old-school media giants (e.g. Napster, and the recording studios).
The rules are changing. In the future, success for companies and artists will look different. This doesn’t mean anyone (Viacom or Demetri Martin) should stop making money for what they do. Rather, consider changing how you do it so that everyone wins. I only wish that Demetri would have tried to find a way where he could have his fame and money and not throw his integrity out the window. But who am I to judge? All I want to do is share my gift with as many people as I can. If I’m able to find success along the way, then that’s a bonus.
In summary, today made me remember three important things:
- It’s good to laugh. Laughing makes us feel better. It helps to drain daily stresses.
- All you need to connect with others is a pen, a piece of paper and your imagination – with that anything is possible.
- Beware the ”Me Monster.”
So, instead of the regularly schedule video clip, I now give you Brian Regan (thanks for keeping it real!).