Photo Credit: Kristian Hammerstad / Atlantic Magazine Photo Credit: Kristian Hammerstad / Atlantic Magazine

After the recent internet buzz from Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock mentioning colleges are no longer a PC working environment for comedians, the ATLANTIC magazine wrote this article HERE.

I think it’s MOST important to make sure that we’re all aware that this is a conversation that has been going on for the better part of a year – and is a hot topic.  As the owner of one of the largest suppliers of campus comedy for the last 17 years (and a direct representation to comedian Geoff Keith interviewed for this piece) – it’s a conversation we have on the regular.  That flame is only fueled after headlines like this.

While the college market ISN’T right for everyone (Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Tracy Morgan, etc.) it is THE PERFECT place for countless others who are willing to evolve within the market and give the market what it needs.  What works for the college market (and specifically the student activities funded market) is not the same as corporate, club or even college aged audiences in a bar.  Just like some of our favorite acoustic singer songwriters will sing Disney songs on that college stage – they know that same material will not work at a bar.  It’s what makes them FABULOUS at their art and craft – to know what works and what does not for the audience they are in front of.

This article makes claims that only the cleanest of clean or PC comedians would wind up on top.  Well to be honest, that is sometimes true. The student activities directors on hand at conferences mentioned in the Atlantic article obviously are the gateway to what ultimately gets booked on campuses, and having comedians that may raise a few eyebrows with questionable or risque’ material reflects on them and their job directly with the higher-ups at their campus.  Now naturally, many of them take the “safer” route when booking talent for their school. Every school is unique regarding  the material content  being performed from their performance venues, and to lump them all into one category of saying ALL colleges are becoming a place where you HAVE to be PC, is quite false.  It is my personal opinion that the reason Jerry Seinfeld mentions he doesn’t perform colleges anymore is NOT because of the PC claims (remember, Jerry’s a pretty “clean” comedian), however it’s because most colleges can not even AFFORD his high appearance fee.

There are over 3,000 campuses in the U.S. each utilizing student activities dollars to entertain the students at their school.  It is the job of the agency to work with each school directly in finding the specific type of comedian to book at each specific event and to not just ring up a sale. Having a “safe/clean” comedian obviously will not cause any ripples in the pond, however that doesn’t mean the show isn’t going to be “entertaining”.  There are countless comedians that are in high demand & make a good living in the college market who can adapt to the sometimes “clean/PC” demands certain schools place in front of them.

So what are we saying? Well, it’s simple, there’s two sides to every coin.  Comedy (like music) is always going to be subjective.  Will there always be someone flying the flag stating the college market as a whole isn’t PC and restricts the free speech that is held so highly in the art form of stand-up comedy, YES.  Will Summit Comedy continue to work with colleges in bringing them exactly what each one specifically wants, YES.  Choose your comedy side, and if you want to see & hear great comedy with no content restrictions whatsoever, continue going to the comedy clubs – there you will see comedians working their craft to hopefully one day get booked at said PC campus comedy rooms.

For a list of many of the best available campus comedy comedians in the market, go here: www.summitcomedy.com/college-comedians

-Chuck Johnson; President   www.summitcomedy.com