The Salaries of Funny People
I have the utmost respect for famous people who have no qualms about telling people how much they earn, which is why I found this piece in the Times about standup comedians and their salaries endlessly fascinating.
Eugene Mirman earns $200,000 a year! Most of his earnings come from headlining comedy shows, and voicing a character on a show called “Bob’s Burgers.” Contrasting that is Livia Scott who has a show at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York and earned about $3,200 from doing comedy. She makes up for that by earning $33,000 a year as a part-time receptionist at a law firm. There’s also a comedian named Buzz Sutherland who apparently makes $350,000 a year mostly through the college touring circuit. So obviously, the best way to make money as a comedian is to go to college(s). Wamp wamp.
Wow, the only woman in that article makes almost 25,000 less than the next lowest performer (a man).
…So obviously, the best way to make money as a comedian is
to go to college(s).be a man.mike can i just say that i think the set up and the punchline on this are both brilliant A plus plus plus work
It is amazing to me that Comedy Central can get away with paying comedians so little. Without knowing anything or ever thinking about it, I had always just assumed that getting on TV was enough to guarantee a lot of money.
Wowza, Eugene Mirman is cleaning up! And I am very thankful to him for putting on A+ comedy shows every week within walking distance of my apartment, for like $7.
@werewolfbarmitzvah (Also, Bob’s Burgers is hilarious and everybody should watch it.)