Poaching nothing

The Times ran a story today about YouTube's competitors poaching "talent" such as LonelyGirl15. This is the content equivalent of chasing gains. Very few of the people who have become popular on YouTube will have the ability to create sustainable entertainment.

We have discussed on this blog the struggle that comics go through to stay fresh. It ain't easy. The best do it by having ensembles and limiting exposure: John Stewart has recently cut down on the amount of comedy he has to do each night by becoming America's most earnest book review show. Which is fabulous, by the way, a frickin coup.

But these YouTubers will, by and large, crash and burn, not because they're not talented, but because they're gimmicks. And comedy is hard work.