H3 Podcast #73 - Bo Burnham

TL;DR

Bo Burnham explains that he shifted from posting YouTube videos toward live performance because holding material back made hearing it for the first time in a room more exciting. On H3 Podcast #73, he also discusses his Netflix specials What. and Make Happy, his film Eighth Grade, and his habit of searching YouTube by upload date for overlooked creators. Read on for his candid perspective on creating beyond YouTube.

Transcript

welcome one and all to the h3 podcast experience we're trying to compete with Joe Rogan over here hell yeah my theory is that a podcast can never compete with an experience he's got an experience right so I'm trying to even the playing field a little bit you needed sea weed pills or something yes I need some kind of supplement experience supplement... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 YouTube has shifted from a platform for creative expression to a more formulaic and monetized environment.
• 🤵 The trending page on YouTube is often dominated by mainstream media and movie trailers, leaving little room for up-and-coming creators.
• 👻 Authenticity is a valuable trait in online content, allowing creators to connect with audiences and stand out from the crowd.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Bo Burnham move from YouTube videos to live performance?

Burnham says he always wanted to perform onstage, even while posting his early videos. He found that material felt more exciting when an audience heard it for the first time in the room instead of seeing it online beforehand.

Q: Does Bo Burnham consider leaving YouTube a form of escape?

He describes moving on from regular YouTube posting as an escape in the sense that it freed him creatively. His comedy involves a coordinated stage show, lighting, and an appearance prepared over roughly a year, which he says may not be fully compatible with YouTube.

Q: Which Bo Burnham comedy specials are discussed on H3 Podcast #73?

The hosts identify What. and Make Happy as two of their favorite Bo Burnham works. They say Make Happy is on Netflix and note that What. was available on YouTube and had returned to Netflix.

Q: What film had Bo Burnham written and directed when he appeared on H3 Podcast #73?

Burnham had written and directed Eighth Grade. The hosts describe it as a specific narrative about a 13-year-old girl and call the film a surprising departure for some of his fans.

Q: What release information is given for Eighth Grade in the episode?

The discussion says Eighth Grade was opening in limited release in New York and Los Angeles that day. A nationwide release was expected two weeks later.

Q: What Rotten Tomatoes score for Eighth Grade is mentioned in the podcast?

The host initially says Eighth Grade had a 98 percent Rotten Tomatoes score. During the conversation, that figure is updated to 99 percent.

Q: Does Bo Burnham still watch YouTube even though he posts less often?

Yes. Burnham says he has not been posting much but watches YouTube all the time, describing his primary relationship with the internet as that of a viewer.

Q: How does Bo Burnham discover overlooked YouTube creators?

Burnham says he likes people on the internet whom almost no one is watching. He searches for a subject and sorts the results by upload date, which leads him into deep dives such as videos by a hoarder cooking sausages and peaches over candles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bo Burnham reflects on his own experiences on YouTube and the shift towards a more formulaic and monetized platform.

• He highlights the decline of viral videos and the dominance of movie trailers and TV show clips on the trending page.

• Burnham emphasizes the need for creativity and authenticity on YouTube, pointing out the value of smaller channels and unique content.