This evening, Netflix unfurls the third edition of Netflix Is a Joke Fest, its sprawling, citywide comedy showcase that in just four years has become one of the buzziest gatherings of comedians in the world. While this year's edition has been condensed from 11 days to a more focused, seven-day run, the scale remains formidable, with more than 500 comics and 475+ shows set at venues all across Los Angeles, as part of this celebration of comedy in its many forms. From the perspective of Tracey Pakosta and Robbie Praw, who oversee Netflix's efforts in comedy, the shift is about recalibrating from a level of scale that felt "unnecessary." This year, the festival leans into growth areas in comedy like live podcasting, while emphasizing cross-pollination between stand-up, film and television, and more. A week out from the festival, Pakosta and Praw told Deadline about the "summer camp" vibe they're going for this year, programming strategy, the place of Netflix in today's comedy ecosystem, and more. >>> More |