Q: And HBO will let you do an online release of “Oh My God” later in the year?
A: Another reason I was willing to do it there was because I had told them I have to be able to sell it on my site. At first HBO was like, “We can’t do that.” And I said, “Well, let’s not do it then.” The power I had was to be able to keep saying: “I’ll do it myself. I do not need you.” They took a while on that one.
I think this doesn't get the press it should yet, but it will. When Louis C.K. discovered he didn't need the networks to distribute his comedy shows, and then proved it, it was like a tiny squirt of water starting to come out of the side of a dam.
No, but his experience was very influential with other comedians. When change comes, it often comes slowly. But when folks become mainstream with a different experience about how their "business" works, it forces the change more durably.
I'd argue that he has been influenced by others in the mainstream when it comes to producing his own videos / specials.
Jeff Dunham comes immediately to mind; IIRC, "Arguing With Myself" was done without the help of any network. I don't know if his later DVDs were done that way or not, but that was nearly a decade ago.
Either way, giving the finger to HBO, Comedy Central, and all the others is a good thing.
A: Another reason I was willing to do it there was because I had told them I have to be able to sell it on my site. At first HBO was like, “We can’t do that.” And I said, “Well, let’s not do it then.” The power I had was to be able to keep saying: “I’ll do it myself. I do not need you.” They took a while on that one.
I think this doesn't get the press it should yet, but it will. When Louis C.K. discovered he didn't need the networks to distribute his comedy shows, and then proved it, it was like a tiny squirt of water starting to come out of the side of a dam.