Navigating the Comedy World: How One Group Made Their Mark

The comedy scene in Hollywood is tough right now. It's not just about making new friends, but about creating opportunities. Many traditional paths for comedians are disappearing. TV roles are fewer, late-night shows are less popular, and places that used to help new comedians grow are struggling. Social media is crowded. Everyone is trying to stand out, but it's hard. Carly Hoogendyk, a manager from Omnipop Talent Group West, knows this well. She says comedians need to be proactive. They can't wait for someone else to help them. They have to build their own connections and opportunities. Business Casual, a comedy group, shows how this can be done. They started at UCLA and have been working together ever since. Their journey wasn't easy, but they made it work. They met Hoogendyk at a comedy festival. She liked their work and wanted to help them. Hoogendyk signed them after a last-minute show for Netflix Is a Joke. Since then, they've been working together to create opportunities. They've done commercials, TV shows, and even a podcast. Their show "Cowboys" started as a digital sketch and grew into a full performance. Business Casual is also working on other projects. They're developing a sports comedy called "Battlebots" and a pilot called "All Star Gas. " Their podcast, "The Business Casual Show, " helps them connect with more people online. Hoogendyk believes this is a big step for their careers. In a recent podcast, Business Casual talked about their journey. They discussed the importance of being relentless and embracing the "sh*t factor. " This means working with what you have instead of waiting for perfect conditions. They also talked about their artistic goals and how they see the comedy world today. Hoogendyk shared her thoughts on discovering new talent. She writes a newsletter called "State of Comedy" and curates a showcase at the New York Comedy Festival. These projects help her find and support new comedians.