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Comedy’s Benevolent Gatekeeper


Since 2022, Don’t Tell Comedy has launched dozens of comedians’ careers with its popular YouTube channel. How did it get here?

Lea’h Sampson was on the verge of quitting comedy when Don’t Tell posted her set in August 2023; by the end of the year, she opened for Bill Burr at Madison Square Garden. He’d also drawn inspiration from Sofar Sounds, which built a global business around secret pop-up concerts where audiences buy tickets in blind faith, then find out the venue and lineup the day of the show. But selling tickets to comedy shows in backyards and thrift stores, especially outside of big cities, is a difficult task, which is why the contractors who work with Don’t Tell say they’re happy with the arrangement.

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