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Why Scott Blanks refuses to meet diversity quotas at The Classic comedy club in Auckland.

January 25, 2025 / 00:49

This episode discusses diversity in comedy lineups, featuring the importance of merit over quotas. The conversation emphasizes that comedians should be included based on their talent, not their gender or background.

The guest highlights the need for audiences to recognize that shows should prioritize quality. They argue that being on a lineup due to diversity quotas undermines the talent of female and diverse comedians.

By focusing on the quality of performances, the guest believes that the comedy industry can shift perceptions and create a more inclusive environment without compromising standards.

TL;DR

Diversity in comedy should focus on talent, not quotas.

Video

00:00:00
my goal is that I don't want to be seen
00:00:02
doing what I call positive um diversity
00:00:04
programming which is I don't put a
00:00:06
female comedian on a lineup because oh
00:00:09
gosh we've got to have a female comedian
00:00:10
on the lineup or we have to have someone
00:00:12
who's diverse in any way persons of
00:00:14
color neurodiverse I want every one of
00:00:17
them to be on the lineup because they
00:00:19
deserve to be there CU they're funny
00:00:20
enough to be there it's not a very
00:00:22
powerful thing for a female comedian if
00:00:24
for some reason they think they're on
00:00:25
the lineup because they're female that's
00:00:27
not a strong position to be coming from
00:00:29
every one of wants to go the reason I'm
00:00:31
on the show is cuz I'm as funny as
00:00:33
everyone else on the show that is really
00:00:35
important that myself and the industry
00:00:37
working along those lines so that the
00:00:39
audiences have been told no this is not
00:00:41
a show about quota this is a show about
00:00:43
quality and everyone on this lineup is
00:00:45
quality

Episode Highlights

  • Diversity in Comedy
    The speaker emphasizes the importance of genuine talent over quotas in comedy lineups.
    “This is not a show about quota; this is a show about quality.”
    @ 00m 41s
    January 25, 2025

Episode Quotes

Key Moments

  • Diversity Goals00:02
  • Empowerment in Comedy00:19
  • Quality Over Quotas00:41

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