John Mulaney and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'

I believe there's always been a stigma around comedians, stand-up comedians especially. There was the trope of a middle-aged man, the nerdy or balding sort with crass jokes and insults.

And that personality just doesn't fit new, younger audiences; it doesn't fit Gen-Z or millennial teenagers and adults. Comedians were often sexist, many jokes were racist, and overall, bigoted and outdated. It's not that all comedians are like this, but that was the standard, it's what was popular, and it was the kind of shows that sold.

That was the trope when someone mentioned comedians. Either an abrasive older guy with sellout shows based on being loud and shocking rather than funny or a nerdy unsuccessful comedian still living with his parents. It wasn’t a respected career.

But in the past year, comedy has fresh faces and a brand new style. John Mulaney's performances available on Netflix, The Comeback Kid and New in Town have become much more popular. He was also involved in the Netlflix show Bigmouth and Kid Gorgeous has been added to his recorded shows. The charm in his shows is his storytelling, it's individualistic and well-done. He's engaging and you find yourself wanting more when the show is over. And Mulaney isn't the only comedian with this new style, Hannah Gadsby and many others have become wildly popular for their refreshing comedy.

Stand-up comedians have even found a way of pointing out how bad this older type of comedian is. John Mulaney doesn’t shy away from saying that the apathetic comedian who hates his wife and ball-and-chain marriage isn’t likable and shouldn’t be the standard. One of the things that makes Mulaney so likable is how frequently he talks about, praises, and defends his wife in his complete love and affection for her.

Representing genuine relationships is much more compelling to younger audiences. We’d rather hear about their quirky conversations, how they feel pushed to have a kid, but are perfectly happy with just their dog with the oldest soul in the world. Not only are these jokes more enjoyable because they’re not sexist and demean marriage as an idea and institution, but they’re relatable to anyone of the same age.

These jokes connect with anyone because it’s become more than storytelling, but a connection to the ridiculousness of everything.

Comedians reflect this change on the whole very clearly, but it’s beyond that. Media is changing, too; new outlets are now reflecting new tastes.

Sitcoms were the same as stale tropes and humor didn't fit new audiences. Shows featuring the Sexist Dad, World-Weary Stay-at-Home Mom, and their kids Boy-Crazy Teen Girl and Nerdy Younger Brother are outdated. Recycled plots and jokes weren’t doing it anymore, and the same was true with cop and crime shows. Everything felt the same. But now, we have Brooklyn Nine-Nine, among other shows, that provide diversity and real-world issues mixed in with comedy and lighthearted fun.

The Good Place does the same, providing interesting commentary on ethics and social constructs in this fresh version of a sitcom. When things are racist, it’s made explicit. Sexuality of characters isn’t a huge deal, it’s just a fact of things. Things happen organically which matters much more to representation that tokenism.

The growth of Netflix as a production company has allowed for a whole range of issues and representation to be explored. The new show Sex Education explores this, providing diversity and humor that connects with a younger audience.

At the same time, none of these shows are slacking in creativity or entertainment. They’re doing the opposite, providing new stories and fresh takes in a way that’s more engaging. No longer is entertainment compromised by humor that may not be appropriate or jokes that push the limits of comfort.

Viewers actually connect with these shows and these characters on a deeper level than other generic plots. The show is driven not just by story, but by a genuine love for everyone involved.

Comedy and media are changing. Instead of basing jokes around exclusion, humor is adapting and becoming universalized.