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Part 1: Ryan Davis on Backlash from Comedians After Being Picked in VladTV's "This or That"
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Comedian Ryan Davis recently shared his experience after Netflix passed on his stand-up special, which he shot in 2023. Despite having his special championed by Deon Cole, who even served as executive producer and personally pitched it, Netflix took months before ultimately declining. Davis expressed frustration not with the rejection itself but the lack of transparency and inconsistent reasoning, such as claims about his popularity level, despite his longstanding fanbase and millions of online views.
Netflix later invited Davis to participate in a comedy festival, but he felt they hadn’t truly engaged with his material. In response, Davis independently released the special on Patreon for as low as $5, garnering strong support and impressive numbers. Later, he collaborated with fellow comedian Ali Siddiq’s platform, where the special amassed over 4 million views—outperforming many recent Netflix specials.
Davis’s journey highlights the challenges comedians face navigating streaming platforms and the power of alternative distribution channels.
