If you’re not familiar with Jim Gaffigan, you should be. He’s one of the funniest comics standing and he’s a kind, gentle soul with a mid-westerner’s sensibility and a hilarious bit about Hot Pockets. Like Louis CK before him, Gaffigan just announced that he’s filming a comedy special in DC next month and will make it available for a $5 download – with one dollar going to The Bob Woodruff Foundation, an association to help wounded veterans and their families.
Gaffigan weighed a number of options before going with a direct download model. He writes:
With more creators going this route, he said, it seems like the pay-per-download model could start changing the traditional distribution of comedy. Louis CK’s effort brought him $500,000 and there’s no reason the brightly charming Gaffigan can’t make at least that.
He’ll be announcing upcoming shows on Twitter (his favorite social network) and the special, called Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe, should be available in April. Until then, check out my interview with him and enjoy some cake.