WitStream: making Twitter bearable for comedy fans and writers alike

[isoS]

Although discussing the merits and shortcomings of Twitter has become as played out as Korean yogurt, there's no denying that the site (dare I say medium?) is perfectly suited for short-form joke writers. The problem is two-fold: if you're a comic, how do you get your jokes out to an appreciative audience on Twitter without whoring yourself for followers, and if you're a comedy fan, how do you find the funny amidst so much digital noise?

Seeking to kill two tweety birds with one stone is WitStream, a "curated" Twitter focused on delivering only the funniest tweets to their audience by hand-picking their contributors. Started by TV producer Lisa Cohen and actor/comedian Michael Ian Black (a giant in the world of Twitter with over 1.3 million followers), the site boasts AST-affiliated twitsters like Scott Aukerman, Doug Benson, Matt Braunger, Josh Fadem and (jumping ahead in the alphabet) Paul F. Tompkins. Why not just selectively follow the comics you like, you ask? Well, for one thing, WitStream is bound to expose you to comics you don't already know, but also, it's the quickest, easiest way to find funny on Twitter without having to wade through friend, family and random guilty pleasure celeb tweets to get there. And for comics who are nauseated by the thought of jumping in the huge, un-chlorinated pool of Twitter, maybe this is just the proverbial pee-proof wetsuit they're looking for. The result, if everything goes according to plan, is a content-rich comedy site with some of the best humorists in the business providing the material. Could be pretty cool.

http://www.witstream.com

[funnyclown]

"Bearable" is a real stretch. I don't see how something like this could possibly work without a dedicated, full-time editor. I read a full page and smiled once, maybe twice. Just because some people are funny doesn't mean every half-thought they have is worth reading. And who determines who makes the cut to have his or her tweets included? I bet lots of these people are in it because they're friends with TV producer Lisa Cohen and actor/comedian/Twitter giant Michael Ian Black. Either way, this site sucks and I hate it, and I hate TV producer Lisa Cohen and actor/comedian Michael Ian Black for creating it. Fuck you.

[crlygrl]

Originally Posted by funnyclown

And who determines who makes the cut to have his or her tweets included? I bet lots of these people are in it because they're friends with TV producer Lisa Cohen and actor/comedian/Twitter giant Michael Ian Black.

Blow jobs. Blow jobs make the decisions on who gets to be on the site. Just like in life, it's the BJs that are in charge.

[Itslikeimsayin]

Is there a way to access it other than visiting Witstream.com? They need a Witstream account on Twitter so it's not a separate thing I need to go visit. I am excited that Matt Price is a Witstream contributor, though.

[fademinsunglasses]

I love posting on witstream. It's new, funnyclown, just give it a chance to grow before you spray the H word everywhere. Maybe you're just grouchy today and that's why you didn't smile.

[Rob Delaney]

Sure I use Twitter, but if Josh Fadem's not on Twitter, and IS on WitStream, then I will go to WitStream, because he's the best. Anybody who has a problem with that can eat my fuck hole. Since it's Halloween, here's a spooky Fadem classic that I love more than a reuben made by a rabbi:

Visions of Terror - watch more funny videos

[funnyclown]

Originally Posted by fademinsunglasses

I love posting on witstream. It's new, funnyclown, just give it a chance to grow before you spray the H word everywhere. Maybe you're just grouchy today and that's why you didn't smile.

There were a couple funny lines--and maybe I came at a bad time--but there was a lot more that, if I read or heard them in a legitimate context, I would have thought were lazy and uninspired, or worse. I feel like there's enough good stuff out there in the real world to have the time to wade through people's half-assed Twitter-grade material.

I totally understand why people love posting on it, but I have my suspicions about whether anyone actually enjoys reading it. I really am careful about throwing around the 'H' word, but I think twitter is probably the most insidious form of communication to come along since MTV, and is a huge leap forward in turning our brains into jelly. The world's fucking falling apart, we need everybody to be at their best, and everybody's too busy worrying about how much attention they can get. How is all that validation gonna help you when our cities are in ruins and we're fighting each other over rat meat? So, yes, hate.

[funnyclown]

Originally Posted by Rob Delaney

Sure I use Twitter, but if Josh Fadem's not on Twitter, and IS on WitStream, then I will go to WitStream, because he's the best. Anybody who has a problem with that can eat my fuck hole. Since it's Halloween, here's a spooky Fadem classic that I love more than a reuben made by a rabbi:

I will concede that if Witstream were that video, I would love witstream.

[Hated Milk Machine]

Originally Posted by funnyclown

I totally understand why people love posting on it, but I have my suspicions about whether anyone actually enjoys reading it. I really am careful about throwing around the 'H' word, but I think twitter is probably the most insidious form of communication to come along since MTV, and is a huge leap forward in turning our brains into jelly. The world's fucking falling apart, we need everybody to be at their best, and everybody's too busy worrying about how much attention they can get. How is all that validation gonna help you when our cities are in ruins and we're fighting each other over rat meat? So, yes, hate.

hey guys lets file this under #shittyposts

[crlygrl]

A rabbi wouldn't make a Ruben. It's not kosha!

[DanWilbur]

There's a live WitStream show at Comix with Michael Ian Black in the flesh! So, if you're hating on Twitter, you can see these comics in real real time.

http://www.comixny.com/event.aspx?eid=644&sid=2283

[scamboogah]

Lighten up, dude.

Or at least change your username to 'Angry non-clown'

[denverjsmith]

totally, Bro!

[funnyclown]

Originally Posted by Hated Milk Machine

hey guys lets file this under #shittyposts

And you can file this up #yourmom'sass.

[Jixby Phillips]

FUNNYCLOWN YOU ARE A CUNTHOLE

STOP BEING SUCH A CUNTHOLE YOU CUNTHOLE

FUCK YOU, I MEAN THIS

[funnyclown]

Originally Posted by Jixby Phillips

FUNNYCLOWN YOU ARE A CUNTHOLE

STOP BEING SUCH A CUNTHOLE YOU CUNTHOLE

FUCK YOU, I MEAN THIS

Okay, that's it. I'm going out into the street and hitting the first person I see. If you have any guts, it will be you.

[pixel revolt]

Is this the point where we all point out we were only joking and we become friends?

[dan telfer]

Hm.

[funnyclown]

I did go outside, but I didn't hit anyone. I love everybody. I cannot speak for anyone else. Sorry if I hurt your feelings, WitStream.

[Me!]

This sucks.