In the ever-evolving landscape of late-night television, a new player has emerged, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to the genre. Julian Shapiro-Barnum, the creator of the viral digital series "Recess Therapy" and "Celebrity Substitute," has ventured into the world of late-night hosting with his new YouTube show, "Outside Tonight." This article delves into Shapiro-Barnum's journey, exploring the inspiration behind his latest endeavor and the unique vision that sets "Outside Tonight" apart in a crowded media landscape.
A Late-Night Revolution
Shapiro-Barnum's decision to enter the late-night arena was not a mere coincidence. The pandemic served as a catalyst for his creativity, prompting him to embark on a personal project with his father and friend. This initial endeavor, a late-night show filmed on the streets, laid the foundation for his future endeavors. The concept of bringing entertainment to the public, democratizing it, and connecting with people on a personal level was a driving force behind his vision.
"The project that I decided to do to get me through COVID was to put on a late night show with my dad and my friend," Shapiro-Barnum reflects. "Later that summer, I wanted to do something else, and I just, on a whim, brought a card table and some chairs to a street corner one night, and interviewed people on the street, and then enlisted a bunch of my friends. For the rest of the summer, we did this on-the-street late-night show. We'd have bands come by, and we just like to do interviews outside at night."
The success of "Recess Therapy" further fueled Shapiro-Barnum's passion for connecting with the public. The viral "Corn Kid" video, which showcased his unique style of interviewing kids on the streets of New York, became a cornerstone of his online presence. This experience, combined with his work on "Celebrity Substitute," shaped his approach to "Outside Tonight."
Boston's Influence
Shapiro-Barnum's time at Boston University's School of Theater played a pivotal role in his development as a creator. The fast-paced environment, where he was constantly putting on shows, instilled in him a sense of urgency and creativity. During his senior year, COVID-19 hit, and Allston became his playground. He and his roommates would roam the streets, interviewing people about various topics, from Teletubbies to Shakespeare recitations.
"Being at BU at the School of Theater was a real crash course," he recalls. "We were just putting on a million shows all the time. But definitely, my senior year during COVID, Allston was very much my playground. Most of it is still up if you scroll back far enough on my Instagram or look at my personal YouTube. Almost every week, I was walking around Allston interviewing people about really insane stuff."
The freedom and openness of Boston's neighborhoods, where he felt like the only guy doing street interviews, inspired him to bring this unique style to a larger audience.
Transitioning to Late Night
Shapiro-Barnum's work with kids in "Recess Therapy" and "Celebrity Substitute" presented a challenge when transitioning to a late-night show. He had to strike a balance between his kid-oriented public persona and his role as a working comedian. The key, he believes, is to bring openness and kindness to every interview, regardless of the audience.
"It was an interesting experience because my entire public persona was so kid-oriented and kid-friendly, but I am a working comedian and perform and do comedy shows," he explains. "I needed to rebrand a little bit, or show the public this other side of myself, which is not too different. I try to bring openness and kindness to any interview I do. I feel like my kid interviews and my adult interviews have the same DNA. I just might curse with the adults, and I would never do that with the kids."
A Fresh Take on Late Night
"Outside Tonight" is a bold move in a late-night landscape facing declining viewership. Shapiro-Barnum's approach is to bring the energy and innovation of short-form internet content to the traditional late-night format. By incorporating games, unique interview styles, and a diverse range of musical guests and comedians, he aims to create a show that resonates with a younger audience.
"The whole thought process behind it was we wanted to take everything that we saw that was working in short form on the internet and implement it within the context of a late-night show," he says. "From the games, the style of interviews, the types of musical guests, the types of comedians we had on, it's like, no, we're not targeting an audience or anything. I don't think like that. As a young person and the team being a young team, we just made things that we would want to watch and see. The hope is that the show resonates with our peers."
The Future of Late Night
Shapiro-Barnum's vision for "Outside Tonight" extends beyond the current season. He believes that late night should be owned by its hosts, allowing for a more authentic and creative expression. In a time when late-night shows are often driven by social and news commentary, he aims to bring back the lighthearted and entertaining nature of the genre's roots.
"I think what modern late night has become is like social commentary and news commentary packaged in a comedic way, and I think that’s really necessary and needed," he notes. "I think what we were doing was maybe trying to bring back the late night of yore, which was really like the Arsenio Hall, like the early Conan [O'Brien], the [Jay] Leno, the ‘come on and have a good time energy.’"
As "Outside Tonight" continues to evolve, Shapiro-Barnum's passion for connecting with the public and bringing entertainment to the streets remains unwavering. The show's success will depend on its ability to capture the hearts and minds of a new generation, proving that late night can still be a powerful platform for creativity and connection.
