Julian Shapiro-Barnum has launched an online-only late-night show. Known for his social media series ‘Recess Therapy,’ he now hosts ‘Outside Tonight.’ This was filmed in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn.
The program mimics traditional late-night TV elements like a desk, band, monologues, interviews, musical guests, sketches, and games. However, the similarities mostly end there.
Unlike conventional shows, ‘Outside Tonight’ is available on YouTube. It is not on broadcast networks or subscription services like Netflix. Shapiro-Barnum, a digital native, gained fame from the internet rather than traditional TV shows like ‘Saturday Night Live’ or ‘The Daily Show.’
The show runs on a small budget, far less than the typical $100 million of network late-night shows. It is independently financed without backing from a large media company.
Filming takes place outdoors, aligning with its title. New episodes are released weekly. Shapiro-Barnum believes this fresh approach can rejuvenate the late-night genre.
‘Outside Tonight’ comes as late-night TV faces challenges. Ratings and ad revenue have dropped. The number of shows on broadcast, cable, and streaming has also declined.
Recently, CBS canceled ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ due to $40 million in financial losses. ABC may exit the late-night arena when Jimmy Kimmel retires, a topic Kimmel has contemplated for years.
In his show’s first episode, Shapiro-Barnum addressed his ambitions with humor. ‘Is it cocky to say that ‘Outside Tonight’ is saving late night?’ he asked. ‘Definitely. Is it true? I don’t know. But I know for sure it is fun to say.’
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