How Dropout Cracked Internet Comedy

How Dropout Cracked Internet Comedy

From Galaxy Brain by The Atlantic

May 22, 2026 · 42 min · Episode 29

About this episode

Charlie Warzel interviews Sam Reich about building Dropout, a comedy streaming platform, and the evolution of online comedy.

How do you build a streaming service from scratch? On this week’s “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel speaks with Sam Reich, the CEO of Dropout, a comedy streaming platform that’s found success eschewing the growth-at-all-costs model of the mega streamers. The two discuss the pre-YouTube days of online video and how Reich acquired Dropout, formerly known as the internet site CollegeHumor, for $0. They talk about how comedy has evolved online, how to build a cinematic universe of content, and whether Reich sees Dropout as a feeder for places like “Saturday Night Live.” Reich shares his philosophies on how to make things that people love and why he steers away from the venture-capital and big-media playbooks. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Charlie Warzel

Guest: Sam Reich

Topics covered

  • streaming service
  • internet comedy
  • online video
  • content creation
  • comedy evolution

Keywords

  • Dropout
  • Sam Reich
  • internet comedy
  • streaming service
  • CollegeHumor
  • content creation
  • Saturday Night Live

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dropout, CollegeHumor, Saturday Night Live, The Atlantic

More episodes of Galaxy Brain

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Galaxy Brain podcast page.