Netflix has, over the years, become one of the largest producers of the 21st century. The streaming giant not only produces originals and other great content also finds shelter in the streaming service. However, they are expanding their field and investing in multiple things. And this expansion is not new. It was way back in 2020 that Netflix announced an ambitious project called Netflix is a Joke Festival. However, due to covid, the project, like many others, got delayed.

However, Netflix never sleeps. They took the opportunity of this unforeseeable delay to grow their project substantially. What started as a small project is now the event of the year. But grand events like these don’t take shape in a day or two. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. So what were the inspiration and planning behind the festival?

Let us find out what Robbie Praw, Netflix’s VP of standup and comedy formats, had to say.

How was Netflix is a Joke Festival formed?

When the Netflix is a Joke event was initially announced in March 2020, it was considerably smaller in scale and breadth — and then came the pandemic. But according to Praw, the delay was a blessing in disguise as it helped the project reach unimaginable heights.

Robbie says that the real idea behind the show from its inception was “celebrating stand-up and comedy took on a whole new meaning.”

It all started with a basic concept at Netflix: George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams are honored at “The Hall,” a comedic hall of fame. Praw, on the other hand, started dreaming large.

“When we started talking it through, it made sense to build a whole celebration of comedy around ‘The Hall,’” adds Praw.

That’s when Praw, Pakosta, and others turned the “Netflix Is a Joke” brand into a huge event, which began as a marketing tagline on billboards roughly six years ago and then became a social channel.

What do you think about Netflix Is A Joke: The Festival turning from a mere celebration of comedy to much more? Did you attend its many shows? Comment down below.