In 1982, a 20-year-old Eddie Murphy made his late-night comedy debut on The Tonight Show. During his six-minute stand-up performance or “set”, Murphy’s confidence, charm, and material were a smash hit with the live studio audience.
Immediately after he finished, The Tonight Show host, Johnny Carson, invited Murphy to have a seat on the couch next to the other guests who were on the show that night. Soon after that performance, Murphy became a household name, starring in films such as 48 Hours and Trading Places.
Carson saw many relatively unknown comedians blossom into stars during his 30-year tenure. Jerry Seinfeld, Byron Allen, Jim Carrey, and Ellen DeGeneres are a handful of comics who also made their late-night debuts on his show. To say Carson “made” these comics may be a slight exaggeration, but his show definitely helped them reach a different level of mainstream access with the millions of viewers that tuned in nightly.
The invitation to the couch, for many up-and-coming comedians, became an unofficial admission ticket into the world of Hollywood. Fast forward to today, and the rules of comedic engagement are a bit different. Between social media, numerous streaming services, and too many podcasts to count, those late-night talk show views have diminished over the years.
As great as it may be to do a late-night comedy set on a show, the idea of becoming a star from that appearance is much less likely to happen. Despite these changes, comedians are still getting their share of acting roles, comedy specials, and endorsements.
They are just moving differently.
EBONY sat down with three comics who are successfully navigating this new comedic digital space and making names for themselves in the process.
Kevin Fredericks, known to the comedy world as KevOnStage, is a jack of all things content-related. He has built his own production studio, KevOnStage Studios, that has produced hit shows like Churchy on BET+ and Safe Space on Tubi.
Daphnique Springs is an actress, comedian, and writer known for her unique online content about dating/relationships as well as her comedic wit on stage.
Mojo Brookzz is a national touring comedian currently on the “We Them Ones Tour” and a viral content creator who has worked with everyone from Nick Cannon to the Chicago Bears.
EBONY: How do you feel about the role of social media as it relates to the current state of stand up in 2026?
KevOnStage: I feel like today social media is as important to a comedian as Comic View, Def Jam, The Tonight Show, and Letterman were to comedians in the 80s and 90s. You used to go and be so funny at your audition, and make it, and people saw you on TV. Then they would pay to see you in real life, like (Jerry) Seinfeld. But nowadays you gotta be funny on stage and create your own buzz enough on social media to get people to come see. I’ve never performed stand-up on TV. I don’t have a stand special, and I tour and sell out all over the nation, and so do many other comedians.
Daphnique Springs: I feel like it’s necessary right now for comedians’ careers. Back in the day, a comedian told me they used to send VHS tapes into the comedy clubs to get booked. You have to move with the times. The reality is that at the end of the day, social media isn’t going anywhere, and no one is coming to save you.
Mojo Brookzz: It’s not like the old days where you were looking to be discovered. And to be discovered, you had to be in the rooms of places where people are looking. With social media coming into play, you can get discovered right from where you’re at. You don’t have to move to L.A. or New York just to go room to room, hoping that somebody sees you and wants to put you on. It ain’t happening like that no more. But on the other hand, you have the power to make your own way.
What advice do you have for any up and coming comedians starting out?
KevOnStage: Get on stage as much as you possibly can. Work as much as you possibly can. Get good at stand up. Now it’s like, “Oh. I want my clip to go viral.” That’s cool, but make sure that when people come to see you off your “virality”, they’re not disappointed.
Daphnique Springs: I would just say, “be you” and hope that you catch on instead of trying to copy other people’s careers. Also, be good at the craft. Don’t focus on being famous. Have a talent so strong that it brings you to new heights and limits. When you go into something for fame that’s a vain way of doing it, in my opinion.
MOJO BROOOKZ: Make sure the consistency is there. For example, I encourage anybody as a comedian to use social media as a weapon to rocket yourself to the next level. You’ll see a dude post three to four videos. They don’t go viral or do what he wants them to do. Now he don’t post nothing for three, four months. But the minute you get one that pops, you want to come back. You have to go with the wave— the peaks and valleys that come with it. If you quit today, that video that could’ve taken you from here to there…you didn’t even give yourself a chance. People are afraid of failure, and you can’t be.