Veteran comedian and actor Kevin Nealon, renowned for his nine-year stint on "Saturday Night Live," recently shared his insights on the changing landscape of comedy with Fox News Digital. He reflected on the impact of social media, evolving audience habits, and the shift in comedic styles.

Nealon observed a significant decrease in audience attention spans compared to the early days of his career. He attributes this shift to the prevalence of short-form content on platforms like YouTube, where viewers often consume "SNL" sketches in snippets rather than watching full episodes. This bite-sized content consumption, fueled by social media, has conditioned audiences to expect quick, easily digestible material.

While acknowledging the impact of social media on attention spans, Nealon also recognized its role in providing unprecedented opportunities for emerging comedians. He noted that social media platforms allow comedians to reach vast audiences and build a following, leading to sold-out arenas – a feat nearly impossible to achieve in the pre-internet era. This accessibility has contributed to a surge in both the number of comedians and comedy consumers.

However, Nealon expressed concerns about the quality of comedy in this new landscape. He believes that the emphasis on short, viral clips has led to a decline in well-crafted jokes, with many comedians prioritizing venting and attitude over traditional setups and punchlines. He also discussed the rising trend of "crowd work," where comedians interact with the audience to generate spontaneous humor. While acknowledging its effectiveness in creating shareable moments for social media, Nealon highlighted the power of spontaneity and in-the-moment humor in his own stand-up routines.

Finally, Nealon emphasized the subjective nature of humor, noting that commercial success doesn't necessarily equate to universal appeal. He recounted being asked about the consistent funniness of a particular comedian and admitted that while the comedian sold out shows, he personally didn't find them funny. This anecdote underscored Nealon's point that humor is relative and what resonates with one person may not resonate with another.