Sara, I know we don't know each other, but I just wanted to say this resonated so much with me! And I have always admired your comedy and writing but also the way you think through these issues and navigate them. This was beautifully written. Thank you for writing it! Writing essays like this should count as heat! If I was friends with the captain's son, I would officially declare this to be heat
Thank you for saying all of the true things. We are on a much smaller boat and there are some really unfortunate captains at the helm. I hope we are all tossed a life raft at some point. Until then, we have to take care of ourselves. Thank you for sharing you live in Virginia now, I often think of leaving but don't know where to go. Thank you for your honesty.
FYI my assumption from afar was that you had heat, your posts were widely shared/appreciated, and your show about comedy was one to catch/ripe for the times. I hear you on this Hollywood stuff but it also feels easier than ever to make one's own way without relying on gatekeepers. Perhaps the message here is to find a path via YouTube, podcasts, Patreon, or some other 1,000 True Fans approach. Maybe one boat is getting smaller while another barge is pulling up to sail on with those who can pivot. (Writing this in part 'cuz I need to hear it myself.)
Creative bravery is the new “heat.” I hope you keep sharing your gifts in a way that feels right.
The boat was a blast. But everyone on that boat was an addict. It’s easier to see it from the shore. Let’s all build tiny sailboats that we think should float.
Sara! If you’ll recall the brief time we met, you’ll know I’m your biggest fan and supporter. I hear what you’re saying and I just want to say good for you!
I know it’s a weird business but I think one reason Hollywood (and wherever the entertainment biz is) is so wild is that it’s just a business like everything else, except the product is YOU. Everyone should have a little understanding of that now after all these years of social media but people like to shut that out of their minds.
And to that point, the world is fragmented now. I think that it’s possible that Taylor Swift will be the last BIG celeb of our time. There are so few people now that EVERYONE knows. So if you look at it as this small group and only a few “make it” of course even the most successful are always going to feel a desperation. But maybe don’t! Maybe the way to win at that is to do exactly what you’ve done.
You can be anywhere now. YouTube people are all over the place and then of course there are a bajillion platforms. In the past, when there were fewer choices, people had bigger fame but there were fewer of them. It was an all or nothing thing. It’s not now. It’s just as legit to live anywhere and do your thing. I miss the FUCK outta that podcast! And your book. FFS I brought a hardcover book with me to a comedy show to stalk you and get it signed lol.
You were the one who said “you’re gonna do it anyway.” So while I know you will create, I hope you will continue to write and create in whatever way feels good to you. You’re a good person. You have a following. Write. Podcast. Patreon. Start some kind of actual comedic cult or something. There are literally no limits. Almost no one is famous like we used to think of it, bc everything is so niche.
While we may have lost something culturally by splitting off into our individual interests, who really GAF?
I'm an outsider but I've heard quite a bit about the heaviness and uncertainty in your industry in the past year. Virginia sounds nice. You sound like someone who is peeking out after the tornado went through town - like that scene in Twister (the original) when they're strapped to the well. I hope you find all kinds of peace moving forward. Thanks for sharing this and teaching more about what's going on.
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind comments and support!!! I hear all this and it definitely inspires me to keep going on whatever path this is!! ❤️
Sometimes I get bummed that my family still live in a city I don’t like. LA has become so soul sucking & exhausting. I’m tired. I spend too much time staring at the ceiling, but then will get motivated to submit for on camera jobs or write my travel blog (even though some youtubers stole & sold my whole travel show idea years ago.) This business is an abusive relationship and I wish I could just quit it and really mean it.
I've never lived in LA but I did live in NY for a few decades and this resonates so much. I have friends who moved out to LA and the amount of hustling in exchange for a return that is miniscule and degrading is something to witness. I moved to NH a few years ago and found a creative community. I think you can do great work anywhere and in some ways there are fewer barriers because here aren't ten million people ahead of you in line and the audiences are hungry. But I get that one has to make a living. I hope this is a good move for you. I've always admired your work ethic and talent, and loved your wry, intelligent perspective so I hope to keep hearing your voice in some way, shape or form.
Sarah - to me you are far and away more original, a Bette writer and performer than 90% of the “famous” people in your field. It was hard enough to get good work through when executives were making the decisions - now that the algorithms are curating - our culture is going right in the toilet. Talent and standards hold quality creatives back. In every field.
Brava for your courage. Find your own measure of heat. Forget Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin. How many degrees Schaefer?
Most of the shows are garbage. Sorry to say that. I don't care for the characters or I don't care for what they want out of life—usually both. And, the dialogue sucks. I think it is a real reflection of those unfortunate souls who run the studios on behalf of BlackRock or whoever owns everything and the machinations required to stay within a game not worth playing (upon late reflection). SUCCESSION is right for this time where empty suits who only know money and power have taken over everything everywhere all at once.
Hello Sara! I love everything you do. You strike me as innately creative and thoughtful, which has always made it such a pleasure to enjoy your work. The rat race is insufferable and sucks all the joy out of making art. I’m glad you’re searching for your own version of living and I’m glad to have the privilege to witness what you share with us.
Sara, I know we don't know each other, but I just wanted to say this resonated so much with me! And I have always admired your comedy and writing but also the way you think through these issues and navigate them. This was beautifully written. Thank you for writing it! Writing essays like this should count as heat! If I was friends with the captain's son, I would officially declare this to be heat
HEAT!!! Thank you!!
Thank you for saying all of the true things. We are on a much smaller boat and there are some really unfortunate captains at the helm. I hope we are all tossed a life raft at some point. Until then, we have to take care of ourselves. Thank you for sharing you live in Virginia now, I often think of leaving but don't know where to go. Thank you for your honesty.
Thank you. 🙏🏻
FYI my assumption from afar was that you had heat, your posts were widely shared/appreciated, and your show about comedy was one to catch/ripe for the times. I hear you on this Hollywood stuff but it also feels easier than ever to make one's own way without relying on gatekeepers. Perhaps the message here is to find a path via YouTube, podcasts, Patreon, or some other 1,000 True Fans approach. Maybe one boat is getting smaller while another barge is pulling up to sail on with those who can pivot. (Writing this in part 'cuz I need to hear it myself.)
This is what I think! The world is just different now and that’s not entirely a bad thing.
You are so wonderful, will follow you/your work wherever you are- on the shore, the boat, Virginia, Burbank : )
🥹
Your work has always mattered to me.
Creative bravery is the new “heat.” I hope you keep sharing your gifts in a way that feels right.
The boat was a blast. But everyone on that boat was an addict. It’s easier to see it from the shore. Let’s all build tiny sailboats that we think should float.
What a beautiful thought ❤️
Sara! If you’ll recall the brief time we met, you’ll know I’m your biggest fan and supporter. I hear what you’re saying and I just want to say good for you!
I know it’s a weird business but I think one reason Hollywood (and wherever the entertainment biz is) is so wild is that it’s just a business like everything else, except the product is YOU. Everyone should have a little understanding of that now after all these years of social media but people like to shut that out of their minds.
And to that point, the world is fragmented now. I think that it’s possible that Taylor Swift will be the last BIG celeb of our time. There are so few people now that EVERYONE knows. So if you look at it as this small group and only a few “make it” of course even the most successful are always going to feel a desperation. But maybe don’t! Maybe the way to win at that is to do exactly what you’ve done.
You can be anywhere now. YouTube people are all over the place and then of course there are a bajillion platforms. In the past, when there were fewer choices, people had bigger fame but there were fewer of them. It was an all or nothing thing. It’s not now. It’s just as legit to live anywhere and do your thing. I miss the FUCK outta that podcast! And your book. FFS I brought a hardcover book with me to a comedy show to stalk you and get it signed lol.
You were the one who said “you’re gonna do it anyway.” So while I know you will create, I hope you will continue to write and create in whatever way feels good to you. You’re a good person. You have a following. Write. Podcast. Patreon. Start some kind of actual comedic cult or something. There are literally no limits. Almost no one is famous like we used to think of it, bc everything is so niche.
While we may have lost something culturally by splitting off into our individual interests, who really GAF?
I'm an outsider but I've heard quite a bit about the heaviness and uncertainty in your industry in the past year. Virginia sounds nice. You sound like someone who is peeking out after the tornado went through town - like that scene in Twister (the original) when they're strapped to the well. I hope you find all kinds of peace moving forward. Thanks for sharing this and teaching more about what's going on.
thanks for saying this and thank you for the (original) Twister visual!! xoxo
PS That was all just to say: You’re the best. For real! I would love to be able to write like you do. 💙
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind comments and support!!! I hear all this and it definitely inspires me to keep going on whatever path this is!! ❤️
Sometimes I get bummed that my family still live in a city I don’t like. LA has become so soul sucking & exhausting. I’m tired. I spend too much time staring at the ceiling, but then will get motivated to submit for on camera jobs or write my travel blog (even though some youtubers stole & sold my whole travel show idea years ago.) This business is an abusive relationship and I wish I could just quit it and really mean it.
Somehow it keeps dragging us back in, doesn’t it??
I've never lived in LA but I did live in NY for a few decades and this resonates so much. I have friends who moved out to LA and the amount of hustling in exchange for a return that is miniscule and degrading is something to witness. I moved to NH a few years ago and found a creative community. I think you can do great work anywhere and in some ways there are fewer barriers because here aren't ten million people ahead of you in line and the audiences are hungry. But I get that one has to make a living. I hope this is a good move for you. I've always admired your work ethic and talent, and loved your wry, intelligent perspective so I hope to keep hearing your voice in some way, shape or form.
🩵 ah this is so nice
Thanks for writing this, Sara. Let's me know I'm not alone.
Sarah - to me you are far and away more original, a Bette writer and performer than 90% of the “famous” people in your field. It was hard enough to get good work through when executives were making the decisions - now that the algorithms are curating - our culture is going right in the toilet. Talent and standards hold quality creatives back. In every field.
Brava for your courage. Find your own measure of heat. Forget Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin. How many degrees Schaefer?
Most of the shows are garbage. Sorry to say that. I don't care for the characters or I don't care for what they want out of life—usually both. And, the dialogue sucks. I think it is a real reflection of those unfortunate souls who run the studios on behalf of BlackRock or whoever owns everything and the machinations required to stay within a game not worth playing (upon late reflection). SUCCESSION is right for this time where empty suits who only know money and power have taken over everything everywhere all at once.
Hello Sara! I love everything you do. You strike me as innately creative and thoughtful, which has always made it such a pleasure to enjoy your work. The rat race is insufferable and sucks all the joy out of making art. I’m glad you’re searching for your own version of living and I’m glad to have the privilege to witness what you share with us.
I relate so much to this it hurt my heart to read. Thanks for writing it.