An article on msnbc.com is entitled “Standup comedy takes seat in front of computer.” The subtitle of the story is “Viral humor spreads faster than you can say Numa Numa, but is it good?”

It seeks (or rather, its author, Michael Ventre seeks) to answer the question, “Is the internet a good thing for comedy and is comedy a good thing for the internet?” At least that’s our take. It seems that standup figures too promintently in the article.

It doesn’t exactly get off to a good start:

Dying is easy, comedy is hard, goes the old saw. But dying while doing comedy on the Internet is infinitely easier than doing it in front of a nightclub full of liquored-up revelers.

It’s hard to tell exactly what questions were put to the interviewees Albert Brooks, Kevin Pollak, Craig Ferguson and others. (Actually, the questions– and answers– are taken from an article in the abovementioned RS issue!)

Ventre further outlines his premise:

Sometimes the comedy comes in the form of rehearsed sketches, sometimes it’s a standup routine, sometimes it’s an improvised skit. They have all found their places amid the reality-based clips of skateboarding squirrels and rapping toddlers.

But is this comic migration having an adverse effect on the comedy itself?

We’re puzzled as to why standup is even included in this discussion.

Pollak says:

“I can’t imagine developing a point of view by just submitting work on the Internet and checking blogs.

“But it’s happening and it’s a new generation.”

Is anyone seriously trying to become a comedian by “submitting work on the Internet and checking blogs?” We’re skeptical.

Sam Reich, director of content for CollegeHumor.com seems to have a handle on things.

Online audiences’ tastes haven’t evolved much from the era of bears dancing on trampolines,” he said. “We still want to see something visually exciting, and standup isn’t that.

“Secondly, standup isn’t one joke, it’s a collection of jokes, which means I’m less likely to forward it to a friend for a specific reason, and therefore it’s less likely to go viral.

We know of no one who posts parts of his act online hoping to become The Next Big Thing– in the virtual world or the real world. Posting portions of one’s act online is, however, good for driving people to live shows or demonstrating competency in hopes of getting bookings (essentially replacing the ol’ VHS tape or the DVD in the mail). Sketch comedy, short films, etc. are a different ballgame.

Earlier in the article is an Albert Brooks quote the recent Rolling Stone comedy issue.

I think the Internet is slowly going to take down all creativity,” he told the magazine. “You can take any artist in the history of the world… and if you can have widespread opinion on their first time out, you can kill the great spark that makes them who they are… Large amounts of opinion early in an artist’s life is like a cancer.”

There’s a solution to that, Albert– Disable the comments!