Comedian Ari Shaffir Wraps Up His Longtime Storytelling Series with ‘The End’ from YMH Studios
Ari Shaffir Concludes 16-Year Journey in Longform Comedy Storytelling with New Series "The End"
After 16 years of pioneering longform storytelling in stand-up comedy, Ari Shaffir is set to conclude his work in this area with the release of his new seven-episode series, The End. The show will be available for streaming on April 16, exclusively on YMH Studios, the platform founded by comedians Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky.
Directed and co-created by Shaffir and Eric Abrams, The End showcases performances from prominent comedians including Shane Gillis, Nate Bargatze, Tom Segura, and Tony Hinchcliffe, among others. These storytellers share their most captivating and unfiltered true stories before a live audience, including Jim Breuer, Chris Distefano, and Sarah Tollemache.
"For YMH Studios, this direct-to-consumer approach reinforces our commitment to creator ownership and direct relationships with our audience," explained Segura, alongside fellow executive producers Ryan P. Hall and Joshua Zollo. This strategy has led to over 430 million annual impressions across their 25-show podcast portfolio.
Shaffir remarked on the impact of his storytelling platform, noting, “My storyteller show helped introduce people to so many millionaire comics who now buy me meals." He also expressed his excitement about collaborating with Segura and his team, appreciating their role in making the new series a reality. "I decided to bypass all the normal streaming services to deliver it directly to the fans who matter most."
In his comedy career, Shaffir has been known for his provocative style, beginning with Ari Shaffir’s Storytelling Show in February 2010. This format evolved into This Is Not Happening, which ran for five seasons on Comedy Central and achieved significant popularity on YouTube. Following its television run, he revived the concept as Ari Shaffir’s Renamed Storytelling Show, continuing to offer a raw, engaging experience in front of live audiences.
The End represents a poignant farewell to a format that has not only launched careers but also produced some of comedy’s most memorable moments. It highlights a growing audience demand for authentic storytelling.
Comedian Ali Siddiq recently acknowledged the cultural importance of This Is Not Happening on the Comedy Means Business podcast, stating that his appearance in 2015, where he recounted witnessing a prison riot, was crucial to his career breakthrough. “[This Is Not Happening] was a comics’ environment of happiness where every person wanted every person to do well,” he shared, emphasizing the show’s supportive environment.
Shaffir first garnered acclaim with his special, Jew, which attracted Netflix following a successful YouTube run. More recently, he premiered his latest hour, America’s Sweetheart, on Netflix in January. Known for his adventurous spirit, he frequently shares his travel experiences on the YMH Studios podcast You Be Trippin’.
As Shaffir wraps up this chapter of his career, The End stands as a testament to his significant contributions to the world of comedy and storytelling.
