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"Comedy has undergone a transformation over the past few years thanks to digital and social media. From standup comedians breaking out on Twitter to television networks adapting to new viewer habits \u2014 there's a blending of old and new media that's thrown all the old rules of production and talent out the window.\nWe're beginning to see production and distribution of content take alternative routes, as Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari set the bar for others to follow.\n\n\nNote: This video contains language that may be NSFW.\n\nHowever, that's not to say old media isn't keeping up. Many network shows now include hashtags to encourage the conversation on the \"second screen,\" and comedians provide additional commentary on Twitter when a show airs. Erik Flannigan, EVP of digital media at Viacom Entertainment Group, says the result has made first-run TV time slots relevant again in the age of DVR.\n\"Whether that show was shot six months ago or not, when it airs, especially if you know the talent's on the other side, suddenly there's this moment where you do want to watch it on television live, not necessarily on your DVR. Because there's a conversation happening with essentially some additional material from that talent that you might be missing out on if you waited to watch it the next day.\"\nAlternatively, comedians are beginning to reap the benefits from their casual acts on social media. Flannigan says that some comedians already have graduated from Twitter to the tube.\n\nSEE ALSO: How Twitter Is Changing The Craft of Comedy\nRob Delaney is often identified as a talent discovered on Twitter. The comedian landed a pilot with Comedy Central which revolved around his take on the current Twitter trends. \n\n\n\nIf you leave your baby unattended, I'm going to sniff it. I'll tell you that right now.\u2014 rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 15, 2012\n\n\n\n\"Social media certainly brings people to our attention, no doubt about it, \" says Comedy Central's SVP of talent and specials, Jonas Larsen. \"It's an emerging state for sure, but it's definitely important how we use it in our search for talent.\"\nDelaney is among several others who've been nominated for \"Funniest Person on Twitter\" \u2014 a new category at this year's Comedy Awards. According to Larsen, comedians have in some ways become \"the new rock stars,\" and attributes that directly to social media. \n\nSEE ALSO: Twitter Comedy: How to Be Funny in 140 Characters\nComedian and Nerdist founder Chris Hardwick says social and digital media have turned the web into the new demotape, changing the game completely from what it was 20 years ago.\n\"It's a bottom-up system, where the old media was very top-down,\" says Hardwick. \"Like, three companies would tell the world who they should find entertaining, and now anyone can be exposed to the world and show their talent because of the Internet. It seems obvious, but it literally has completely changed the structure of how we get and consume media.\"\nViral content has become so powerful to major companies, it often equates to the same level of validation as a nod from the companies themselves \u2014 in other words, power in numbers has become equally as important as exclusivity.\n\"Now, everyone can be displayed into the world, so the challenge is how do you rise above the noise,\" Hardwick says. \"I think ultimately if you care about what you're doing and you're good at it, you will.\"\nThis May we'll be exploring the future of media and many other digital trends at our signature conference, Mashable Connect. See below for all the details.\nEvent Information\n\nOur annual destination conference, Mashable Connect, brings our community together for three days to connect offline in an intimate setting at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World\u00AE. Registration is now open. \nHeld in a unique location away from everyday distractions, Mashable Connect is a rare and valuable opportunity to be surrounded by digital leaders across industries. You\u2019ll spend time with Mashable\u2019s passionate and influential community, hear from top speakers who will provide insight into the the technologies and trends that are shaping the next era of digital innovation, and get to spend time with the Mashable team.\nTo keep Mashable Connect as intimate as possible, only a limited amount of tickets are available.\nA Look Back at Last Year\u2019s Mashable Connect\n\n\nMashable Connect 2011 Recap [VIDEOS &amp; PICS]\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. Mashable Connect Dinner\nAttendees connect over delicious food.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Social TV Panel with HBO and Bravo\nSabrina Caluori (left), director of social media and marketing at HBO, and Lisa Hsia (right), executive vice president at Bravo Digital Media, talk with Mashable reporter Christina Warren about the future of television and social TV.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. Conversation on Stage\nMashable's associate editor for marketing and media, Lauren Indvik, talks with Greg Clayman, publisher of The Daily. Clayman discussed the iPad-only publication's first few months and its goals for the future.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. Jump!\nAttendees show their excitement at Epcot.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Karaoke \nThe Mashable editorial team shows its true talent on stage during karaoke with a live band.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. Mickey Mouse \nA team poses at a checkin spot for the Mashable Connect Race.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Keynote Speech\nPete Cashmore, founder and CEO of Mashable, delivers his keynote speech at Mashable Connect at Disney World.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Mashable Connect Race Powered by Gowalla\nTeam members check in to a race location at Magic Kingdom during the Mashable Connect Race powered by Gowalla.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. Speed Networking\nAttendees making lots of connections in a short period of time during Speed Connections.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. \"The War Room\"\nThis is where the stories about Mashable Connect were created. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n11. David Karp\nFounder and CEO of Tumblr talks about the power of identity on the web.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n12. Adam Hirsch\nAdam Hirsch, Mashable's COO, makes an announcment. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n13. Adam Rich\nAdam Rich, founder and editor-in-chief of Thrillist, presents talks about how e-mail is the fundamental social medium.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n14. Christy Tanner\nChristy Tanner, general manager and executive vice president of TV Guide Digital talks about how social media is (and is not) transforming the entertainment business.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n15. Josh Williams\nJosh Williams, CEO of Gowalla, discusses what brands and consumers can expect for the future of location. He says these apps should be used for crafting the narrative of your life, as defined by the places you go, the people you meet and the photos you capture.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n16. Zach Sniderman\nZach Sniderman, Mashable's assistant features editor, introduces speaker Aaron Sherinian, executive director of communications and public affairs for the United Nations Foundation.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n17. Aaron Sherinian\nAaron Sherinian, executive director of communications and public affairs for the United Nations Foundation, addresses crowdpushing and why non-profits want your help.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n18. Steve Rubel\nSteve Rubel, executive vice president of global strategy and insights at Edelman, delivers his presentation, \"Authority in the Age of Overload.\"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n19. Sharon Feder\nSharon Feder, Mashable's managing editor, gives a speech. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n20. David Jones, Sharon Feder &amp; Adam Ostrow\nKeynote speaker David Jones, global CEO of Havas and Euro RSCG, hangs out with Mashable's Sharon Feder and Adam Ostrow.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSupporting Sponsors\nSponsorship Opportunities\nA limited number of sponsor opportunities are available for Mashable Connect. This is an excellent opportunity to get in front of Mashable\u2019s passionate and influential audience. Contact sponsorships@mashable.com for opportunities. \nThumbnail image courtesy of Comedy Central\n      window._msla=window.loadScriptAsync||function(src,id){if(document.getElementById(id))return;var js=document.createElement('script');js.id=id;js.src=src;document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0].parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);};\n_msla(\"//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js\",\"twitter_jssdk\");"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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