TV comedy has enjoyed a golden moment of its own, though feature comedy continues to struggle to regain its footing as a theatrical entity. Rather than waiting for opportunities from traditional gatekeepers, creators are increasingly building and financing their own projects — bringing hard-won digital audiences into the traditional space as a bargaining chip. Meanwhile, new incubators are emerging outside established systems in hopes of nurturing the next generation of comedy stars. The moment presents plenty of questions: What has led to the decline of theatrical comedy? How much are stand-ups buying into the traditional space, in a moment when more than ever are making a killing on the road?