Julian Shapiro-Barnum Innovates Late-Night TV with ‘Outside Tonight’

Julian Shapiro-Barnum, renowned for his social media series ‘Recess Therapy,’ has ventured into the late-night TV space with a twist. His new online-only show, ‘Outside Tonight,’ has entered the digital arena with unique elements inspired by traditional late-night television.

The essence of ‘Outside Tonight’ includes familiar features like a desk, a band, an opening monologue, interviews, musical guests, sketches, and games. Despite these similarities, the program distinguishes itself significantly.

Whereas conventional late-night shows air on broadcast networks or streaming services such as Netflix, ‘Outside Tonight’ is fully available on YouTube. Shapiro-Barnum, a 26-year-old digital native, doesn’t come from a background linked to established late-night endeavors like ‘Saturday Night Live’ or ‘The Daily Show.’

The financial model is drastically different. ‘Outside Tonight’ operates without the support of a large media company. Its budget is a small fraction of that typical late-night show budgets, which can exceed $100 million.

The filming occurs outdoors, aligning with the show’s title. New episodes air weekly, adding a fresh twist to the typical format. Shapiro-Barnum believes these differences could rejuvenate the genre.

Late-night TV is experiencing a decline, with ratings and advertising revenues dwindling. The genre faces an existential crisis as the number of traditional late-night series decreases. CBS recently exited the market following the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show,’ due to financial losses reaching $40 million. ABC’s future in late-night TV may also be uncertain once Jimmy Kimmel retires.

In the premiere episode, Shapiro-Barnum acknowledged the audacity of claiming to save late-night TV. He humorously remarked, ‘Is it cocky to say that ‘Outside Tonight’ is saving late night? Definitely. Is it true? I don’t know. But I know for sure it is fun to say.’