If you are disappointed with the current state of comedy, you’re not alone. Comedy, as with all things enjoyable, has become another form of toxic activism; a way for coastal elites to pontificate for hours on end, or at least until Netflix turns off the lights, to a crowd that unanimously agrees. What was once a communal event by which individuals of differing beliefs came together to take themselves lightly, comedy has become another avenue by which one side ostracizes the other.

This is the reality that (roughly) everyone accepts. Right, Left, or Center, there is no argument against the notion that comedy is owned, produced, and distributed by a certain sect of thinkers. Late night hosts such as Stephen Colbert, Trevor Noah, Samantha Bee, and Jimmy Kimmel are just some of the “comedians” who own cable comedy and have made it their M.O. to only cater to a liberal segment of the population. If you need a refresher, YouTube has compilations of their collective outrage during the 2016 presidential election.

But wait, there’s a silver lining.

Technological innovation is helping fill the void of monotonous liberal comedy. Social media platforms have found a way to provide viewers the entertainment they like, free of censorship (at least for now). Smaller name comedians have found a way to break through the behemoth that is Hollywood production and make a name for themselves. Platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram have become the alternatives to Netflix and Comedy Central Specials which only promote a particular viewpoint, and as the view counter shows, millions of people are tuning in.

Of the new figures making a name for themselves, comedian John Crist is doing it and doing it well. He has managed to insert himself into the comedic world as one of the premier breakouts of 2018 with his relatable sketches and self-deprecating humor about being a sheltered, “homeschooled” kid. As of recent, the comic has amassed over 1.5 million followers on Facebook, 700k on Instagram, and 300k on YouTube, but these numbers aren’t completely reflective of his popularity. Many more people watch his work without subscribing.

On Facebook, his video “Cartoons Christian Kids Weren't Allowed to Watch” has been seen 14 million times and “Every Parent at Disney” has been seen 18 million times; these are just two of his popular videos. Suffice it to say, he has a strong social media presence.

In his rise to fame, Crist has also found much success on tour, selling out shows across the nation and earning himself a talent deal with the Hollywood-based agency, ‘United Talent Agency.’

Crist has found notoriety at a time when comedy seems to be all but original. Instead of toeing the same line many comedians in the mainstream do, he has found a way to make conservative (approach, not necessarily politics) comedy funny again. His popularity is found in his willingness to break from the comedic norm by abstaining from profanity, promiscuity, and politically-laden jokes. He has formulated a standup that people from all ideological backgrounds can enjoy without feeling ostracised. This has been a breath of fresh air for those who have perceived comedy to only be a liberal affair.

But his separation from the normal understanding of comedy is not the most surprising thing about him. By far the most surprising is the fact that he is a Christian.

Christians, by all estimates, have no place in the entertainment industry. Their adherence to a biblical moral code marks them more or less a liability. In today’s culture, the only objective for marketing a product is how far to push the envelope; how to take something that is taboo and normalize it.

Instead, his standup operates within a certain set of parameters. Parameters that seem to have been lost over the past few years, such as not demonizing large groups of people as racists, sexists, bigots, or homophobes. In doing so, he has changed the narrative that entertainment and comedy can’t thrive in a traditional, Christian setting.

In an industry that sees not only the Christian faith but the Conservative ideology as a burden, Crist has made these the cornerstone of his work, using it as a point of reference for those of a similar background. It seems to be resonating.

His uncommon approach to comedy has appealed to a large segment of the population that is rarely ever represented. This group, largely from “flyover country,” is made up of those that live in the middle of the nation who are more likely to hold conservative views and to be Bible believers. They are individuals who, for the past decade, have felt the animosity of liberal ideologues on T.V. who have made it their goal to not only ignore them but use them as the punchline. Other than being labeled “deplorable” and “racist,” Hollywood has depicted them as country bumpkins too ignorant to see how they see.

With this type of treatment, it’s not difficult to see why many of them are looking to figures like John Crist for comedic relief.

At the same time, it should be understood that Crist’s appeal is not just one of opposition. His jokes, though they may be broad generalizations, are buoyant in their regard. They speak a certain level of truth without snubbing a side. That is, no one walks away feeling disparaged.

I allude to this because just this week, it was reported that a new Conservative late-night show was coming to the YouTube platform as a way to rival that of cable.

For those on the Right, this may seem like a reason for rejoicing; someone finally represents our views and values. That is, until you realize nothing has changed except the reversal in direction of animosity. It’s the same vulgarity and crass humor we’ve complained of seeing from every late-night hosts.

Yes, the show may hold a conservative view that caters to a stranded segment of the population, but does it do anything to bring two sides together or even elevate political discourse in any tangible way? If the only difference now is that it represents our side, is there anything to be gained? Mere opposition to cultural norms is of no virtue.

And this is why people, of all backgrounds, should pay attention to Crist. He is a clear demonstration that there is still value in a traditional approach. Comedy is not a monolithic field, designated for the enjoyment of a single type of thinker. It’s nuanced and malleable, and Crist shows that.

He has taken what would otherwise be considered dull, by secular standards, and made it his hallmark. In unprecedented fashion, he has found a way to espouse traditional Christian-Conservative beliefs while simultaneously uniting diverse groups of people. If you are interested in seeing a change in our culture and our political discourse, or even comedy in general, it’s high time we pay attention to figures like him.