Refinery29’s RIOT: “A female-first YouTube comedy channel”

Refinery29 announced a slate of new initiatives during their Newfronts presentation on Monday, among them the launch of a separate YouTube channel dedicated to women in comedy. It’s called RIOT.

“We need to move away from the idea of selling ‘empowerment’ to women. This generation of women has an innate sense of power that has never existed before, and we see it in our audience every day. We need to honor that power,” said Amy Emmerich, chief content officer at Refinery29. “Refinery29 aims to rally our community of strong, outspoken, and confident women to harness the strength, passion, and empathy that fuels them. We are proud to be collaborating with award-winning talent to create a slate of female-focused content that showcases what it is to be powerful in a non-traditional way.”

RIOT is being led by Julie Miller, and includes an initial talent roster of Phoebe Robinson, Jo Firestone, Aparna Nancherla, Laura Willcox, Shannon Coffey, and Jacqueline Novak, and eight original webseries to start.

Here’s their pitch video!

The biggest surprise on day one: Lena Dunham as a guest interviewed for Jacqueline Novak’s new series, “How to Weep in Public.” (Novak wrote a book called just that and it’s out now! How to Weep in Public: Feeble Offerings on Depression from One Who Knows)

The biggest laughs on day one: Aparna Nancherla and Jo Firestone’s puberty tips!

Also also! Phoebe Robinson welcomes her 2 Dope Queens partner in comedy crimes Jessica Williams to launch her series, “WOKE BAE.”

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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