Dropout’s ‘Game Changer’ Cast Talks CollegeHumor Rebrand Season 6

The cast of contestants and comedians from the sixth season of “Game Changer” can best be described as reminiscent of the old stop-motion holiday special, in which the titular reindeer meets a group of outcasts on the island of Misfit Toys. This diverse and eclectic group embodies a modern, inclusive ethos that stands in stark contrast to the early days of CollegeHumor.

Sam Reich, CEO of Dropout and host of “Game Changer,” reflects on the company’s evolution from the early days of College Humor before it was transformed into a standalone, ad-free subscription service. “You saw a gigantic sea of ​​white men,” Reich notes, highlighting the transformation into a more diverse and representative ensemble. “We get a lot of credit for things that happened organically.”

Today, Dropout’s vast array of content is praised for reflecting the true diversity of the world. Throughout the game show’s sixth season, viewers will see a spectrum of ethnicities, creeds, sexual orientations and genders represented.

In addition to Reich, seven of this season’s cast members – Ally Beardsley, Raphael Chestang, Katie Marovitch, Vic Michaelis, Oscar Montoya, Brennan Lee Mulligan and Jacob Wysocki – sat down with Variety for an afternoon in the Dropout studio. The interview was followed by a game that mimicked the show’s unpredictable rules, which even the cast members didn’t know.

CollegeHumor launched its streaming service Dropout in September 2018, knowing that traditional advertisers and streamers wouldn’t support the content they wanted to create, so they “called it quits.” In late 2019, Barry Diller’s IAC planned to sell the company as they no longer considered it suitable for their broader strategy. In January 2020, after failing to find a suitable buyer, they sold the company to Reich, then Chief Creative Officer of CollegeHumor. Unfortunately, this transition resulted in the layoff of more than 100 employees, with only seven remaining, including Brennan Lee Mulligan, the creator of ‘Dimension 20’.

Shortly afterwards, the pandemic broke out. While most productions were on hiatus, Dropout continued to deliver content to its growing fanbase by creating virtual shows and digital content. The company’s subscriber base is now in the mid-six figures, reflecting steady growth.

Reich really differs from CEOs in the media world because he shares his success with everyone. In 2023, Dropout introduced profit sharing, benefiting anyone who earned even $1 with the company throughout the year. The company even pays actors who audition for one of their shows. Dropout now operates with approximately 20 full-time employees, supplemented by numerous contracted creatives who help bring its diverse range of shows to life.

The show has been submitted for Emmy consideration, including Outstanding Game Show.

Read about some of the best moments from Variety interview with the cast and creators below.

Part 1 of the “Game Changer” season 6 finale is now available on Dropout.

Read: All Primetime Emmy predictions in every category at Variety Awards circuit.