Pete Davidson, Colin Jost Proved Staten Island Ferry Critics Wrong
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Comedians Pete Davidson and Colin Jost purchased the decommissioned Staten Island ferry John F. Kennedy in 2022, intending to transform it into a floating entertainment venue despite public skepticism and negative media coverage.
- In partnership with Snapple, Davidson and Jost hosted a one-night-only free comedy show aboard the ferry, aiming to revive both their comedy careers and Snapple’s nostalgic glass bottle brand among younger audiences.
- The event featured a lineup of rising comedians who engaged a predominantly young millennial and Gen Z audience with candid, risqué humor, highlighting a contrast with the risk-averse tendencies often attributed to Gen Z.
- The intimate setting emphasized vulnerability and live interaction, with performers openly acknowledging imperfections and the challenges of performing without heavy reliance on technology or social media.
- The Snapple brand used the event as a strategic test for its limited glass bottle revival, leveraging nostalgia and experiential marketing to reconnect with consumers amid evolving sustainability and manufacturing considerations.
