18: SARA NISHIKAWA ON VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE AND THE POWER OF DROPOUT TV
The headline for Very Important People (VIP) is that it’s a talk show with a guest. It’s actually barely that. The guests are given a makeover with prosthetics and costumes they’ve never seen before and improvise a character on the spot (Makeover isn’t the right word but honestly, there’s no right word to describe what these artists get into). The host, a heightened characterization of comedian Vic Michaelis, interviews the guest.
The power of Vic is that they’re taking it all so seriously and all they want is for the guest to succeed. The guest, who outwardly has been transformed into a spooky baby, a man recently emerged from an icecap, or colorful spotted demon, are encouraged to take big swings because Vic’s straight man structured show is there to catch them. VIP’s success is born out of an intensively collaborative production team including prop, costume, and prosthetic team dictating and dreaming up their most ambitious work. There is trust throughout the entire process and the comfortable safety net is Vic’s generosity, grounding the show, and being selfless by balancing the needs of the performer and audience. The ultimate giver in service of other’s creativity. The art of Vic Michaelis alone can lead to a better world.
I think the role of art can be to model a better, more kind world.
VIP is part of Dropout, a production company run by a man who believes in artists and that they can lead to a better world. He saw the art created around him and is paving a model for companies to create an ecosystem for performers and arts workers to be passionate while being treated with respect.
Sam Reich is the CEO, a comedian, and writer who actively participates in creating the shows and hosts a show himself. Dropout is not just thriving as an economic contributor, but it’s uplifting sincerity, pushing the already talented to go further, and providing a platform so they can succeed. Reich is quoted as reminding talent and staff each show “it is my first priority that you be good to work with, and it is my second priority that you be good at your work.”
Their content is highly specific, wildly inventive, often educational, but also not for everyone. Now, you’ll rarely hear me praise a corporation, but Dropout is inclusive, diverse in its content, performers, and team, has a profit sharing model for its employees and cast members, pays higher than average for performers, and pays people to audition. They’re the first streaming service to pay residuals to performers and have no ads so they don’t have to be beholden to advertisers.
Dropout content is full of giggle and heartwarming moments but it’s subliminally, and sometimes overtly, screaming at the audience that if you stop being a piece of shit and care for each other, maybe we’ll be okay.
– Sara, June 2026
Sara Nishikawa was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She works and lives in Detroit, Michigan. She holds a BA in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University, MA in Visual Arts from CSUN, and an MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Arts. She has a small dog named Angus and a cat named Mac Salad.
