Sometimes you need a pick me up for a bad day, want to discover new material, or just want something funny to watch in between classes. For any and all of these occasions, I've complied a short list of some of my favorite bits of comedy. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I enjoyed re-watching all of them while compiling them here.
1. Whose Line Is It Anyway: Pregnancy
All totaled up, I have spent at least a year of my life watching clips of "Whose Line is it Anyway" on Youtube because I think it is such pure, original comedy. This scene in particular is one of my absolute favorites from the show just because it delves further and further into chaos and seeing the thought processes of Ryan and Colin throughout is priceless. They play off each other so seamlessly that you believe 100% of what’s happening and can visualize everything around them. That being said, sometimes you love an improv scene that goes poorly just as much as you love one that goes well, and this is an example of the perfect balance of both outcomes.
2. John Mulaney: The Salt and Pepper Diner
If someone asked me what a perfect piece of stand up should be, I would show them this. It is an absolutely iconic bit and it was the first thing I ever listened to by John Mulaney, who is now my favorite person ever. I can assure you that his full comedy specials: New in Town and the Comeback Kid (on Netflix), and the audio of The Top Part (on Youtube) are life changing. Seventy-five percent of the things I say I are references to his comedy in some way, shape, or form. His strengths are really showcased here, and everything about this clip: his delivery, the pauses he takes when it’s “dead quiet”, and the overall story of some teenage hooligans messing with diner patrons, form an amazing product.
3. This is an amazing website
The Reductress is one of the best clickbait-as-comedy sites I have seen. Their articles are everything from straight up nonsense to actual satirical humor on contemporary social values. Some of my personal favorites ones that comment on real life events or practices are: “6 Spring Outfits You Don’t Deserve Because You Don’t Read Garment Care Labels,” which hits incredibly close to home with us college students who share washers and dryers with 500+ people, and “Wow! Man Guesses End of Movie," which mocks that one obnoxious guy friend that always talks through your favorite rom-coms. Additionally, their eccentric articles are equally as brilliant, like, “I Don’t Know Jeff, Are We Ready to Order?” and “8 Morning Affirmations that can be Turned Into Normal Sentences if Your Roommates Overhear.” Honestly, you could just read the headlines if you need a quick pick me up or spend an hour reading all the articles; the authors are really committed to creating well-written and witty articles.
4. SNL Celebrity Jeopardy: Kathie Lee, Tom Hanks, Sean Connery
SNL’s Celebrity Jeopardy skits are always funny, but this one is particularly good because of Tom Hank’s dedication to his bumbling idiot persona, and Kristen Wiig’s facial expressions while portraying a wine-obsessed Kathie Lee. Will Ferrel’s deadpan Trebek is always a perfect contrast to the complete idiocy that happening in front of him, and he manages to play constant exasperation and disappointment without becoming repetitive. Throw in the constant belittlement of Trebek’s mother by Sean Connery and it’s a perfect storm of comedy. Also, how can you not love stupidly obvious categories and Tom Hanks getting his hand stuck in a pickle jar?
5. Key & Peele: Les Mis
I have a powerful and unwavering love of Les Mis, so I think this sketch is hilarious, but even people with minimal knowledge of the story can at least understand why this is such a great parody of the genre in general. This is pretty much what 50% of the show sounds like: multiple people slowly layering parts, building to a patriotic and unified shout. However, I love the juxtaposition between such a forceful number and the constant questioning by Key’s character. A sole character confused (and increasingly frustrated) by the world he’s in is even funnier when all the other character are oblivious to his protests and continue their song as if it’s a completely normal thing to do. Also, the line “is this city on fire? What’s with all the smoke?” perfectly emphasizes how overdramatic musical theater would look to someone stuck on the inside.