Last Saturday, February 6th, myself and three friends drove down to the College of William and Mary to watch one of the final shows in Bo Burnham’s Make Happy tour. Needless to say, it was one of the best experiences of my life. Bo was hilarious, our seats were spectacular, and my friends and I knew just about every word to the whole performance. Despite the niche audience Bo usually caters to, the concert was open to the public and so some lesser fans straggled in. Before the show started, my friend Kelly and I overheard some of their conversations, including this gem of a statement: “I’ve seen his Netflix show twice.”
Ahem, okay. Kelly and I looked at each other. Between the two of us, we had seen the show hundreds of times. This experience reaffirmed my title of “true fan.” It also got me wondering, how many people out there think they're true fans? In response, I created a list of criteria that only the most dedicated fans would acknowledge.
So, you think you're a Bo fan?
1. You can quote Bo Fo Show, What, Words Words Words, and Make Happy flawlessly.
And you're okay with that.
2. You recognize the name "Robert Pickering Burnham."
It's Bo. Bo's name is Robert Pickering Burnham.
3. You have never wanted to be made fun of so badly.
I think at the show I shouted, "BO BURN ME" at least twelve times.
4. You have seen him live.
Or you have definitive plans to.
5. You can identify with his awkwardness.
"Keep it. Keep the struggle."
6. You are always conscious of the contents of your burrito.
You made sure the contents of your burrito adequately fit within the confines of the tortilla and didn't spill out. You paid special attention to the amount of lettuce, and cheese inside of it.
7. You have spent at least 10+ hours on YouTube watching his videos.
I know people who have spent days looking at his videos. Trust me, 10 hours is not a lot.
8. All of your friends, even the ones who have never heard of Bo, have heard you singing his songs.
There's no way they don't know all the words to Left Brain, Right Brain at this point.
9. You know that he meant to knock the water over.
And that he meant to play the track again.
10. You have questioned the more important things in life.
"Where are all the sour patch parents?"
11. You know Bo is 25 and that means its so-and-so much of an age gap and you're okay with that.
How many things did you end up knowing?
