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Stand-up & sketch comedy: videos Hacker News recommends
Comedy: stand-up specials, sketch comedy, Monty Python, Mr. Show, comedians, improv, comedy clubs, talk-show comedy, funny bits and absurdist humor. Below: every video in this topic that at least three HN users linked with real commentary, in at least three different months (210 comedy videos, 10 music videos, 8 talks), best-scored first, with the comments on each video page.
- Satire & parody 362
- Music performance & songs 239
- Music theory, synthesis & production 103
- Film & TV clips 310
- Film analysis & criticism 39
- Documentaries & storytelling 202
- Literature & writing craft 43
- Visual arts, photography & architecture 42
- Sports & athletics 38
- Magic, puzzles & curiosities 34
- Arts & entertainment (other) 75
- HN treats it as a favorite example of silly but educational computer science, recommended often when threads touch odd storage hacks.
- HN repeatedly recommends it as the clearest explanation of why Chan's fight scenes beat fast-cut Hollywood action.
- CappyNJ comedy video recommended in 7 different months by 7 HN users, 2010–2026HN keeps linking it in threads on clutter, storage units, real estate and consumerism as a perfectly apt comic take.
- HN recommends it as an entertaining and inspiring Blender talk, and often links it in threads about learning Blender.
- HN uses it as a counterintuitive data point in debates on welfare states, social mobility and entrepreneurship.
- HN recommends it in hair-loss threads as a funny, inspiring example of accepting baldness.
- eroosters commentary recommended in 4 different months by 4 HN users, 2018–2024Shared in heated-discussion threads as a short, witty take on why extremism is appealing.
- Jason Headley comedy video recommended in 4 different months by 5 HN users, 2014–2026HN commenters link it as the quickest memorable illustration of listening versus problem-solving, and as shorthand in threads on empathy and support.
- Ken Jones documentary recommended in 4 different months by 3 HN users, 2014–2022HN points to it as a rare look at how top comedians think about craft, motivation and process.
- poyani comedy video recommended in 4 different months by 4 HN users, 2014–2025HN commenters reach for it whenever a thread involves corporate or political euphemism, using it mostly as a reference.
- Commenters bring it up in threads on phones, boredom, attention and children's screen use as a funny but resonant take.
- DocShadow660 comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2016–2024HN commenters recommend it as a surreal, perfectly observed parody of old educational films, and quote it in jokes.
- Super Eyepatch Wolf commentary recommended in 3 different months by 9 HN users, 2017–2026HN treats it as the definitive explanation of the Simpsons decline, recommended in every thread asking when the golden age ended.
- Lisa Zielinski comedy video recommended in 4 different months by 5 HN users, 2018–2026HN invokes it whenever people grumble about convenience, technology or AI that would have seemed miraculous not long ago.
- Jim Jefferies comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2016–2022Recommended as a funny but surprisingly persuasive outsider take on gun control, mainly in gun-related threads.
- Recommended as a short, eye-opening piece of film analysis whenever physical or visual comedy is discussed.
- tablet reader talk recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2018–2025HN recommends it as a hilarious talk by a beloved speaker, and also uses it to jab at JavaScript's quirks.
- Bill Hicks comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2016–2025Offered as a pick-me-up and calming perspective when people feel lost or stressed.
- MrSenseisnotcommon comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2014–2022HN commenters offer it as a sharp, funny answer to 'PC gone mad' and anti-woke arguments in discussions of language policy.
- Ryan George comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 2 HN users, 2022–2025HN recommends it as a funny sketch that lays bare the crazy things people have gotten used to on Amazon.
- RobPRocks comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2022–2024Recommended in threads on music copyright and chord progressions as a funny, accurate demonstration that a few chords are fundamental to music.
- Monke96ify comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2014–2026HN users share it in threads on drinking and addiction as an honest account of alcoholism and sobriety.
- RobPRocks comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2012–2023Brought up in threads about chord progressions and musical copyright as the funny canonical version of the idea.
- Recommended as a short, excellent analysis of Keaton and visual comedy.
- Yoram Bauman comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2009–2023HN points to it as a short, funny and genuinely informative take on economic principles such as trade and opportunity cost.
- The Axis of Awesome comedy video recommended in 3 different months by 3 HN users, 2012–2025HN commenters use it as the canonical demonstration that popular songs reuse one chord progression, especially in threads on music analysis and AI-generated music.
- HN recommends it as an inspiring interview about passion, minimalism and deliberately imposing restrictions on creative work.
- HN points to it as a memorable performance that doubles as a parody of TED talks and a showcase of live vocal looping.
- Paul Taylor comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2021–2022Recommended as hilarious for anyone familiar with both French and British or American culture, and relevant to expats.
- Tom Lehrer music video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2020–2025Posted whenever Lehrer comes up, as the best way to see him perform, and treated as a complete stand-up-style set.
- Bromista5 talk recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2011–2025HN finds the story inspiring beyond comedy: getting good by throwing out your old work and starting over.
- HN posts it as a favorite comic summary of debt avoidance and spending discipline, and as a joke in buy-now-pay-later threads.
- Stephen O'Regan video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2023–2026HN points to it as the best filmed version of the story whenever aliens or the nature of intelligence come up.
- Geen Naam comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2018–2022HN brings it up as comic relief and as a funny take when immunity, dirt and germs come up.
- FEAR OF A BROWN PLANET comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 3 HN users, 2013–2016Pointed to as a comedic but clear explanation of power dynamics in discussions of race and diversity in tech.
- Ray “PODAN” Dorschner comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2021–2025HN shares it as one of the greatest stand-up bits ever, and pulls it out whenever Germany, war or trade come up.
- random804 comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2012–2025The go-to reference in threads on chord progressions, pop music similarity and music copyright.
- Used as a funny, accessible reference for coincidences, spurious patterns and maths errors.
- Dadniel comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2014–2024HN quotes it in environmental threads as a famous, darkly funny take that the planet will outlast humanity.
- anc6368 interview recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2021–2025HN commenters cite it as an insightful short explanation of why US and UK comedy differ.
- checkoutmytrip comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 3 HN users, 2010–2012Posted constantly in threads about tech complaints as a reminder to appreciate how remarkable modern technology is.
- David Mitchell's Soapbox comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2014–2017HN people share it as a funny and apt take whenever job postings or recruiters demand passion.
- HN links it in piracy and copyright-lawsuit threads as a funny short demonstration of how inflated industry damage figures are.
- Shared in Excel threads as a funny parody that treats spreadsheets like an e-sport.
- HN commenters cite it as the canonical joke about administrators multiplying regardless of the work, whenever threads turn to institutional or corporate bloat.
- Tim Minchin music video recommended in 2 different months by 1 HN user, 2015–2026HN cites it in arguments about the force of words, including the long debates over the GIMP name and username filtering.
- HN recommends it as a funny piece on Excel used in ways it shouldn't be.
- notsyort music video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2020–2024HN brings it up whenever thermodynamics or entropy comes up, as the classic comic explanation of the laws.
- CappyNJ comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2013–2024Cited whenever euphemisms appear in corporate, product or news language, as the classic comedic critique.
- Patrick Reed comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2020–2026HN commenters bring it up as a reminder to appreciate technology instead of complaining, from Waymo to AI art to flight delays.
- Rob Logan comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2015–2026HN reaches for this clip whenever a thread involves euphemism or corporate and sanitized phrasing.
- Tyrell Edwards comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2018–2023A near-meme reference dropped in threads about advertising, tracking and adtech, often as shorthand for disdain of marketing.
- HN mentions it mainly for Conan's roasting of the interviewer and Google's leadership, not for any informational content.
- Political News comedy video recommended in 2 different months by 2 HN users, 2017–2025Cited as a witty, clear take on the avoidance versus evasion distinction.
- aaron pryor comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2019–2022Cited in threads about renaming and sanitized language as a classic comedic statement of the case against euphemism.
- SkyEcho7 comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2023–2026Quoted whenever threads touch on elites, exclusivity and education, with 'it's a big club' as shorthand.
- Mostly cited as a joke in threads on three-wheeled cars, and occasionally as a demonstration of the stability problem of a high center of gravity on three wheels.
- Weidmann comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2019–2023Used as a joke or satire reference in moderation, free-speech and police threads.
- VideoFunStation comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2015–2018Posted as the obligatory joke in any thread about speech recognition, and recommended in a thread on what makes people laugh.
- Davison comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2015–2016HN links it as a quotable rant to illustrate points about bias and outsiders in unrelated threads.
- Fun English Lessons comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2023–2026HN quotes it jokingly when talk turns to nonsense language, and one commenter points out its underlying linguistics.
- niznj comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2020–2024Mostly a joke reference in threads about layoffs, idleness and wealth, with one commenter sincerely recommending the clip for its contrast of work attitudes.
- Matt Phillips Education comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2019–2025Invoked in threads about ads, tracking and marketing as the go-to comedic indictment of advertising, often as a joke or a parallel.
- Cited as a fun, unconventional example of neural networks built from floating point error.
- killtheweak comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2015–2025Brought up as a comic touchstone in discussions of advertising, usually with a joke or a quick reference.
- HN people link it as a joke about blindly trusting navigation or automated systems.
- Josh Darnit comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2022–2026HN uses it as shorthand for how hard it is to write unambiguous instructions, in discussions of programming, tutorials and LLM prompting.
- iStateOfMind3 comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2015–2022HN links it as a pointed comedic statement of why education is seen as broken and unlikely to be fixed.
- TheDamnWreckless comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2016–2025HN commenters link it as a funny, quotable takedown of alternative medicine and cite its lines (such as 'alternative medicine that works is called medicine') in threads on homeopathy.
- Ignite Talks - Smart Ideas From Around the World talk recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2012–2020Recommended as an excellent short Ignite talk from a geek comedian.
- CrystalRoseCreations comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2014–2026Cited constantly as a quip when a person or organization seems to be doing something morally dubious.
- Brian and Karl comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2013–2017HN cites it as the best-known example of gibberish that mimics the sound of a language, in threads about fake languages and nonsense imitations.
- Lizzie Steven comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2007–2023HN mostly posts it as a joke whenever someone says things were harder in the old days.
- HN brings it up as a joke and as design inspiration for voice assistants for seniors.
- Captain Soul commentary recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2017–2024Cited in threads on wrongful convictions and executions as a pithy rebuttal of the deterrence argument.
- TheVoxRox comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2012–2019Cited in free speech and moderation threads as the famous comedic rant on being offended.
- Jimmy Kimmel Live comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2014–2022Used as an illustration of the confident-idiot effect and of people pretending to know things.
- HN posts it as a joke or light recommendation in threads where dongles, Apple or trademark confusion come up.
- RTÉ - IRELAND’S NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE MEDIA music video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2022–2026Shared as a delightful example of Irish humor and as a joke reference.
- HN brings it up in threads about tone getting lost in text-based communication.
- palestne comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2019–2025Mostly posted as a joke reply in arguments, with one commenter recommending it as a lovely skit about how to argue.
- Diego Cumplido comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2018–2026Mostly posted as a joke in toilet-related threads, especially for the line about German hermeneutic stool inspection.
- QI comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2020–2021Linked in threads about fuzzy categories, such as fish, trees and fruit, as the origin of the phrase and a fun illustration.
- Jimmy Lee comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2020–2025HN quotes and links it as a witty take on political correctness in culture-war and language threads.
- arkmaii comedy video recommended in 1 different month by 1 HN user, 2013–2022HN commenters link it as the origin of a LEGO quote and as a delightful monologue about how the toy has changed.
- t91 comedy video cited on HN 7 times, 2017–2024HN uses it as a joke reference when discussing coercion, implied threats and consent in power imbalances.
- memoriewhisperer comedy video cited on HN 8 times, 2018–2024HN uses it as a joke reference whenever software or algorithms rigidly deny people with no recourse.
- Seinfeld comedy video cited on HN 4 times, 2021–2025HN mostly references it for the origin of Festivus or as a seasonal joke.
- Used as shorthand for the arrogant, dismissive tech support person in jokes and comparisons.
- Weidmoo comedy video cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2023Used as a joke reference when someone claims to have had it harder than others.
- Phuck Yiu comedy video cited on HN 3 times, 2022–2025HN commenters link it as a joke in threads about tracing, IMSI catchers and surveillance, not as a serious recommendation.
- IronFistDigitalMedia comedy video cited on HN 4 times, 2024–2026Posted as a joke or pop-culture reference in threads complaining about Microsoft software behavior.
- ClarkeAndDawe comedy video cited on HN 20 times, 2017–2026Used almost entirely as a joke reference when HN threads involve accidents, failures or evasive official statements.
- ProZD comedy video cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2021Used as a joke when HN threads show enthusiasts arguing over niche details.
- mrmagoo312 comedy video cited on HN 3 times, 2016–2023Brought up in censorship threads as a joke and as a canonical example of censorship that changes the meaning of the original.
- Jack Govier comedy video cited on HN 4 times, 2015–2023Invoked as a joke when discussing ad creep, second screens and overbearing commercial or online experiences.
- Kenny Teeology comedy video cited on HN 3 times, 2020–2023HN commenters quote it jokingly whenever someone lists the unacknowledged benefits of an entity people love to complain about.
- Studio C comedy video cited on HN 4 times, 2015–2023Only brought up as a joke, usually when someone uses the word literally or the thread is about auto-antonyms.
- Don Blackmore comedy video cited on HN 3 times, 2018–2020Used as a joke whenever automated systems deny people without explanation or recourse.
- Brazilian Body Art comedy video cited on HN 5 times, 2022–2026Commenters drop it as a joke when a thread touches on religion or sects.
Showing the 100 best-scored of 242. Use search to find the rest.
Questions
What is the most recommended stand-up & sketch comedy video on Hacker News?
Harder Drive: Hard drives we didn't want or need by suckerpinch: HN treats it as a favorite example of silly but educational computer science, recommended often when threads touch odd storage hacks.
How is this stand-up & sketch comedy list ranked?
By HackerTube's score: the number of distinct months in which an HN comment recommended the video, plus half a point for every month with a strong recommendation. One viral thread counts less than steady recommendations over years.
Where do the videos come from?
From every Hacker News comment between 2007 and 2026 that linked a YouTube video, labeled by an AI model as a recommendation, a citation, a joke or a criticism. The list is published by HackerTube under ODC-By 1.0; this edition adds indexable pages and the comment context.