Trying to remember all of the funnies I’ve EVER watched on the internet was like recovering an old hard drive: some of the memories were restored but I’m pretty much left with whatever is on my desktop.
The internet is a wild place and I’m glad I’ve lived with it and without it. I’m young enough to be a TikTok convert (just) but I’m old enough to have studied a subject at university called Introduction to E-Marketing where we discussed the pros and cons of taking businesses online. The online world has come a long way and so has content.
Here are some of the treasures that I’ve found worthy of a like, a conversation and maybe even a subsequent deep dive.
Uncle Roger reviews egg fried rice
This video is everything. I have watched it 20-plus times in the last week and I still laugh uncontrollably. I’ve honestly asked so many people: “Have you watched Uncle Roger?” The rumours are true: I am a real conversationalist.
Uncle Roger is Nigel Ng, a Malaysian comedian based in the UK, and his reaction video to a BBC Food presenter cooking rice has made its way into every Asian family chat group. It reminds me of watching my housemates from years gone by trying to cook rice, failing and then asking me, “Lizzy how should I cook rice?” “Ummm, you can just use my rice cooker”. (PSA I bought mine from Aldi for $19. You won’t regret this purchase.)
If you identify with the BBC presenter above and still cook rice on a stove top or you rinse your rice in a colander (smh), you’re in luck. Uncle Roger has made this tutorial in response to his viral reaction video. What he says to his white friends still cooking rice with a saucepan is perfect: “Haiyaa – world war two is over – use technology!”
Becky Robinson: Entitled
I’m a bit sick of watching real Karens tearing up the world on Instagram pages like @kuwtkarens (OMG such a sad scroll) – so when a friend sent me a link to LA-based comedian Becky Robinson’s Country Club Karen saying “You will LOVE this!!!!!!” I had a look and replied “YES LOVE IT!! So good. HAHAHAH”.
I’m hoping she does more Karen vids because she absolutely nails it.
Tiffany Haddish on Jimmy Kimmel
Everyone remembers the first time they came across the powerhouse comedian Tiffany Haddish. OK, maybe not everyone, but I certainly do: I was watching this and thinking, “Who is this woman?”
This clip of her on Jimmy Kimmel Live telling the best story of how she took Jada and Will Smith on a Groupon swamp tour still makes me laugh three years later. In short, Jada didn’t know what Groupon was because she’s royalty and she thought they were going to be a “group on” a private boat that Tiffany had hired. There’s also Jada’s version of the story on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (but it’s not as good).
Carmen Lynch’s Handmaid’s Tail
I like the creepiness of this video. Covid has done great things for imaginations and this is what went through the mind of the New York-based comedian Carmen Lynch when she wasn’t able to do standup comedy. Praise be!
Comedians need validation and I don’t think this video got enough. I’m sure this is funny. Or am I just a bit weird? I started following Carmen on Instagram at the beginning of this whole pandemic and I think she’s great.
Hydration is KEY
Confession: I have a big water bottle at my office (also from Aldi, $10). Tapping on a keyboard is thirsty work, you guys. Having a water bottle the size of my head allows me to be the best office person I can be. “You gotta stay hydrated!” That’s my office motto.
Also if you don’t like the idea of TikTok and think it’s something for the kids you need to snap out of it. There’s a lot of time to be wasted and a lot of genuine LOLs to be had. Stop doom scrolling the Covid news and get on TikTok. People are actually really funny, which is a blanket statement you’ll believe once you sign up for it.
beam_me_up_softboi on Instagram
We want men to be more expressive with their feelings but not too much. Amirite? It’s a tough balance, fellas. But you better not get it wrong otherwise your lame-ass poetic texts are going to appear on this Instagram page.
This account is the ultimate homage to meta indie boy seductors out there. But have you heard of the Killers? Ladies this is how far we’ve come #girlpower.
Betman TV
Betman very much appeals to my inner-bogan Queensland roots. I’ve been following ever since he started and look, he’s never really taken off considering how long he’s been pumping out these vids, but I admire his perseverance – and every time I watch his recaps I giggle.
For those interested in Rugaby Loigue his latest stuff is on Facebook and there is some older content on Instagram – maybe he couldn’t be bothered to update it, I dunno. Who cares? If you love Betman like I do, you’ll find him.
Mark Normand: Out to Lunch comedy special
When I saw other comics go crazy for the release of the US comedian Mark Normand’s special on YouTube I was like “mmmk let’s maybe check this out”. There aren’t many comedy specials I watch all the way through but this is one of them. It’s free online and has almost got 3m views on YouTube – and he is a self-declared Asian supremacist all the way so I’m onboard. Comedy!
Rose Callaghan: Niranga Finally Gets Screentime
After watching Mafs and the entire season of MasterChef Back to Win in the first six months of the year, my intellect had a chat with me: “Hey, maybe stop watching reality television, you big stupid head.” So I haven’t watched Bachelor in Paradise this season but I still know there’s a lack of diversity on the show. What? On the Bachelor? Nooooo. Don’t the producers know that diversity is like the hottest thing right now?
This video by the Sydney comic Rose Callaghan featuring Suren Jayemanne and John Robles accurately depicts what goes on behind the scenes for the show’s few POC cast members.
Lil Stace’s dad
If you’re missing your family, especially your dad, this Aussie TikTok account has a lot of Big Dad Energy. Lil Stace takes videos of her dad and posts them online. Daddy issues sure, but good ones. It’s the big warm family hug, the misplaced dad kiss that might get your lips, and the wholesome content we need right now.
This made me miss my dad. I just wish he lived closer to me so I could make videos of him and exploit him online.
• Lizzy Hoo features in the Sydney Opera House’s online standup series Humour Us, which is streaming here
