10 Ridiculously Funny Things To Make You Laugh Right Now

When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? Don’t we all need that kind of release right now?

If Covid lockdowns and the never-ending news cycle have got you feeling deep shades of blue — Prussian HEX #0031532, anyone? Instead, let’s enjoy a carefully curated Top 10 List of hilarious and timeless clips guaranteed to make you laugh like a hyena — or a banshee. Because right now, we can all use a pile of hearty chuckles, right? Before we dive right in, first, we will explore the many benefits of laughing.

What Are The Benefits Of Laughter?

Humans are the only species built for laughter. And there are a ton of benefits to support our need to inject humor into our lives. The Mayo Clinic reports both short and long term benefits:

Short Term:

• Stimulate many organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response, and it can increase and then decrease your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
• Soothe tension. Laughter can also stimulate circulation and aid muscle relaxation, which can help reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

Long Term:

• Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can affect your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. By contrast, positive thoughts can release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more severe illnesses.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people. Improve your mood. Many people experience depression, sometimes due to chronic illnesses. Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may make you feel happier.

One of my favorite long-term benefits is developing the ability to cultivate your sense of humor. For anyone who knows me well, I LOVE pranks and practical jokes. Salt in coffee, anyone? Or hiding and scaring people is a classic. Now that we know the benefits let’s shift gears and wander through the carefully curated Top 10 list of funny content selected by yours truly.

Top 10 List Of Ridiculously Funny Content

Before we dive right in, let me start by saying this list neither ascends nor descends; each entry receives a solid 10/10. Let me also forewarn you; there are a lot of classic SNL clips. And depending on your favorite style of comedy, some content you may give a solid high five or poo-poo some of the selection. Let’s find out.

1. SmartLess Podcast and POST-CAST

"SmartLess” with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett is a podcast that connects and unites people from all walks of life to learn about shared experiences through thoughtful dialogue and organic hilarity. A pleasant surprise: in each episode of SmartLess, one of the hosts reveals his mystery guest to the other two.

For me, the podcast represents a constant stream of entertainment during lock-down life. I feel an instant connection to the guys; I love their endless tirades and witty banter. Bateman, Hayes, and Arnett are all Hollywood veterans in their own right, have long-standing relationships between themselves, and have the pull to bring in any Hollywood guest they want. Heck, even George Clooney joined them for an episode. I love the unscripted nature and casual approach drenched in hilarity. If you haven’t listened yet, I highly recommend adding this to your staple comedy diet — rich in saltiness.

Favorite Podcast Episodes:

• Stephen Colbert — take a wild ride through the brain of Mr. Stephen Colbert (host, comedian, pro skier). The gang examines Jason’s ‘pleasant hostility,’ Stephen’s Lord of the Rings memorabilia, and a few ‘100% true’ stories. Side note — Colbert’s story about Conan O’Brian on a ski trip is LEGENDARY and UNBELIEVABLE. I’m curious what Conan thinks of Colbert spilling the beans on his dropping the turds story.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus — The exquisite and incomparable Julia Louis-Dreyfus joins us this week on the show. Recipient of the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Julia has won more Emmy awards than any other human being.
• Martin Short — Strap on / strap in for one of the funniest men in all the land, Martin Short. He joins the podcast to start the year with billowy laughs, his own true-Hollywood stories, the “Nine Categories” he lives by, with much, much more.

Suppose you love the podcast, head on over to YouTube for the POST-CAST. Think of this as the afterparty from the first segment.

POST-CAST episodes: Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman & Will Arnett go LIVE on Facebook & Twitter with the video posted on YouTube for their “POST-CAST” — an end-of-the-week live stream where they talk about the last episode of “SmartLess,” they also preview the next podcast episode and take questions in real-time from fans & listeners.

And before we leave SmartLess, I must admit a guilty pleasure. I love listening to the Autozone commercials. Yes, you heard me correct — Autozone. And if you become a regular listener of SmartLess you will know exactly what I mean.

2. David Pumpkin, SNL

OK. David Pumpkin. Where to begin? Let’s start by stating that no one at SNL nor Tom Hanks had any idea his character David Pumpkin would become a viral sensation, one that continues to hold the testament of time. Pumpkin’s character is not based on anyone; in particular. He’s random without any clear purpose or intent. And when the skit emerged four years ago, the internet sold out of David Pumpkin Halloween customs. No one can articulate the magic of David Pumpkin; he’s simply a lot of fun!

3. KY Jelly, SNL

The first time I saw the KY Jelly skit, I nearly peed my pants. Who knew awkward pauses could be hilarious? KY Jelly sponsors the first of a few sports-themed sketches, this classic track and field event, featuring Carmela St. Knix. Without giving away too much of the premise, here are some of the best memorable lines:

• I love how all of Kristin Wiig's characters for these sketches have cities as last names.
• K.Y. Jelly: No foreplay today? Hey, that’s ok!
• “I’m not always right, but I’m never quite wrong.”
• “She doesn’t have bear hands, she has human hands, and bear hands are called paws.”

4. Frank of Ireland

At the time of writing this post, Frank of Ireland is a new scripted episodic show on Amazon Prime. And in real life, the show’s creators and men behind the characters of Frank and Doofus are actual brothers — Brian Gleeson and Domhnall Gleeson. While I don’t think this style of comedy is for everyone, the absurdity and outlandishness are the real draws.

Premise: At 32-years-old, Frank is newly single and still lives at home with his mother. A self-proclaimed musician with a tenuous hold on reality, his loyal best friend, Doofus, has the full-time job of clearing up the debris left in his wake.

5. Bill Freak’n Murray

Mr. Bill Murray deserves an entire category reserved for his authentic self. Ten years ago, I stood beside him at a cocktail party and was too terrified to speak. What do you say to a living legend? “Um, I love your work?”

Here, let me leave you his 1–800-number. And one night, if you have too many glasses of champers, give him a ring and leave a film pitch. See if he calls you back. If he does, that will be one hell of a story to tell your grand kids.

1-(800) 764–1298

Note — I tried calling, and the “user was busy.”

If you loved the original 1984 Ghostbusters like everyone else on the planet and were a massive fan of Dr. Peter Venkman, you may like the trailer to the upcoming Jason Reitman 2021 version. Here, Reitman junior goes back to his father Ivan Reitman’s roots in arguably a more authentic reboot of the early eighties cultural phenomenon hit.

6. Puppet Class with Seth MacFarlane, SNL

Another immortal SNL skit with a massive cult following on YouTube and Anthony Peter Coleman may arguably be one of the most fantastic characters in SNL history.

Premise: An instructor (Seth MacFarlane) tries to keep the class on track, but war vet Anthony Peter Coleman (Bill Hader) has a hard time shedding his PTSD while performing with his puppet, Tony. [Season 38, 2012]

Memorable lines you’ll repeat over and over, driving your family crazy:

• “I’m Clark, and I like biscuits and waffles.”
• “You’re like, intense.”
• “IS THAT WHAT YOU LIKE, DADDY’S GIRL”
• “He was another grunt in my platoon. Together we went house-to-house, spraying liquid death.”

While you’re repeating lines, check out the smoke billowing out of the puppet’s mouth.

7. Walmartians

On the topic of Walmartians, I’ve lived under a rock for the last ten years. My 71-year-old Mom enlightened me on the Walmartian phenomenon. And when I inquired as to what this is — she took me to the local Walmart at 9:30 PM on a Saturday night. And wow, my eyes opened. Did you know that people stroll around in flannel, even with exposed diapers? While I’m not in favor of demeaning people or laughing at their expense, there are many hilarious videos on YouTube. Check it out and find your favorites.

8. Zack Galifianakis

Similar to Murray, Galifianakis deserves a category. In the following mash-up, my favorite scene is when Galifianakis lies (jokes) with George Stroumboulopoulos and says he was born in Edmonton, his relative being Tim Horton. Fellow Canadians will understand.

9. Close Encounter, SNL

Arguably, the best lines in the entire history of television exist in this one skit. If you haven’t watched it by now, catch up fast!

Memorable lines:

• “I don’t think I was dealing with the top brass.”
• “Full Porky piggin it in a drafty dome.”
• “It wasn’t my worst Wednesday night.”

10. The Chicken Roaster, Seinfeld

You know you’re a Boomer or GenX when you remember the red glow on Jerry Seinfeld’s face.

The premise of “The Chicken Roaster” on Wikipedia: the 142nd episode of the sitcom Seinfeld was the eighth episode for the eighth season. It aired on November 14, 1996. The episode’s story follows the mishaps which follow when Kenny Rogers Roasters opens a branch in the characters’ neighborhood. The restaurant’s neon sign shines into Kramer’s apartment, disturbing first him and then Jerry after they switch apartments. Still, Jerry opposes Kramer’s efforts to shut the restaurant down since a college friend of his is the assistant manager at the branch.

And there we have it. Laugh as you’ve never laughed before, loosen the muscles, release the tension and pump up the endorphins. In our current world of uncertainty and struggle, we need to set aside time for laughter and lightness. Consider switching off the endless negative news cycle and turn on content sure to bring much-needed humor and a real deep guttural laugh.

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