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When you look back at the whirlpool of calamity known as 2016 the term “laugh out loud” probably isn’t the first phrase that pops into the old noggin. While expressions like “dumpster fire” and “impending armageddon” have been bandied about, 2016 also had its fair share of laughs. From hilarious TV moments to side-splitting stand-up specials, 2016 was an exceptional year for comedy. These sixteen moments exemplified the importance of humor in our day to day lives by making even the most terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day bearable. Thanks, comedy!
This list isn’t here to elicit a simple chuckle, no sir. We’re talking full guffaws. An uncontrollable fit of laughter that causes your co-worker to begin constructing an email to the human resources department only to eventually delete the draft after taking a pensive moment of reflection in which they realize that we’re all just doing our best to get by in this crazy merry-go-round known as life. These are the pop culture moments that forced you into performing that old comedy chestnut known as the spit-take.
So let’s all hit the pause button on the insanity of everyday life and celebrate sixteen of the very best laugh out loud moments of 2016!
Jeb Bush: Presidential Hopeful to Uber Driver
One of the most surprising cameo appearances of the year was Jeb Bush at the Emmy Awards. While this was more “laugh out loud WOW” then “laugh out loud HA,” Bush’s willingness to poke fun at himself after the lunacy of the Republican primaries was certainly admirable. Besides, no list of greatest lols would be complete without Jeb Bush.
“If you run a positive campaign, the voters ultimately will make the right choice.”
'Sebastian Maniscalco: Why Would You Do That?'
Premiering on Showtime last October, Sebastian Maniscalco: Why Would You Do That? was by far one of the best stand-up specials this year. Maniscalco continues to do what he does best, pointing out the absurdities in the world today from Uber to nicknames for your grandparents to having to take off your shoes at a dinner party. The bit about his grandma making lasagnas in the basement made me LOL like crazy because as many Italians might confirm, it’s just so funny because it’s true. — Lea Palmieri
Where to stream 'Sebastian Maniscalco: Why Would You Do That?'
The 'Boston Accent' Trailer on 'Late Night with Seth Meyers'
Paying homage to films like The Town and The Departed, Seth Meyers gifted us with the trailer for the most Bostony film of all time with the uproarious Boston Accent. All of your favorite Boston archetypes are present and accounted for as Meyers delivers a tour de force of Boston-centric performances deserving of an extra large coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts.
“As with all movies set in Boston, I spent less time paying attention to the plot and more time thinking, ‘That accent is good,’ or ‘Yikes, what’s that guy doing?’
Brock Baker is the Number One 'Paul Blart: Mall Cop' Fan
I don’t know Brock Baker personally, but this fifteen second video of the guy declaring his eternal allegiance to the Paul Blart: Mall Cop franchise has given me so much joy this year. Warning! This video will have you humming “Paul, Paul Blart Mall Cop” for the rest of the day.
'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt:' Bunny and Kitty
Bunny and Kitty is a perfect example of the wonderful absurdity of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. I honestly don’t know why I find Bunny and Kitty so damn delightful, but some things — humor, why people enjoy jigsaw puzzles, math — just can’t be explained with logic. Ellie Kemper’s intense commitment to both her song and the idea of a bunny and kitty teaming up to solve mysteries makes this bit that much better.
'Desus & Mero'
If you’re sick of late night hosts having basically the same jokes about all the same stories, I can promise you that is never the case when it comes to the refreshing voices of Desus & Mero on Viceland.
The Bronx natives bring a new, usually very un-PC perspective to politics, sports, celebrity, memes, and more, that is always, always funny. This moment particularly had me laughing, probably because it’s truer than any of us want to believe, but also because these two always find something else to make fun of in serious situations, something unexpected and probably ridiculous, but hey, they’re creating some real comedy.
Their daily half hour show is more than worth watching, especially when life bums you out, because hanging with these guys equals immediate LOLs. — Lea Palmieri
The Great Leg Washing Debate On 'You're The Worst'
Not only did You’re the Worst provide us with one of the best seasons of television this year, but they also gave us the great leg washing debate of 2016! In the Season 3 premiere, Jimmy discovers that Gretchen doesn’t wash her legs when taking a shower. Evidently, this is a thing. A weird, disgusting thing.
Jimmy: You take showers and you don’t wash your legs?
Gretchen: What am I gonna do? Like, bend down and… wash my legs? Who has the time?
Jimmy: Yesterday, you spent two hours drawing a maze.
Gretchen: Yeah, and how do you think I had the time to draw that sick-ass maze?
The Grinder vs. The Grinder on (Duh) 'The Grinder'
My mind’s still sufficiently boggled over the cancellation of Fox’s The Grinder. Boggled, I say!
Rapid fire jokes, clever meta humor, Fred freakin Savage, we should be enjoying Season 2 right now! But, alas, we’re not. Let’s celebrate this canceled too soon gem by honoring the superbly written “Grinder V Grinder” episode in which Dean Sanderson and Timothy Olyphant square off in a mock trial to determine which fictional lawyer is closer to being an actual lawyer in real life.
Yep, it’s as ridiculous and as incredible as it sounds.
“I am here to prove that just because a person is not something, does not mean that he is not closer to being the thing he is not than another person.”
Captain Holt's Balloon Arch Vindication on 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'
Andre Braugher’s stern yet lovable Captain Raymond Holt possesses the rare gift of being able to turn any combination of words into an uproarious punchline. In the Season 4 episode “Monster in the Closet,” Holt creates, excuse me, births, a magnificent balloon arch for Rosa and Pimento’s wedding. Unfortunately, his artistic creation isn’t appreciated by Santiago, bursting both Holt’s optimism and his carefully arranged assortment of balloons.
At the end of the episode, Rosa walks into Holt’s office to discover her boss recreating his exquisite balloon arch as Holt receives his sweet, sweet, hilarious vin-di-cat-iiiooooonn.
Stream 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine's' "Monster in the Closet" on Hulu
'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend's' 'Oh My God I Think I Like You' Song
As any Lonely Island fan will tell you, musical comedy is elevated from good to great by the melodic quality of the song. Much like the rock anthem “Jack Sparrow,” Rachel Bloom’s catchy ode to developing romantic feelings for someone after engaging in a purely sexual relationship is equal parts hilarious and harmonious.
“Is there an IUD that can stop the image of you and me? Getting married on a hillside surrounded by ducks and then we get into a rowboat.”
Silicon Valley: Richard vs. The Desk
Is it gauche to laugh at the misfortune of a fellow human being? Is it gauche to use the word gauche? The answer to these and 99% of all questions is an emphatic WHO CARES?!
In a season full of cerebral laugh-out-loud moments, Silicon Valley delivered a gut-punch of physical comedy with Thomas Middleditch’s unexpected battle with Action Jack Barker’s desk.
All and all, it was pretty badass. Until it wasn’t.
'Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep'
As a remedy for insomnia, I give Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep a C -.
As an unpredictable, laugh-out-loud gift from the comedy gods, I give Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep an A +.
“In my opinion, falling asleep is one of the best feelings there is. Even better than harmonizing with your boys. Oh, you like my new sweater? I’m trying to do more style.”
Also, if you’re looking for a new holiday special for 2016, Joe Pera Helps You Find the Perfect Christmas Tree is essential viewing.
Ben Schwartz's Botched Marriage Proposal on 'The Earliest Show'
Funny or Die’s The Earliest Show was my favorite web series of 2016.
Starring improv veterans Ben Schwartz and Lauren Lapkus, the high-energy send-up of an early morning talk show was a capital letter DELIGHT. While the entire series is essential viewing, the botched marriage proposal from Ben Schwartz’s maniacally upbeat Josh is a cringe-worthy joy to watch. The dissonance between Josh’s optimism and his girlfriend delivering a hard no is as heart-breaking as it is hilarious.
Lauren Lapkus’ “That went a little awry” is the perfect button to an incredible episode.
Jonah Ryan and Richard Splett's Relationship on 'Veep'
There was no better comedic pairing on television than Timothy Simons’ Jonah Ryan and Sam Richardson’s Richard Splett on Veep.
Splett’s good-natured (and often very literal) optimism is the perfect foil for the tsunami of vulgarity the rest of the cast of Veep so readily spews. While Jonah and Richard have enough laugh-out-loud moments to fill their own list, the pair’s (NSFW) banter from the mock debate and Season 5 episode “Thanksgiving” are perfect examples of exceptional television.
“Well, it did raise a lot of awareness for whatever ALS is.”
Abbi and Ilana FREAK OUT Over Meeting Hillary Clinton on 'Broad City'
Abbi and Ilana’s reaction to meeting Hillary Clinton is one of my favorite moments of the year. To Abbi’s hilariously awkward run of personal attributes to their quick celebratory kiss, Broad City once again delivered one of the funniest moments of the year. Bonus points for the use of a female inflatable air dancer.
“Hello. Proud demo… crat. College. Aquarius. I pegged.”
David S. Pumpkins
C’mon. You just knew Tom Hanks was taking down the top spot on this list.
That eerie, beautifully hypnotic David S. Pumpkins theme song still haunts my dreams. And my nightmares! What can I say, David S. Pumpkins really is his own thing. His own delightfully strange thing.
Any questions?
