Simon Taylor: the 10 funniest things I have ever seen (on the internet)

Asking someone to list the funniest things they’ve ever seen on the internet should be an official tool for psychological evaluation. I imagine a therapist could determine their client is severely sociopathic just by knowing that they don’t erupt into spasms of unstoppable laughter when watching videos of squirrels riding tiny jet skis. I mean, come on.

So below is a rather intimate insight into my psyche in the form of viral videos. Let’s put me in the therapist’s chair, shall we?

1. I Smell Like Beef

What were your first words? I think what gets me about this video is the repetition. It’s as if this toddler is trying to communicate a whole range of emotions and human experiences with the one sentence she knows. Bellissimo.

2. This animal documentary narration

Let’s get away from narrators who sound like they are reading a textbook. This clip features the kind of enthusiasm I want in a nature documentary. The woman here is legitimately enthralled by the bird mating ritual and I desperately want her to have her own series on the Discovery Channel.

3. Game Changer

This is my favourite gameshow of all time. The game changes every episode, but in this one, they require the players to improvise a scene given to them in the moment. I’ll say no more other than the comedic timing of these actors is impeccable.

4. Off to school

Get this kid a comedy special. She has more character than a Disney movie. I wish I was this excited to go to school when I was a kid. Plus, she has quite a repertoire of dance moves.

5. This TikTok duet

I’m not one for cringe comedy and I’m certainly not into teasing people. However, the comedic enginuity of this video is just so impressive you can’t help but cackle. Keep in mind when watching that each new video is a completely independent person adding their own idea to the gag. I’m in awe of this global collaboration.

6. Nathan Fielder: the best burger in Los Angeles

Nathan Fielder’s new show The Rehearsal is big right now, but his first show, Nathan For You, was on Comedy Central a few years back. Fielder is brilliant at staying deadpan during the ridiculous scenarios he creates. This is just a part of one episode, but damn it is hilariously awkward.

7. A dad impersonates his daughter

I don’t use TikTok. I like to wait three months to see which videos are so funny they make their way on to my Instagram feed. I’m glad this one did. The father’s performance in this video is Oscar-worthy, in my opinion, and the daughter is a great sport for posting it.

8. Trying to be quiet at 2am

By the time I get home from doing gigs, my wife is already asleep. This video demonstrates exactly why I’ve given up on trying to have a snack before bed or even get a glass of water. Ridiculous and yet relatable.

9. Gambler cat

I love a friendly game of poker, but damn, I would lose to this cat.

10. Am I pregnant?

For someone who has had books published, I’m a terrible speller. If it weren’t for autocorrect and a team of underpaid editors, this article wouldn’t be about the “internet” but probably the “interest”. Hearing how so many people tried to spell the word pregnant is cathartic and gut-bustingly funny.