The funniest thing I've ever done

Have you ever seen someone ACTUALLY slip on a banana peel?

It's hard knowing that you've peaked. But I’ve known for a long time—since before I started Chortle, before I even started writing comedy. I’ve already been as funny as it’s possible for me to be.

That’s because one time, I slipped on a banana peel. And it’s on video.¹

It’s me, eating shit.

Don’t worry, this image isn’t a spoiler—because it turns out you can’t spoil someone slipping on a banana peel. In fact, this video was recorded over fifteen years ago (hence the low quality), but it’s still funny every single time I watch it. Turns out the developers of MarioKart were really something when they invented bananas.

Here’s the backstory: I was studying musical theatre at a university that recently tragicomically went bankrupt. We were assigned to create performances in a wide variety of musical genres — i.e., Gilbert & Sullivan, Fosse, etc. For the Vaudeville unit, I decided to sing “Lydia the Tattooed Lady” dressed as Groucho Marx, but we had to have a “Vaudeville act” in addition to our song.

The act I landed on (which I know for certain I stole from a contestant on Last Comic Standing, but regrettably can’t find a link to) was this: I pull a banana peel from my coat pocket and show it off like it’s part of a magnificent circus trick, then drop it on the floor. I humorously tease the audience by pretending to slip on it. Then I wave the whole thing off to start my song, at which point I “actually” slip on the banana peel. RIMSHOT!

However, I was supposed to “actually” slip on the banana peel, not actually slip on the banana peel. In retrospect, it’s a moment that’s both humiliating and magnificent. A terrible failure and a glorious success. I hope I’m not building it up too much, but in the dozens of times I’ve shared this in person over the years, no one has ever been disappointed.

You can watch it below—if you’re a paid subscriber. I had no choice but to put it behind the paywall! It may only be 22 seconds long, and I may (ok definitely) look like a complete idiot, but it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever done.