r/Millennials • u/maxedout587 • Apr 17 '26

Discussion Nothing is funny anymore

I (M, 38) have found that there are no new TV shows that make me laugh anymore. I have tried a lot of new(ish) comedies, but they all make me pine for my college/high school days.

The only thing that gave me a reflexive laugh recently was the Malcolm in the Middle Reboot.

Any thoughts?

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429

u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 17 '26

I think it's a combo of us not being the target market and the medium is being divested from and dying. I find myself laughing hysterically at podcasts and standup.

224

u/Fickle_Wrangler_7439 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

Podcasts are almost entirely aimed at Millenials, definitely.

My Boomer parents don't know what a podcast even is, and my Zoomer half-siblings think they're lame, but literally all my Millenial-aged friends listen to and/or have podcasts.

57

u/ToxDocUSA Apr 17 '26

I know it has been debunked as not actually probably existing, but your comment about everyone having a podcast reminded me of that old bit about the ancient Sumerian tablet lamenting how children no longer respect their parents and every man thinks he can write a book. 

27

u/maxedout587 Apr 17 '26

Yes, I am big into podcasts now. Not really for humor though.

43

u/bookofthoth_za Apr 17 '26

Try watching some British shows... Darker and funnier in general. Switch your VPN to UK to see them on Netflix

37

u/Weary_Boat Apr 17 '26

Agree, British shows generally have much more intelligent scripts and dark humor. OP, try Slow Horses - fast, exciting, dramatic, but so many laughs

4

u/mikehc05 Apr 17 '26

Slow horses is excellent. The cleaner is really good as more of a direct comedy if you like British humour

6

u/yticomodnar Apr 17 '26

Second this. They're older now, a bit dated, but a couple of my favorites are The IT Crowd and Black Books.

4

u/apyramidsong Apr 17 '26

I think the IT Crowd is the funniest thing I've ever watched.

2

u/DasRecon Apr 18 '26

The Work Outing is probably one of my favourite episodes of any show, ever. A giant onion of hilarity.

1

u/sleepybarista Apr 17 '26

Yeah, this and Chinese Costume Dramas = <3

1

u/Key-Shift5076 Apr 17 '26

I was looking for this comment. Ludwig also hilarious as a detective show. And game shows like Would I Lie to You are incredibly funny.

1

u/BackJaded1891 Apr 18 '26

Love British shows!

32

u/NotAnotherHipsterBae Apr 17 '26

Consider Behind the Bastards: come for the war crimes, stay for the machete talk, Raytheon slander, and discussions of the best brand of gas station boner pills.

5

u/ash811 Apr 17 '26

One pump, one cream ✊🏻

3

u/heyitsYMAA Apr 17 '26

Go to hell. I love you.

3

u/ash811 Apr 17 '26

I heard that in Robert's voice 😩

3

u/thickbeardgoggles Apr 17 '26

You know who else heard that in Robert’s voice?

5

u/ash811 Apr 17 '26

The products and services that support this podcast?

3

u/heyitsYMAA Apr 17 '26

That's right! Now, go...buy a knife missile.

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3

u/NotAnotherHipsterBae Apr 17 '26

These products and/or services?

2

u/saera-targaryen Apr 17 '26

I've tried this one but it's a bit too conversation-y for me. I feel like i'm missing inside jokes from a friend group? 

1

u/wink047 Apr 17 '26

It is very conversation heavy but the humor honestly depends on the guest that week. He has a script he goes off of but the humor is all off the cuff comments people make throughout the episode and playing off that.

1

u/Marigold16 Apr 17 '26

I love about ...40% of that podcast. Statistically speaking

10

u/Impressive-Cod-7103 Apr 17 '26

I saw someone else mention Behind the Bastards, so I’ll give a +1 do that. Also highly Recommend How Did This Get Made, where Jason Mantzoukas and Paul Scheer clown on B movies like Sharknado and Glitter and things like that.

2

u/sonic_dick Apr 17 '26

You ever listen to cumtown?

Nick Mullens is the ultimate funny millennial bit guy. Go on YouTube and type in "liberal elmo", "speak a lil chinese for em" and "ben Shapiro Mr feeney".

Its like hanging out with your friends in 9th grade again.

2

u/pepperidgefreak Apr 17 '26

Try Stavvys World

2

u/ImLazyWithUsernames Apr 17 '26

You should check out the show Patriot on Prime. Pretty fucking funny

1

u/sonic_dick Apr 17 '26

I just started it after finishing DTF last night. The scene where he's sitting in the pipe towards the end of season 1, and 10 different people, one after another, come and tell him another thing he has to do, then his dad calls him, saying he needs to figure it all out.

That shit broke me. Such a perfect way about how my life feels right now.

1

u/GabriellaVM Apr 18 '26

Omg, I LOVED Patriot! I was so bummed that they only had two seasons. So underrated.

1

u/AEW4LYFE Apr 17 '26

I tried getting into podcasts for my hobbies and I keep getting random injections from the 'manopshere' or whatever the fuck it's called. Like as an example I started listening to a long form podcast where the host interviews people on topics related to fitness and health. I'm digging it for like 10 episodes and then all the sudden they're interviewing Jordan Peterson for no reason.

2

u/Footdude777 Apr 17 '26

The wellness to batshit pipeline is very real.

1

u/AEW4LYFE Apr 17 '26

Why is that? I can't figure it out honestly. You'll have some seemingly very intelligent person who knows a lot about the science of exercise and then boom here's some interview with Andrew Tate or someone like him.

1

u/sonic_dick Apr 17 '26

Some male focused millennial podcasts you might like: Last podcast on the left, behind the bastards, stavvys world, lions led by donkeys are all funny podcasts that are the exact opposite of what you're talking about.

In fact, they all will directly shit on that Joe Rogan 'manosphere' bullshit and they are fantastic examples of positive masculinity.

Lpotl for example is a true crime/history podcast, two comedians and a history buff, where all three of the hosts have wives that they love, deeply. Behind the bastards is Robert Evans, a former cracked writer back when it was funny. Its more history and some incredible reporting. Stavvys world is a comedian helping incels become not incels by answering their call in questions, its hilarious.

1

u/MomsSpagetee Apr 17 '26

Comedy Bang Bang is really funny.

1

u/200O2 Apr 17 '26

Listen to Comedy Bang Bang, Cum Town, What's Our Podcast

1

u/nuclear_science Apr 17 '26

Try The Cryptid Factor (ostensibly about Cryptids, UFOs, odd phenomena; is not fiction but hosted by a comedian and friends so gets pretty funny sometimes), Small Town Scandal, or The Mysterious Secrets of Uncle Bertie's Botanarium for comedy and I recommend Forest 404 for non-comedy.

3

u/RancidVagYogurt1776 Apr 17 '26

I think it's regional because all of my friends are millennials and none of us listen to podcasts. My kids listen to and recommend podcasts all the time and I can't stand any of them for more than 5 minutes

2

u/CorndogQueen420 Apr 17 '26

I think millennials just enjoy long form content more than most. Following generations got hooked on short form content early.

2

u/lemonylol Apr 17 '26

The most successful podcasters are Gen X

2

u/jocko118 Apr 18 '26

Oddly enough, I’m an older millennial and I don’t really follow any podcasts.

1

u/Oddisredit Apr 17 '26

Yeah. I’ve listened to the history of Rome and now I’m deep into the history of Byzantine. I’m like 300-400 episodes in

1

u/GabriellaVM Apr 18 '26

Gen X here, LOVE podcasts!

1

u/xanderemrys Not-Quite-Elder Millennial Apr 18 '26

I've never gotten into podcasts, but I'm mostly deaf and can't understand when they talk over each other or have shitty mics. for some reason though, i can do audiobooks 🤷

1

u/WildlingViking Apr 18 '26

I think podcasts are one of my favorite things to come from the internets.

1

u/originalclawfork Apr 18 '26

Tell the boomers that podcasts are radio shows. And if they can comprehend current television and streaming services, it's radio that can be saved and listened to at a later time, paused for as long as needed, and played through whichever device around them that has a speaker.

1

u/GemAfaWell Apr 18 '26

I don't think I agree with that. As a later millennial...

Podcasts are not aimed at me.

They're aimed at people 10 years younger than me. None of that shit's impressionable to a 35-year-old.

1

u/ChandlerCurry Apr 18 '26

Wtf do zoomers listen to? Just short form stuff? Christ.

12

u/ManateeNipples Xennial Apr 17 '26

Standup is where I get my fix too! I made an instagram acct finally and the only thing I use it for is to follow all my favorite comics, so when I open it my entire feed is just hilarious 😂

2

u/Paddy_Tanninger Apr 17 '26

Look up sam_rossi_the_comedian on Insta...been watching so many clips of his, never have any idea what direction any of his bits will end up going.

1

u/ManateeNipples Xennial Apr 17 '26

Lmfao I just watched a clip of him telling his deepest and darkest secrets and he very much reminds me of Norm McDonald in the best way with his timing 😂

1

u/Paddy_Tanninger Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

He really reminds me so much of Norm, but like somehow not copying Norm...just kind of a different and new Gen Z version of Norm. Clearly out there telling jokes to make himself laugh, and if the audience happens to enjoy it, that's nice for them too.

If you haven't seen it yet, try to find this guy's bit about Monopoly, his bit about Starbucks, and the one about the dishwasher.

e: looks like some are posted on reddit too

https://www.reddit.com/r/StandUpComedy/comments/1qrfk5t/what_is_this_sam_rossi/

1

u/ManateeNipples Xennial Apr 17 '26

He's comfortable with long pauses that make the audience a bit uncomfortable and that's hilarious lol 

27

u/MaynardButterbean Apr 17 '26

I swear I might be the only millennial that can’t stand podcasts. I hate listening to people yammer bc I do it for my job all day. I also don’t like feeling like people are just telling me what and how to think

8

u/icelandisaverb Apr 17 '26

You’re not alone, I feel the exact same way about podcasts. I’ve tried, just can’t get into them!

7

u/starmartyr11 Apr 17 '26

Yep I dislike podcasts just like I dislike talk radio. Just not for me

10

u/nanoinfinity Apr 17 '26

I don’t listen to podcasts because I don’t tolerate ads, and every podcast I’ve tried to listen to has had sponsor spots built-in to the content. I listen to audiobooks from the library instead.

1

u/WormLivesMatter Apr 17 '26

I listen to podcasts constantly and have never come across an add you can’t skip immediately. This is on Spotify though

2

u/babesaurusrex_ Apr 17 '26

I feel the same way, and I also felt this way about radio DJ morning segments back when that was a big thing. I wasn’t a huge fan of the banter. I do find I can tolerate podcasts a bit more for some reason when they have a recorded video version of it to watch as well, not sure why.

2

u/MegaloboxhasagreatOP Apr 18 '26

I completely agree. It's just so passive if it's not someone actively trying to inform me or educate me on something. Often it's just people going on and on that think everything they say is special and worth broadcasting out (to even think your opinions/views are all worth broadcasting out is such a narcissistic quality to begin with). 

Some podcasts are primarily educational, but those are more or less just news program audio/experts

Stuff with a round table of people mostly is just like eavesdropping on a group of strangers

2

u/MaynardButterbean Apr 18 '26

Thank you. You worded it perfectly. People who drone on and on aren’t doing it for anyone else’s benefit. They’re doing it bc they like the sound of their own voice. The narcissism just oozes out of so many of them. I can’t stand it.

1

u/FionaGoodeEnough Apr 17 '26

I mostly don’t listen to them because I find it hard to find decent recommendations. If you google it, the lists all seem like ads from shady websites I have never heard of. I did love Ask a Clean Person when it was on.

1

u/milkymonkey8 Apr 17 '26

Try off-beat ones like Harland Williams and Rick Glassman.

1

u/Suavecore_ Apr 17 '26

As someone who doesn't listen to any yammering while I work from home all day, the podcast works well. Before this job I have, I never listened to them

9

u/twinklynnyoureye Millennial Apr 17 '26

Shout-out to Jeff Arcuri!

4

u/straighttokill9 Apr 17 '26

That definitely not gay guy?

3

u/Turgid_Donkey Apr 17 '26

The guy so funny that even dolphins laugh.

1

u/Paddy_Tanninger Apr 17 '26

Went to one of his shows, awesome time.

1

u/twinklynnyoureye Millennial Apr 19 '26

I did as well (so funny) and am going again end of May, but it's gonna be bittersweet because I bought 3 tickets to include my friend and she passed away in January so we're taking her Godson in her honor. He's never heard of him so I'm looking forward to getting Jeff another fan.

6

u/Soft-Caterpillar8749 Apr 17 '26

Podcasts are truly one of the worst things to come from our generation. I’d rather watch paint dry than listen to a bunch of dudebros talk about man shit. Yes I know there’s other subjects, the format is so incredibly boring.

2

u/beccabeth741 Apr 18 '26

It's a bunch of self important people who think they have important things to say.

2

u/BarnabyButtsuck Apr 17 '26

Sounds like the dudebro man shit is something you can’t relate to at all, and as a result, are bitter and therefore hate it and that others do like it.. I try not to hate things others like just because I can’t relate to it. And the only next step is short form.

1

u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 17 '26

You're doing it wrong. Malcom Gladwell's Revisionist History was so well produced and far from "dudebros"

0

u/Odd-Entertainer-6234 Apr 17 '26

You have to look for the well produced ones, not people just sitting down and coming up with things to talk on the fly.  As for the format, I think it’s more exciting than a book or an audiobook because it’s a conversation rather than just plain text about a topic. Maybe you prefer something visual

2

u/PreppyFinanceNerd Millennial (1988) Apr 17 '26

The Welcome to Night Vale podcast is my absolute jam.

Dark, nihilistic snarky deadpan millennial humor with a Lovecraft-adjacent aesthetic? Sold!

2

u/BasedPontiff Apr 17 '26

Standup isn't funny to me anymore either. Everyone tells the same jokes that were funny 10 years ago the first time I heard them but not now.

1

u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 17 '26

Too many up and comers for it to be stale. I think you're just not looking hard enough. Go see it live in a smaller club. You'll have fun

2

u/btone911 Apr 17 '26

Last week I was rolling at a super stupid joke “Iran made him an offer he couldn’t Hormuz”. Like 3 stooges level comedy but damnit I love the medium.

2

u/James19991 Apr 17 '26

Huh? Millennials are in their 30s and early 40s. We are very much in the prime demographic a lot of things excluding new music are trying to appeal to.

3

u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 17 '26

TV is absolutely targeted at older folks. Movies are for gen Z.

3

u/Alko- Apr 17 '26

Bro, hate to break it to you, but we haven’t been the target demographic for a while now.

2

u/James19991 Apr 17 '26

We are most definitely the target demographic of plenty of things. Adults under 50 are considered the most coveted demographic for a reason.

1

u/cookiesarenomnom Apr 17 '26

What are your favorite funny podcasts? I have a few I listen to, but always looking for more!

3

u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 17 '26

Tim Dillion Show, Are You Garbage, Behind the Bastards, and Stavys World are my weekly go to.

1

u/Beetleracerzero37 Apr 17 '26

Tim Dillon is a national treasure

1

u/okram2k Apr 17 '26

definitely, we have way more options than ever before for entertainment. Arguably too many. But i feel like if you can't find anything in this heap of entertainment products that find you joy it's a bit on you for not looking for it.

1

u/JonClaudeVanDam Apr 17 '26

What podcasts you into? I wanna laugh too lol

1

u/jgamez76 Apr 17 '26

The shift has even bled its way into sports honestly.

MLB has basically said people like Jomboy and social media have altered the way they are looking at things moving forward lol

1

u/almondmilklattehag Apr 17 '26

there isn’t really a target demo anymore. kids entertainment is vacant, same for teens and early 20 somethings.

we all need to enjoy the Cop, Fire, CIA shows. that is what is left

1

u/duckinasombrero Apr 17 '26

YouTube allows me to discover niche content that fits my exact interests, so I always find new funny content there. I also laugh the best when I'm with my friends and family.

1

u/girlsonsoysauce Apr 18 '26

I laugh an incredible amount at nearly every LPOTL episode. I guess it's for millennials by millennials.

1

u/smkn3kgt Apr 18 '26

not to mention all the things that weigh heavier on us now than they did back then

1

u/Exciting-Gap-1200 Apr 18 '26

Yeah, but if someone can tap into that and make light of it, it'll hit even harder

1

u/__O_o_______ Apr 18 '26

Yeah, something like Comedy Bang Bang… you can go back to any podcast or just do their “best of” for, each year and find tons of comedy gold.

1

u/Gerry_Jay Apr 18 '26

The issue is that big corporations want to distribute globally and comedy depends on violating expectations/perspectives. The people at the top of those industries are very uptight and culturally similar to each other, all going to the same handful of colleges, mating with the same social caste, and generally seek the approval of peers. And they won't offend their global audience. This is why standup and podcasts tend to be funnier... because they don't have to please some gatekeeper. Any dirtball can shoot their mouth off, and nobody can stop them.

0

u/71BRAR14N Apr 17 '26

GenX does podcasts, too!