Kurt Braunohler
He yells deeply stupid jokes with the joy of a lottery winner.
2 specials · 2014–2017
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Kurt Braunohler bounds onto the stage like a man who just received fantastic news and cannot wait to share it. He has a booming voice, a wide smile, and the haircut of a junior executive. When he tells a joke, he leans forward, grips the microphone stand, and practically yells his punchlines out of sheer enthusiasm. He does not do deadpan. If a premise is particularly ridiculous, he will laugh at his own setup, unable to contain how delighted he is by the stupidity of the thought.
Specials
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Kurt Braunohler undermines his own authority with humiliating confessions.
Comedy Central · 59 min
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Comedy Central Stand-Up Presents
A 2014 television set covering airport security, biscotti, and adolescent disasters.
Comedy Central · 30 min
On stage
In an era of quiet, introspective comedy, he commits fully to the elaborate prank. He is the guy who hired a skywriter to spell “How do I land?” over Los Angeles, and the comic who hosted the influential alternative room Hot Tub alongside Kristen Schaal for two decades. Peers watch him because he invests massive amounts of time and resources into gags that serve no practical purpose.
His standup runs on the same frequency. He builds long, winding stories that sound like they are heading toward a profound realization, only to swerve into a deeply dumb callback. He plays the confident idiot with ease, detailing terrible decisions—like whispering insults to his own baby—with a cheerful lack of shame. When a joke needs a smaller, quieter delivery, his sheer volume can sometimes flatten the moment. Subtlety is rarely the point. He wants the joke to be as big and loud as the performance.
He spent his early career in New York staging chaotic street performances in giant animal costumes, which explains his total comfort turning the physical world into a playground for a bit.
Turning points
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Skywriting How Do I Land Over LA
Braunohler crowdfunded a stunt hiring a pilot to write 'HOW DO I LAND?' across the Los Angeles sky, creating a viral moment that framed his debut album.
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Charity Jet Ski Trek to New Orleans
He rode a jet-ski all the way from Chicago to New Orleans to raise money for charity, embodying his signature blend of absurdity and goodwill.
At a glance
Podcasts
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Bananas · co-host
Kurt Braunohler and Scotty Landes discuss strange, fascinating, and lighthearted weird news from around the world.
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The K Ohle with Kurt Braunohler · host
A podcast featuring experimental comedic segments and guest interviews.
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Emotional Hangs · co-host
A spin-off of The K Ohle where Braunohler and DeRosa engage in candid comedic conversations.
Also on screen
- 2012–2025
- Bob's Burgers
- Bunk
- The Big Sick
- The Good Place
- Mr. Mayor
A clip to start with
There’s No Good Reason to Climb Mount Everest - Kurt Braunohler