Problem Solved
YouTube · 2024 · 60 min
A fast-paced hour of cultural skepticism from the internet-famous comedian.
Ryan Long built his massive online audience by pointing out the absurd contradictions of modern culture, and he brings that exact skepticism to the stage here. He operates with a restless, blunt energy, targeting topics like the social politics of modern relationships, why women are obsessed with witchcraft, and the sheer work it takes to pretend to have approved opinions. His best bits, like a premise about a blind detective trying to solve a crime, translate his viral sketch sensibilities into physical, fast-paced stage comedy. Self-financed and released for free on YouTube in October 2024, the special caught Long at a high point in his digital-media career, largely driven by his podcast, The Boyscast. Fans and online comedy boards received it as a significant step up from his earlier stand-up releases, praising how well his online persona translated to a traditional hour-long set.
The set list
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Opening by polling the crowd on the most divisive social and geopolitical controversies
Immediately pushes the audience's comfort level by asking who they support between Israel and Palestine and demanding they rank races from favorite to least favorite.
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Protesting brands versus professional wrestling
Argues that people protest Bud Light and Chick-fil-A over social issues, but no one protests pro wrestling because it provides the exact right amount of gayness for both Republicans and Democrats.
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Witnessing a street altercation in New York over a breast-for-McFlurry exchange
Riffs on public transactions and women's rights to be topless, transitioning into an absurd take on public breastfeeding.
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Algorithms hijacking men's feeds with erotic content
Suggests social media algorithms deliberately push pictures of naked women at men reading MK Ultra and Federal Reserve conspiracy theories to shut their third eye.
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Hiring professional male movers
Details how deeply emasculating it feels for a man to pay muscular movers to handle furniture in his own apartment, turning the homeowner into a helpless Trad wife offering lemonade.
How it plays
- Tone
- Dark, satirical, cheeky, and provocative.
- On stage
- Edgy, irreverent, and energetic with rock-star aesthetic vibes, delivering sharp, fast-paced punchlines.
- Pace
- Fast-paced joke delivery with rapid punchlines.
- About
- Gender dynamics, Modern culture wars and protests, Internet algorithms and social media, Masculinity and emasculation, Breastfeeding and public social norms
What the critics said
Audience reception on Letterboxd praised his fast joke writing and unapologetic punchline structure, though some viewers disliked his delivery style and perceived the edge as grating.
In the room: Energetic club setting with an engaged audience actively participating in early crowdwork.
Backstory
Released independently and directly to YouTube rather than behind a traditional network or platform paywall, monetized directly via Patreon, touring, and merchandise.
Details
- Released
- Runtime
- 60 min
- Where
- YouTube
- Topics
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