Viral Hooks
Trending short videosBrand mascots struggle with taxi
W

@whatisnewyork

Instagram · Skit

@whatisnewyork Hailing a cab is one thing, but fitting in… #whatisnewyork #ad (@instacart)

View original on Instagram

Performance

Views
3.7M
Likes
180.6K
Comments
6.5K
Engagement
5.1%

Video #3222 · Skit

Brand mascots struggle with taxifrom @whatisnewyork

[01]

Overview

The video captures a comedic scene where three famous brand mascots—the Green Giant, the Pillsbury Doughboy, and the Kool-Aid Man—are on a city street. The Green Giant first attempts and fails to get into a yellow taxi, after which the Pillsbury Doughboy tries and struggles to fit, leading to the Kool-Aid Man pushing him into the vehicle from behind.

[02]

Simple outline

  1. 1First subject fails task
  2. 2Second subject gets stuck
  3. 3Third subject provides assistance
  4. 4Comedic group resolution

[03]

Related videos

[04]

Classification

Format
Concepts
Candid SpectacleSkit
Account

[05]

Hook analysis

What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds

Visual hook

An unusual and attention-grabbing scene of multiple, large, recognizable brand mascots (Green Giant, Pillsbury Doughboy) on a busy city street attempting to get into a yellow taxi.

[07]

Hook and payoff

The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back

Hook

Present an unusual or oversized subject attempting a common, physically restrictive action, immediately creating a visual question of 'how will they do that?'

Payoff

The immediate problem is solved through a chaotic group action, delivering a satisfying and humorous physical comedy punchline.

[08]

Narrative framework

The structural pattern this video runs on

Framework

The Escalating Group Struggle

A sequence of characters attempts a simple but physically awkward task, with each attempt escalating the comedic failure until a group effort leads to a chaotic resolution.

  1. 1

    The Initial Failure

    The first subject attempts the action and fails or gives up, clearly defining the central physical obstacle for the viewer.

  2. 2

    The Follow-Up Attempt

    A second, similarly challenged subject attempts the same action, creating narrative repetition and building anticipation for a similar or different outcome.

  3. 3

    The Escalating Predicament

    The second subject's attempt results not in a simple failure, but in them becoming physically stuck, transforming the problem from an inability to complete the task to a new, more complex situation.

  4. 4

    The Collaborative Intervention

    A third subject enters the frame to help the stuck subject, shifting the narrative from individual struggle to a group effort.

Themes

  • Humor
  • Relatability
  • Brand collaboration

Techniques

  • Physical comedy
  • Guerilla marketing feel

Trends

  • Brand mascot crossover

Post caption

Hailing a cab is one thing, but fitting in… #whatisnewyork #ad (@instacart)

Brand mascots struggle with taxi | Viral Hooks