Viral Hooks
Trending short videosComedian performs celebrity spokesman impression.
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@makesomenoise

Instagram · Clip

@makesomenoise If not for Tim Curry, Brennan wouldn't have gotten a job at CollegeHumor, and Dropout would be a very different place today... #makesomenoise #timcurry #brennanleemulligan

View original on Instagram

The edit1 shot · 1 text
Shots Text1:18

Performance

Views
3.5M
Likes
334.8K
Comments
701
Engagement
9.5%
Outlier
29×
Length · 26 Aug 2026
1:18

Video #39987 · Clip

Comedian performs celebrity spokesman impression.from @makesomenoise

[01]

Overview

A comedian, Brennan Lee Mulligan, performs an extended comedic impression of actor Tim Curry as the new spokesman for the retail store Hot Topic, based on a prompt from the host. He improvises a commercial, referencing products and pop culture relevant to the brand, while the video cuts to the host and other contestants reacting with laughter. The video concludes with a meta-discussion revealing that this specific impression was part of the creator's original audition that got him hired, effectively telling his own origin story with the company.

[02]

Simple outline

  1. 1Present absurd premise
  2. 2Execute with escalating absurdity
  3. 3Incorporate meta-reference
  4. 4Validate with external reaction
  5. 5Reveal satisfying backstory

[03]

Related videos

[04]

Classification

Format
Concepts
Character ImpersonationOrigin Story
Elements
Reaction ShotJump CutDynamic Word-by-Word CaptionsMulti-Camera

[05]

Hook analysis

What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds

Title hook · 45%

HOT TOPIC'S NEW SPOKESMAN IS TIM CURRY

Verbal hook · 25%

Hot topics. New spokesperson is Tim Curry.

Visual hook · 30%

The video opens on a full-screen text card with the prompt, then cuts to a host on a brightly colored, vibrant game show set, immediately establishing a high-energy, performance-based context.

[06]

Hook template

Steal this for your own video

[Brand]'s New Spokesman Is [Unexpected Celebrity]

  • — Cracker Barrel's New Spokesman Is Marilyn Manson
  • — LinkedIn's New Spokesman Is The Joker
  • — Whole Foods' New Spokesman Is Gordon Ramsay's Evil Twin

[07]

Hook and payoff

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

Hook

An on-screen text card or verbal statement presents a highly specific and unusual creative challenge, immediately establishing a comedic or intriguing 'what if' scenario that the viewer wants to see resolved.

Payoff

The performance is validated by an external reaction (e.g., laughter, applause, a judge's decision), followed by a brief explanation that reveals a surprising or meaningful backstory to the performance itself, adding a final layer of emotional satisfaction and context.

[08]

Narrative framework

The structural pattern this video runs on

Framework

The Escalating Performance

A performer is given an absurd creative prompt and must execute it in a single, escalating take, culminating in a meta-reference and a satisfying reveal about the performance's origin.

  1. 1

    The Instant Character Lock

    The performer immediately delivers a concise, powerful execution of the core premise, proving their ability and establishing the tone with a simple, direct example.

  2. 2

    The Niche Deep Dive

    The performer demonstrates deep knowledge of the subject matter by referencing specific, non-obvious details, adding a layer of authenticity and targeted humor that rewards in-group audiences.

  3. 3

    The Tonal Juxtaposition

    The performer combines the established character/tone with a completely opposite style (e.g., formal language, corporate speak), creating a strong comedic contrast.

  4. 4

    The Zeitgeist Connection

    The performer connects the premise to a current, relevant cultural trend or event, making the performance feel timely and clever.

  5. 5

    The Direct Address

    The performer breaks the fourth wall of the 'performance' to directly address the audience or a specific person, increasing intimacy and intensity.

  6. 6

    The Full-Circle Meta-Reference

    The performer incorporates an element from the immediate environment or a shared history with the other participants into the performance, creating a powerful inside joke and a sense of culmination.

Themes

  • Impersonation
  • Satire
  • Nostalgia
  • Origin Story

Techniques

  • Improv comedy
  • Character acting
  • Meta-commentary

Post caption

If not for Tim Curry, Brennan wouldn't have gotten a job at CollegeHumor, and Dropout would be a very different place today... #makesomenoise #timcurry #brennanleemulligan

Text overlays

  • title · beginning

    HOT TOPIC'S NEW SPOKESMAN IS TIM CURRY

Transcript

Hot topics. New spokesperson is Tim Curry. Chain wallets. Shirts with Rank Skillington, that bony, bony boy. How would you like to see an influx of customers solely due to the sudden rapid success of has been hotel. We're back, baby. Oh my god. All the freaky little goths who smell like Fido bags come trudging through our doors once more. Adventure tier? Spending time, you saucy mains! For a limited time only, come and get your Josh Reuben no problem crew neck sweatshirt. Here. Get him. Holy shit. Taking it full circle. Bad Stone Curry impression was in the really submitted to college humor. Yes. Yes my god. And this is why I first got excited about it. I am only here because of an impression called Tim Curry eating pizza. It's true. Specifically, the button of it was him going, there's nothing I love more than a hot crisscross.