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[Hilarious] Rhythm Gags That Kill at Parties and Performances

[Hilarious] Rhythm Gags That Kill at Parties and Performances
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If you had to perform a comedy bit for a party piece or stage act, what would you do?

Many people probably think that rhythm-based routines might get the crowd more excited than standard sketches, manzai, or one-liner gags.

It’s true—rhythm comedy can really bring the venue together, especially when you get the audience clapping along or singing!

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of recommended rhythm-based comedy routines.

We’ve picked a mixed lineup of classics and the latest buzzworthy acts—old and new—so feel free to use it as a reference!

[Hilarious] Rhythm Skits That Kill at Parties and Performances (1–10)

TT BrothersChocolate Planet

Naoko (Destiny) Piano Performance – from the film “The Wind Rises”
TT Brothers Chocolate Planet

Chocolate Planet’s TT Brothers, also famous for their impressions of IKKO and Motoya Izumi! It’s a skit where they search for anything in the world that starts with the letter “T.” With the chant “tee-tee-tee, tee-tt-tee-tee” they stretch out their arms to form a capital T and make their entrance.

After that, anything goes as long as it has a T! Their costumes are just white outfits with a T on them, so you could probably make them yourself.

Crank up the energy and have fun hunting for all the Ts around you!

Please give me a big penis.Doburokku

[Subbed] King of Conte 2019 champions Doburock perform their winning routine “Please Give Me a Big You-Know-What”! The 2018 Dirty Joke Grand Prix is streaming on ABEMA Video. Japanese subtitles.
Please give me a big penis. Doburock

“Please Give Me a Big One,” a skit by King of Conte 2019 champions Doburokku that centers on adult humor and is styled with a musical-theater vibe.

In settings where risqué jokes are acceptable, material like this can be quite enjoyable.

Because it’s musical, both instrumental performance and singing ability are part of the evaluation, so make sure to practice hard.

It could also be a good idea to create a new song in a similar vein.

Aru Aru Expedition Teamregular

One-Hit Wonder Rescue Project: FUJIWARA Rehabilitation Factory – Regular Edition
Aru Aru Expedition Team Regular

The comedy duo Regular broke through in 2004 with their “Aru Aru Tankentai” routine.

Since the bit draws on everyday “relatable” situations around us, you can keep creating new versions, making it a very handy routine.

If you mix in inside jokes from your school or workplace to make your own version, it might feel even more “relatable.”

rap materialJoiman

Joiman [Comedy Bit] Wh-What’s with this guy?! [Yoshimoto Young Performers Festival]
rap material Joyman

Rapping with rhymes at the end of lines.

Japanese rap songs have really started to get a lot more listens, haven’t they? At first glance, Joyman’s rap bits—where the line between them and dad jokes isn’t entirely clear—would definitely be a hit if you can master the interplay between the first and second words and that distinctive sense of rhythm.

Try coming up with your own brilliantly crafted rap routine.

PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH

【MV】PERFECT HUMAN / RADIO FISH
PERFECT HUMANRADIO FISH

It’s “PERFECT HUMAN,” the hit song by RADIO FISH, the music group led by the comedy duo Oriental Radio.

How about singing and dancing to this one? If singing is difficult, just playing the track and focusing on the dance should still be plenty impressive.

It seems like it would have an even greater impact if performed in a large group in sync.

Atarimae TaisoCOWCOW

COWCOW “Atarimae Taiso #1”
Atarimae TaisoCOWCOW

COWCOW had a big breakout in 2012, and the catalyst was this “Atarimae Taiso” (The Obvious Exercise).

It’s the original rhythm-based gag that hasn’t faded a bit—you almost can’t believe that much time has passed.

With a simple melody and basic movements, it still gets huge laughs—that’s the charm of COWCOW.

They just put extremely obvious things to a rhythm and perform them, like “If you put your right foot forward and then your left foot, you can move forward,” or “When you get hit, people get angry.” It’s totally fine for women to give it a try, too! It’s also great to have someone who can play piano accompany you.

Manzai while singingMembers

[Official] Uta Neta King “Members” Yassa Festival Collaboration ver.
Manzai while singing members

This is a sketch by the manzai duo named Member.

Their manzai, which runs entirely to a musical beat, goes beyond a mere act and into the realm of pure technique.

Creating a perfect copy will take a bit of time, but it’s sure to bring the house down! Their winning routine from the 2018 6th Uta Netao Championship, “Ore no Kao o Miro” (“Look at My Face”), is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

We also recommend “Onushi mo waru yo no, Hyahhā,” which features a hilarious back-and-forth with a corrupt magistrate.

Give it a try with your coworkers or classmates!

WakachikoYutty

This is Yutty’s bit where the phrase and rhythm “Wakachiko Wakachiko” are oddly funny; it’s a rhythm-based gag that’s handy because you can tack this refrain onto almost any comedy routine and it’ll feel legit.

Make sure the costume matches the vibe, too.

I’ve heard “Wakachiko” is quoted from the intro of Shonentai’s song “Decameron Densetsu.”

I wonder why.Tetsu and Tomo

Tetsu and Tomo “Why Is That? 20 in a Row!!” Trailer! We’ll show you just 3 (lol) [CD+DVD on sale 2017/7/12]
I wonder why. Tetsu and Tomo

Tetsu, who shows off astonishing physical abilities, and Tomo, who treats us to a bright, beautiful singing voice—their famous routine, “Why Is That?” Haven’t you tried the arm-crossing move at least once yourself? By all means, team up with a partner who’s good at guitar and singing and give it a shot! Imitating Tetsu and Tomo’s bit is great, but it might be fresh and funny if you do it with your own everyday “why is that?” moments!

Harry PotterYuriyan Retriever

Yuriyan Retriever’s piano bit with a variety of gags.

She starts by performing famous classical pieces often played on the piano, but inevitably gets pulled into “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter partway through.

The key to this bit is being able to play the classical pieces solidly up until you get to “from Harry Potter”! So this is definitely a chance for experienced pianists to shine.

You could even transition straight into an all-out performance of “from Harry Potter.”