Bo Burnham: What.

Bo Burnham: What. (2013) – The One-Hour Special That Pushed Comedy’s Boundaries

Bo Burnham’s What. (2013) isn’t just another stand-up special—it’s a chaotic, genre-blurring experiment that cemented his reputation as a comedian unafraid to dissect his own art. Directed by Burnham and Christopher Storer, the 60-minute spectacle blends musical comedy, meta-humor, and biting satire, all delivered in Burnham’s signature style: equal parts self-aware and self-destructive. But what went into making this unconventional project, and why does it still resonate nearly a decade later?

A Special Born from Burnham’s Early Struggles

By 2013, Burnham was already a YouTube sensation, having risen to fame in his teens with viral comedy songs. But What. marked a turning point—his first major foray into a long-form special after years of refining his craft in smaller venues. Unlike his earlier work, which leaned heavily on musical gimmicks, What. felt like a deliberate step toward something darker and more introspective.

The special’s title itself—just the word "what."—hints at its absurdist, stream-of-consciousness approach. Burnham doesn’t just perform jokes; he deconstructs them, often mid-song, leaving audiences unsure whether to laugh or cringe. The runtime (60 minutes, per ) suggests a tight, high-energy production, likely designed to keep viewers off-balance.

Behind the Scenes: A Low-Key Production

Unlike later specials like Inside (2021), which became a cultural phenomenon, What. flew under the radar in terms of behind-the-scenes drama. There’s no evidence of major studio interference or last-minute rewrites—just Burnham and Storer crafting a show that feels raw and unfiltered.

One notable detail: What. was filmed in front of a live audience, a departure from Inside, which Burnham shot entirely alone during the pandemic. The energy of a crowd likely shaped the special’s pacing, with Burnham feeding off the audience’s reactions (or lack thereof) to his more experimental bits. The 8/10 rating on SensCritique ^[1] suggests fans appreciated its boldness, even if it wasn’t universally loved.

**The Special’s Legacy: A Bridge to *Inside***

While What. didn’t spawn the same level of memes or think pieces as Inside, it laid the groundwork for Burnham’s later work. The special’s meta-commentary on fame, performance, and self-loathing foreshadows themes he’d explore more deeply in Make Happy (2016) and Inside (2021).

Some fans even argue What. is the more honest of Burnham’s specials—less polished, more chaotic, and free from the existential weight of Inside. Its availability on YouTube ^[2] (where it’s still watchable in full) has kept it alive in niche comedy circles, even as Burnham’s career has evolved.

Unanswered Questions

For all its cult appeal, What. remains one of Burnham’s least-documented projects. There’s no official DVD release, no director’s commentary, and few interviews where he breaks down its creation. Rumors persist about unused material or alternate cuts, but without confirmation, they remain just that—rumors.

One thing is clear: What. was a proving ground. It’s the moment Burnham stopped being just a "YouTube comedian" and started being an artist.