The German word “schadenfreude” basically means “deriving pleasure from someone else’s pain,” and that has to be part of the magic behind First We Feast‘s uber-popular YouTube show Hot Ones. Since 2015, host Sean Evans has put celebs in the literal hot seat, challenging them to eat increasingly spicy wings and answer probing questions meticulously crafted by his research team.
After more than 300 episodes, 18 seasons, and 1 billion views, guests ranging from Olivia Rodrigo and Matt Damon to Malcolm Gladwell and Joel Embiid have taken on the hot wing gauntlet. And while many have failed (DJ Khaled only made it to three wings, proving that all he does is quit), others have triumphed like champs.
We gathered some of the most memorable episodes to watch back-to-back, notable for their animated reactions, memorable conversations, or legendary performances.
In no particular order, here are 19 of the greatest Hot Ones episodes to binge.
1. Shaq
Shaq brings his own milk, apologizes to the entire state of Kansas, and desperately asks for “ice cube chapstick” to soothe his burning tastebuds. But can he finish all 10 wings without tapping out?
2. Lorde
Watch as Lorde waxes poetic about the virtues of the perfect onion ring and wipes the floor with every single Hot Ones celeb that preceded her by eating all 10 wings without so much as breaking a sweat.
3. Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd opts for vegan cauliflower wings and speaks the words that launched a thousand memes: “Hey, look at us.” In an incredible show of mental and physical fortitude, he also completes the 10-wing gauntlet without a single sip of water or milk.
4. Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie truly struggles to take on the wings of death (“I think I might die,” she says at one point) but makes it through thanks to special cameos from her Birds of Prey costars.
5. Idris Elba
Idris Elba shows up a bit cocky (“I’m pretty confident, I fear no one” he assures Evans) but the wings soon put him in his place. It’s all smooth sailing until he tries The Bomb and is overcome by a dry cough and confusion.
6. Billie Eilish
Things got so heated that Billie Eilish can be seen shoving handfuls of ice cubes into her mouth.
7. Tom Holland
Bubbly brit Holland muscles his way through a difficult meal to conquer the wings of death, all while charming Evans with stories from set and his failed audition for Star Wars.
8. Joji
Singer, rapper, and YouTube legend Joji talks about creating the Harlem Shake while working up an “Asian old man power sweat.”
9. Kristen Bell
Kristen Bell chowed down on wings and chatted about everything from her husband’s wing-eating experience to The Good Place. She swore and sipped some water, but ultimately she conquered.
10. Desus and Mero
Dynamic late-night comedy duo, the Bodega Boys, laugh through the wings of death and wipe literal nose sweat away.
11. Gordon Ramsay
Feisty celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay gets some serious payback for all those years of sass. Ramsay suffers so much that he has to pop open a bottle of Pepto-Bismol at one point.
12. Lil Yachty
In his first-ever experience with hot wings, the rapper delivers some of the best reactions the show has ever seen. 🔥
13. Michael Cera
You can watch Michael Cera get “mouth pains” around the 16-minute mark. Poor sweet boy.
14. Pete Davidson
Davidson fights his way to an impressive finish while asking Evans through tears, “Am I the worst!?” No worries Pete, DJ Khaled was definitely the worst.
15. Alton Brown
The Iron Chef America and Good Eats host takes on the wings of death with the ease of a sommelier tasting fine wines. While teasing his fine palate with spice levels that knocked out men twice his size, Brown calmly explains to Evans why watching what other people buy in the grocery store depresses him.
16. Michael B. Jordan
Actor Michael B. Jordan, who’s starred in everything from Friday Night Lights to Black Panther, is hot, but Evans’ spread of wings might have been hotter.
17. Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union brings her delightful sense of humor to the competition. Sorry to these wings!
18. Superfan Brett Baker
Instead of a Hollywood celebrity, Evans invited “the man, the myth, the Nebraska legend” Brett Baker onto the show. Many fans know Baker from his Hot Ones Power Rankings on Twitter, but if you haven’t seen him take over the show you must.
19. Guy Fieri
Allow the illustrious Mayor of Flavortown to show you how it’s done.
