Raanan Hershberg is a comic’s comic, known for sharp, long-form premises, ruthless self-awareness, and a distinct refusal to bend entirely to the internet’s whims. Over years grinding through the New York stand-up scene, making specials like Brave and Jokes from the Underground, and co-hosting Your Favorite Movie Sucks, he has built a reputation for comedy that digs into the messy, uncomfortable gray areas of modern life.
In this in-depth conversation, Hershberg sits down to discuss the development of his latest hour, Did You Like Me?, the modern reality of social media virality, and why protecting your artistic integrity matters more than ever.
In this episode, Hershberg takes a sobering look back at early 2000s “punching-down” material, the guilt of edgy comedy, and turning domestic arguments into sharper, honest material.
Hershberg then dives into the illusion of truth in stand-up, why audiences naturally suspend disbelief, how breaking the fourth wall creates bigger laughs, and the art of admitting when a joke is a lie.
Hershberg also addresses the dreaded algorithm trap: why chasing short viral clips compromises a comic’s voice, the line between smart promotion and writing for social media, and why virality often comes from people completely misunderstanding the joke.
Catch Raanan Hershberg performing his hour Did You Like Me? live at the 2026 New York Comedy Festival and watch his specials—including his award-winning short film Memory Room—available now on YouTube.
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