Marvel stars have a history of spawning memes when they take on the lip-burning lineup of spicy wings on Hot Ones. Idris Elba choking is a classic, but the most beloved might be Paul Rudd’s heartfelt expression of camaraderie. Even Peter Parker himself isn’t immune: When Spider-Man: No Way Home star Tom Holland joined the show for the last episode of its 16th season, he fought through the Scoville tears to recreate it.
“Who would have thought, mate,” he choked. “Fuck me.” (That’s something British people say as an exclamation, not an invitation.)
At the outset, Holland promised host Sean Evans that he was going to try to get through all the wings without touching the milk. By dab number 7, he was eyeing off the frosty white glass, and caved before going in for the eighth.
“This might be the best milk I’ve ever had,” he said halfway through his second glass, visibly sweating as he stared down the last and hottest sauce. Despite making several jokes — I think — about shitting himself, he went back for a second bite of that nuclear-level final condiment. And in true Marvel fashion, there’s a post-credits scene, where you can see Holland clutching a jug of ice water like his life depends on it.
In between some very English swearing, jokingly calling for a doctor, and resisting the siren song of cold moo juice for as long as he could, Holland also shared the acting advice (and sweet souvenirs) he got from Robert Downey Jr., and dropped casual impressions of other Marvel co-stars. He also admitted that despite the challenges of acting from behind a mask, it has its benefits.
“If I’ve gone out the night before and had a little too much to drink, I’ve got a mask on, no one knows, so it’s fine,” he said.
Maybe a big glass of milk in between pints might help, too.
