When I think of the internet, I think of nostalgia and escapism. The first things that come to mind: the Y2K bug that never was, the scary robot in 2001: A Space Odyssey, the birth and death of Myspace, Tom from Myspace’s cheesy smile, Trent Reznor’s sexy Social Network soundtrack, getting poked on Facebook, Andy Warhol’s concept of how everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes, etc, etc.
Nevertheless, my list here should remind us all that no matter how dark the internet can be, it can also be a place that can make you laugh – so, so much.
1. Shit Asian dads say
I’ve been watching this for many years. It’s too real and relatable, from the chaotic driving, to the tapping of the melons at the supermarkets, to the intense outbursts like “NO BOYFRIEND TIL MARRIAGE”. I think a lot of Asian/ethnic dads are naturally comedic because they just don’t care what anybody thinks. They’re unapologetic.
2. Just waiting for a mate
Australians kill me with how relaxed and casual we are about everything and this clip is the epitome of that. He’s just crashed his car but his relentless denial is ballsy as hell.
3. Get off my lawn
This guy is a legend. The confidence to tell Scott Morrison mid press conference what to do reminds me that no person – no matter how much status or power they have – should ever be above the lawn.
4. Tony Abbott
Sometimes older people get thrown into this basket of “they’re so out of touch” or “they’re ignorant”, but this man challenges all those notions. He’s like an unmasked vigilante and he doesn’t even know it. A true icon.
5. Tiny Gentle Asians
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This little girl with her funny fringe is extremely me. I’ve had the same haircut since I was four. As the name suggests, the Tiny Gentle Asians account is one of the most wholesome things on the internet, filled with cute Asian babies and toddlers – who often resemble little dumplings. It just warms my heart. Asian babies are extremely cute because they all look a bit clueless and uncomfortable.
6. American v Balkan birthdays
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I didn’t know too many Balkans growing up, but my boyfriend is Bulgarian, so now I know a lot of them. I’ve learned that Balkan kids all grow up incredibly fast – they go clubbing, buy cigarettes and start drinking as tweens. And most of them seem to turn out OK? It’s so different to Australia, where we are quite sheltered.
I tried my first cigarette when I was about 16 while my boyfriend says that he was trying to quit cigarettes around that age. So by the time they’re in their early 20s, it’s like Balkan kids have already lived many lives. It’s ridiculous and hilarious.
7. Ethnic dads getting to school
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The Sooshi Mango boys are great. This stereotype kills me! Every Vietnamese parent goes into monologue mode when they tell you what it was like when they went to school as kids. The journeys they recount always involve an epic odyssey through treacherous mountains, swimming across rivers and running away from wild animals. It’s very Lord of The Rings.
They do this to guilt trip and it somehow works. When I speak to my other friends with parents from other backgrounds who lived through poverty or war, they also get fed the same stories about going to school. It’s so dramatic, but I kind of love the drama too.
8. Russian man cuts power to his neighbour’s party
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Big villain energy or is he the hero? This would never happen in Australia, but I am amused that people can take things this far. Pissed-off Aussie neighbours might write you a passive-aggressive letter or ask you to turn the noise down. Physically cutting off a whole party’s power supply is a bit crazy – but it’s quite ingenious too.
9. Jennifer Coolidge’s poetry reading
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Love her choice of poem. I wish she was my friend! I’ve been following her career for ages and I think she’s one of the best. It would be a dream to act opposite her one day. Everything she does is naturally, effortlessly hilarious.
10. Kanye West singing in Vietnamese
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If you’re not Vietnamese, you won’t understand how funny this is. Of course Kanye has said some things I don’t agree with but if you show this to any Vietnamese parent, they’ll just think it’s a random singer who has learnt Vietnamese and is singing it perfectly. Vietnamese parents don’t know who Kanye West is.
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Jillian Nguyen appears in Shayda, which opens Melbourne international film festival on 3 August. Other upcoming credits include Scarygirl and One Night on Paramount+.