Top 10 Times TV Actors Couldn't Keep a Straight Face
Some of the funniest TV scenes are because an actor couldn't keep a straight face. For this list, we’ll be looking at scenes in various TV series where an actor breaks character. We will not be including live sketch series however, as they deserve a list of their own. Our countdown includes the Peanut Butter Rap from "Community" (2009-15), Ross playing the bagpipes in "Friends" (1994-2004), the Spider Song from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (2005-), and more! Did you notice any of these goofs? Let us know in the comments below!
#10: Rosa Smiles
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“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21) On “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” Rosa Diaz is the resident tough one. Which is why it’s so bizarre to see her laughing. In one of the show’s most memorable cold opens, Amy is late for work, prompting her co-workers to theorize where she is. Captain Holt soon saunters up and asks why no one is working. When he adds that he’d like to join in their little game, actress Stephanie Beatriz totally breaks character. She smiles and covers her grinning mouth with her hand. It’s quite amazing that Andre Braugher can make someone laugh with so little effort!
#9: Peanut Butter Rap
“Community” (2009-15) Ok, seeing Jim Rash dressed as a peanut candy bar is enough to make anyone break out laughing. To apologize for payday being late, Dean Pelton dresses as a Payday bar and performs a rap for the students. Joel McHale and Gillian Jacobs clearly have a tough job, as they are forced into the same shot as the rapping Jim Rash. They do their best to keep it together, but Jacobs just barely holds on. When she turns back in shock after the Dean runs out of the room, it’s very clear that she is holding in a laugh!
#8: The Papers
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“Yes, Prime Minister” (1986-87) This is a British political satire that ran on the BBC throughout the back half of the ‘80s. In a particular scene, Prime Minister Jim Hacker explains the demographics of certain newspapers to the character Humphrey Appleby. He lists off many popular papers and gives a quick, yet hilarious, explanation regarding their readership. It is all performed in one continuous shot. When the camera finally cuts back to Humphrey, actor Nigel Hawthorne is clearly stifling a laugh. His smile is hilariously evident, and he even touches his nose in a desperate attempt to stop the laughter from breaking out.
#7: The Spider Song
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“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (2005-) There are many scenes throughout this beloved FX sitcom where actors break character by either smiling or giggling. In season nine’s “The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award,” Charlie gets high on paint fumes and sings about spiders in his soul. The second he starts, the camera cuts to actor Rob McElhenney, who nearly breaks with a laugh. Instead, he hangs his head in shame so that his face cannot be seen. However, faint glimmers of a smile can still be seen around his mouth and cheeks, betraying the otherwise clever idea.
#6: Spitting on the Baby
“3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001) Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a consummate professional, but even he is prone to breaking character from time to time. In a second season episode of “3rd Rock from the Sun,” Harry and Tommy are reluctantly feeding Mrs. Dubcek’s grandson. The scene is shot from the baby’s point of view, and at one point, he spits food back onto Tommy’s face. In a great bit of improvisation, French Stewart put some food into his mouth and spit it onto the camera in an act of retaliation. Joseph Gordon-Levitt wasn’t expecting it however, and he breaks out with some obvious laughter. Admittedly, it really works with the scene!
#5: Dean’s Outburst
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“Supernatural” (2005-20) This fantasy show worked in large part due to the chemistry of Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki. It’s obvious that the two legitimately got along and enjoyed each other’s company. One only needs to watch this scene to see that! In the third season episode “Bad Day at Black Rock,” Bela steals Dean’s winning lottery tickets. Upon this realization, Dean utters a loud curse, which causes Jared Padalecki to break. He is clearly smiling and trying to contain himself before the words are even uttered. But when they are, he turns away from the camera so that his laugh cannot be seen. Luckily, this laugh also works for the scene, so the editors decided to keep it in.
#4: The Answering Machine Message
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“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (2000-) Actors containing their laughter on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” should probably be worth an Emmy. Unfortunately, neither Larry David nor Richard Lewis could keep it composed in this scene. The two are viciously arguing over an answering machine message. The mere concept of two grown men nearly coming to blows over a stolen answering machine message is hilarious, and it quickly gets to the actors. The argument begins well enough, but it’s not long before they are both smiling and desperately trying to contain their laughter. David has a particularly hard time, and at one point he audibly breaks into a giggle. He tried. He really did.
#3: Kramer’s Busted Car
“Seinfeld” (1989-98) If anyone has ever seen “Seinfeld” bloopers, they’ll know that Julia Louis-Dreyfus had a hard time staying in character. However, in this instance, the giggles come from Jason Alexander. The script for “The Parking Garage” had the gang driving away at the very end. But, when it came time to shoot the scene, the car wouldn’t start. This made for an even funnier ending. It also resulted in natural reactions from the actors. Jason Alexander can be seen in the backseat smiling and turning away from the camera. This wasn’t the only time that Alexander broke, however, he can also be seen laughing after Kramer’ burp in “The Merv Griffin Show” episode.
#2: Ross Plays the Bagpipes
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“Friends” (1994-2004) If there’s one thing that Jennifer Aniston finds hilarious, it’s instruments being played badly. In season four, she openly laughs while David Schwimmer plays the keyboard. Three seasons later, Ross decides to play the bagpipes at Monica’s wedding - despite having no prior experience. Schwimmer actually played the bagpipes for the scene, which made things even better. Lisa Kudrow somehow manages to keep it together and begins “singing” along to Ross’s horrible noise. Of course, that’s what finally breaks Jennifer Aniston. The actress can be seen smiling and covering her mouth. She eventually fully breaks and buries her face in her hand. It still manages to work with the scene, and we are so happy they left it in.
#1: Prison Mike
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“The Office” (2005-13) Steve Carell has a natural ability to make everyone laugh. In the episode “Secret Santa,” Ed Helms had to actually abandon a shot because he was laughing so hard. However, the most memorable reactions can be seen when Carell plays “Prison Mike.” On the “Office Ladies” podcast, Angela Kinsey revealed that the cast had a really tough time getting through this scene. She points to John Krasinski and Phyllis Smith in particular, as both can be seen breaking character and laughing. For example, Krasinski is legitimately laughing after Michael mentions the Dementors. Luckily, Rashida Jones keeps it together long enough to ask if he “just stole a supernatural creature from a fantasy novel.” Which he totally didn’t.
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