Top 10 Zach Galifianakis Moments

#10 – Burning the Midnight Oil (2002)
Before the beard, the fame and the hangover, Galifianakis was a fresh-faced VH1 host with no interest of working within the system. Showing off the awkward interview skills we later came to know and love on “Between Two Ferns,” Galifianakis talks to celebs, reveals inner monologues, plays the piano and spouts tons of non-sequiturs. Things got really funny when he was cancelled after nine weeks and he went all Conan.
#9 – Galifianakis is a Stand-Up Guy (2006)
He gained international fame on the big screen, but Galifianakis’ career was built on-stage. That’s where he polished his dry, self-deprecating, awkward and absurd act, combined piano playing and storytelling and started taking audiences out of their comfort zones. His special “Live at the Purple Onion” proves his skills in comedy and beer swigging, with DVD extras like an unscripted VW bus roadtrip and an interview with Zach’s twin.
#8 – The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Bed (2005)
After meeting at an LA nightclub, Zach and Fiona Apple decided to lie in bed and film it. With exposed stomachs, heartfelt lip-syncing and interpretive dancing, “Not About Love” is one of those inexplicably hilarious Galifianakis projects. He even wanted to turn his music video gig into a day job, since he barely had one at the time. But, fortunately the universe had other plans for our bearded friend.
#7 – It’s Not Easy Being Greene (2007-2010)
He can act, dance, teach, and snuggle: He’s Tairy Greene. As a recurring character on “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!,” Galifianakis fills multiple roles, whether he’s ministering to children about the craft of acting, portraying the world’s greatest dancer or snuggling people back to health. If you’ve missed one of Tairy Greene’s many performances, don’t fret! But honestly, we just love seeing him yell at kids.
#6 – Live From New York, It’s Random as Hell (2011)
He was kicked off set for trespassing, and fired from his writing job there after just two weeks. But Galifianakis returned to “Saturday Night Live” for a far more triumphant and Emmy-nominated experience as host. Between photobombs or mid-show shavings, it’s hard to pick a highlight. We choose the monologue where he channels little orphan Annie and shows off his skipping, pink underwear and inexplicable love of Hoobastank.
#5 – Awkward Till the Cows Come Home (2007)
Kanye West + Zach Galifianakis + cows = hilarity? Clearly conceived while under the influence, this low-budget vid sees Galifianakis and his buddy lip-sync a Kanye track while doing chores and air-grinding around Zach’s farm. Wardrobe choices, turd-love and slow-mo dancers aside, you gotta give West credit for tapping the underground comedian’s talents two years before “The Hangover.” It was actually another Galifianakis lip-syncing vid that caught his eye…
#4 – Thank You For Being a Friend, Vodka (2008)
You want surrealism, ask Zach. Absolut commissioned the unpredictable comedian, his buddies Tim and Eric and some over-the-top wigs to create a vodka video. The guidelines? Do whatever, but mention the product and make sure it’s not too ‘80s. The result is a series of bizarre “Golden Girls” rip-offs that get less polished as they go: in fact, the last one is either really meta, or a blooper reel?
#3 – Plants and Interviews (2008-Present)
If it’s uncomfortable celebrities being fed inappropriate questions you seek, then “Between Two Ferns” is for you. This Funny or Die offering highlights the best of Galifianakis’ off-the-cuff comedy; in a low-budget cable-access kinda setting that mocks the phoniness of Hollywood interviews. It’s flat-out impossible to pick a favorite moment, so we’re copping out by choosing a multi-way tie between all of them. Cue the montage.
#2 – Crying Wolf (2009)
It’s the breakthrough moment of a breakout performance: Galifianakis turned his hard-to-pronounce name into a household one with his role in “The Hangover.” And if you didn’t already know that, then why are you watching this video? He plays a slightly touched member of the crew who’s very excited to be included. So excited, in fact, he lets his buds know with an unforgettable rambling rooftop speech.
#1 – Half Baked (2010)
Galifianakis makes no effort to hide his proclivity towards the green stuff. But his most blatant exploit was lighting up on TV. While the panel on “Real Time with Bill Maher” was discussing the legalization of marijuana, Zach took it upon himself to take sides by pulling a spliff out of his pocket and smoking it. Everyone denied it was real, but his ballsy point was made.
Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Zach Galifianakis moment? For more top 10s about your favorite comedians, be sure to subscribe to WatcMojo.com.
