It may be The Eric Andre Show, but the talk show from Hell's unsung hero is unequivocally Andre's cohost, Hannibal Buress. Buress joins Andre to make the show as chaotic as possible, playing a more subtle role when guests are on set. Usually silent and standing off to the side of the celebrity guest, it's Hannibal's job to distract them, interject with witty commentary, and give them a false sense of security.
While Eric does most of the talking, every now and then, Hannibal gets to butt in with his dry, laid-back sense of humor. Usually, that diverges from the chaos around him, making his jokes completely out of place and that much funnier.
"You For Real Think That Those Words That You Just Said Should Be On Television?"
In the very first episode of the show, Hannibal asked Eric the question every guest over the years probably thought to themselves. The interjection sets up Hannibal as the saner one of the two, a relationship that carries through the entire series. It also serves as a shocking reminder that Eric's words somehow did end up on television.
"You've Already Ruined Whatever Momentum Your Joke Has, So..."
Every episode of the show begins with an incoherent monologue by Andre, as Hannibal is forced to watch from the guest couch. Usually, Hannibal can't help but heckle Eric, telling him to get better material, cutting his punchlines down, or stealing the spotlight.
This infamous quote by Buress is made just before Eric pulls out a handgun and mock kills Hannibal. Eric then turns to the camera and says, "who killed Hannibal?" The moment has become one of the many memes to help carry the show into the mainstream.
"Kale Got That Matthew McConaughey Buzz Poppin'."
Just when celebrity guests think the show can't get any stranger than Eric's antics, Hannibal steps in with a completely random observation. In the season three interview with Naturi Naughton, Hannibal delivers an entire speech about the "career arc" of kale, going from a lowly vegetable to getting on some "real big projects."
Just as Matthew McConaughey resurrected his career, kale was able to go on an "incredible run," as well. Quite honestly, we can't believe we missed the connection between the two.
"Fwuh! Fwuh! Fwuh!"
Three "Fwuhs" is a bit of an understatement when Hannibal actually said it closer to thirty times. During an interview with Harry Shum Jr., an actor in the Mortal Kombat franchise, Hannibal explained that if he could have his own fatality it would be stoning someone with apples until they die. He then went on pretending to hurl apples for twenty seconds, much to Shum's displeasure. "Fwuh" has lived on as one of Hannibal's signature noises.
"You Know What I've Never Had In My Life? Penguin Meat."
In the first season of the series, the show would frequently cut to a segment called "The Hannibal Minute," where the cohost, sitting in a library, would explain away some of society's problems.
In the earliest version, he gives the solution to counterfeit money, but, in another "Hannibal Minute," he comes in to say that he's never had penguin meat. That's it. That's the joke—and the show just keeps on going.
"What Do You Think People Did Before Ladders?"
This is less of a funny line and more of a comical conversation between the two hosts. In one of the rare times where Eric and Hannibal aren't in character, they have an entire conversation about the invention of ladders.
They theorized that people just stood on rocks or let things in high places stay broken until Thomas Ladder came around and changed the world forever. It's a hilarious interaction between the two, and it highlights the creative connection the two comedians built the show around.
"I'm Interviewing Nick Cannon, Former R. Kelly Collaborator, And Stagehands Let You Walk In Here With Your D*** Out. F*** You Dad!"
One of the most famous episodes of the show is titled "The Hannibal Buress Show," in which Hannibal takes over Eric's hosting responsibilities. Featured in that episode is musician, comedian, and America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon.
However, the interview goes topsy-turvy when an old white man walks onto the set with his genitals exposed, claiming to be Hannibal's father. An entire argument ensues as Hannibal rejects his offers of reconciliation. Cannon's attempts to disengage while being trapped in between the two only heightens the hilarity.
"Why Are You Booing Me? I'm Right!"
Following the first season of The Eric Andre Show was a New Year's Special in which Hannibal delivers this now-iconic line in response to Eric's monologue. Dressed in a tux and sitting in the guest chair, Hannibal tries to tell the audience that Obama has four more years instead of only two years, as Eric suggests. Hannibal is greeted with a wave of boos, only to snap back in what has become of the show's most meme'd moments.
"Wack."
Possibly the most famous line from The Eric Andre Show, this one-liner sums up Hannibal Buress perfectly. His demeanor, his relationship with Eric, his detached attitude; all of it culminates in the ultimate subtle put-down. "Wack" is not only one of the funniest responses to Eric's hijinks, it has also become a legendary meme in its own right. Only Hannibal Buress could make one word so culturally significant.
"Let's Give A Quick Shout Out To Christina Applegate!"
Few people had as bad of a time being interviewed on the talk show as Lauren Conrad. The reality television star had to leave set after Eric vomited onto his desk and proceeded to eat it, something Conrad would sooner forget than relive.
Unfortunately, her interview has lived on in infamy, not only for her responses, but for this classic one-liner from Hannibal right in the middle of the interview. The entire crowd and crew responded to the Christina Applegate shout-out with more applause and adoration than Conrad received, making this interview even more awkward. It may be Eric Andre's show, but let's give a quick shout-out to Hannibal Buress!