Defender of the Basic | Hardly Working 

His coat of arms says “Vivere, Ridere, Amare”, which means “Live, Laugh, Love”

100% Brennan already owned the armor before the skit

I think the most impressive thing about this skit was that there was no last punchline invalidating the whole argument. They went all in, and didn't back out at the end like cowards.

The Latin on Brennan's armor translates to "Live, Laugh, Love" and I think that's wonderful

Now every time anyone says "they're all the same" about anything I respond with "AS ARE SUNSETS AND RAINBOWS, YOU VIPER".

"But they're all the same!" "As are sunsets and rainbows" is a powerful statement

This video has literally CHANGED MY LIFE, I think about it constantly. As soon as I feel ashamed of being a basic bitch I just remember Brennan's voice encouraging me and now I can finally claim: I am basic and free

College Humor: “How to tell if you’re basic” 6 years later Also College Humor: “Defender of the basic” Me: Hold on. This whole operation was your idea.

"They're all the same though!" "AS ARE SUNSETS AND RAINBOWS, YOU VIPER." That was Shakespearean

'As are sunsets and rainbows, you viper!' is not only a killer line but also suberbly delivered.

"As are sunsets and rainbows." That's actually a damn good point.

“Hmmm we need a new sketch” “I have a new set of armor “ “Hhmmm ok we can work with that, what do knights do?” “They protect and defend” “Isn’t that pretty basic” “*in unison gasp *”

They hit the jackpot when they hired Brennan, he's an awesome actor/comedian.

Why do I feel like Brennan didn't even need to write any of this out and he just kind of got into "knight mode" and went to town in one take?

The worst part about people hating on the "basic" is that it isn't about what everyone likes, its about what teenage girls/younger women like. No guy is ever called basic for liking watching basketball games, but teenage girls who like pumpkin spiced lattes are.

I can tell when Brennan wrote a sketch because I can see him in the writers room wagging his finger and going “QUIT BEING MEAN FOR NO REASON”

I've said this for thirty years: Hating something because it's popular is just as mindless as liking something because it's popular. Either way, other people are determining what you like.

“As are sunsets and rainbows, you VIPER”

My favorite part has to be when Ally takes a sip of the frappuccino, tries to act disgusted, but can't keep up the act. Masterfully done with the expressions

So rare to find comedy that is not cynical and negative. Love this

Anyone who calls someone basic as an insult is literally the most basic person ever. Wait.

Jokes aside, this actually has a nice message.

No joke, I am citing this skit in my final essay in my Music History Class. I'm using it to draw a parallel between the great divide of modernism versus mainstream during the 20th century and the contemporary basic versus hipster cultural debate. They are basically the same arguments, and my essay basically takes the position of Brennan's character in this skit. You can like what you like. If listening to 4 and a half minutes of white noise is what you want to consider the pinnacle of art, more power to you. But when you look down on other people for wanting something a little more accessible, you prove yourself a hypocrite and an elitist. Am I taking this skit way too seriously? absolutely. But there are genuinely some beautiful bits of rhetoric in this that I think would be plagiarism not to disclose where I found it.

Years later this sketch has honestly changed how I live my life. Whenever someone tries to put down another for liking something "basic" or "common", or I catch myself doing it (or judge myself). I always remember sir John Doe saying "as are sunsets and rainbows, you viper!" And I live by those words

They're taste is defined by what everyone else is into. So you would never do what a basic person does? No. Oh! So your taste is also defined by what everybody else does? I'm never recovering from this.

"so you would never do what a basic person does" "no" "so your taste is also definited by what everyone else does" lol I'm screaming

This video is the polar opposite of gatekeeping and I love it

“Red bangs from beginning to end and only a fool would claim otherwise” I AGREE SO HARD RIGHT NOW. I feel massively called out by this sketch as a basic girl.

holy shit. that was brilliant. all that buildup just to make fun of katie for not being verified

This was actually much more pure and wholesome than I expected.

I vibe with the "Christmas lights make depressing rooms cozy" probably more than I should. My mum gave my a plastic ball with a small Christmas tree in it and small bits of plastic chopped to look like snow and you can light the tree and I used to light it up at least once a week when I was at my dorm room.

Everytime I read an "Interior Design trends that need to stop/aged poorly/what have you" article I find myself coming here to cleanse my soul of the writers hate of basic things.

“Beethoven actually refers to Charles Grodin’s character. The dog is Beethoven’s monster” That opening line is fucking brilliant

I love how the motto on his coat of arms is latin for "live, laugh, love"

Like how at the end Brennan doesn’t say I told you so he just nurtures their basic interests in a calm manner.

This and Bo Burnham’s “White Woman’s Instagram” have really made me reevaluate how I view and treat people. Love what you love, so long as you aren’t hurting anyone, I’m just happy you found something you love and makes you happy.

Really like how they didn’t have a twist ending that invalidated the heart of the piece. I’m glad the message could remain positive.

Brennan is the best thing that's happened to CollegeHumor in years.

Everyone needs a Brennan lee mulligan to boost their self confidence and defend them.

You know what else is basic but has 100% validation? Brennan Lee Mulligan being your favorite member of CH.

Gonna go out on a limb and say that the prop and costume department didn't have to issue anything to Brennan.

I had no idea a college humor skit could be so wholesome, and I was fully expecting it to be cheaply undercut with the end joke but they didn't and I love it. Well fucking done.

Somehow this seems more valid coming from Brennan, who arguably has the most niche interest of the CH cast that is now literally his full time job

I love this sketch, it’s true. People who make fun of “basic” people are just covering up their own insecurities

They just had to throw in the fact that Katie isn’t verified lmao

“So are sunsets and rainbows you viper” This made me laugh harder than I have all day

I love how these are just all just excuses for Brennan to monologue

I swear this video just makes me feel so.. safe.. I almost cry every time i watch it, it feels so validating and comforting for someone with terrible social anxiety, to know that I dont have to be excentric, or new, or different on purpose, we can all be what society deems "basic", our excentricities come from us being ourselves and just living how we feel comfortable! :D

"Her taste is defined by what everyone else is doing" "Would you ever do what a basic person does?" "No" "Then isn't your taste defined by what everyone else is doing?"

I legit paused the video when he said “Christmas lights make small, depressing rooms feel warm and welcoming” to look up at my Christmas lights I just recently got for my small and depressing (even more so after my roommate moved out on me) dorm room. Yeah this video is legit, it may be basic but I have Christmas lights because IT WORKS, it really helped! Things do become “basic” because most people enjoy them, this message rings true

"red bangs from beginning to end and only a fool would claim otherwise" as someone who never listens to anything remotely similar to taylor swift's music, but frequently listens to red, i wholeheartedly agree.

This is probably my favourite CH sketch of all time. I used to be like Trapp and Ally in this sketch but after I watched it, I was genuinely changed. Amazing message!!

Katie isn't even verified😂

I love these little intros where they talk about some random shit for a few seconds before the actual narrative starts. also this new guy is really really good.

I also love this because a stereotype of nerdy DnD loving men is that they're gatekeepers and judgemental of mainstream things and I think it can be a self fulfilling prophecy and young boys see that and think that'd how they should act but here is the king of the nerds saying 'let people like what they like and be kind about it!'.

I was like "where is Brennan gonna pop out" and low and behold... he's in fucking armor.

I'm just realizing that Brennan says "You can flirt with cute boys" and NONE of the four of them are attracted to guys.

This was surprisingly wholesome. The world needs more magically appearing knights.

The greatest part of this whole skit is that Brennan didn't have to act at all

I like to imagine that the costume people were like "oh damn, where are we going to find a suit of armor to go with the Defender of the Basic ?" and Brennan was like "dont worry about it, i gottchu"

"They're all the same though!" *"As are sunsets and rainbows, you viper!"*

So basically, "let people enjoy things you edgelords" . I can definitely get behind that, thank god cringe culture is dead.

I heard "18 Marvel Movies" and immediately checked to see that this was made in 2018! Apparently wanting to own all Marvel movies is just as timeless as this sketch

I just performed this as an open interpretation in a speech and debate league. I placed 20th in my state, and owe it all to Brennan. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done and continue to do.

That moment when you realize college humor is funny again

"They're all the same though?" "AS ARE SUNSETS AND RAINBOWS" Tru tho

This sketch lived in my brain rent free and I hope the CH staff know how much I think about it

the “you would never like what a basic person likes?” “no!” “so your taste is *also* defined by other people!” was just so pure brennan

Brennan is amazing please never loose him.

"as are sunsets and rainbows, you viper" and "hipster swill". He did such a good job with his voice.

Mike is great at delivering lines in a way that make me forget I'm watching a skit. He's got that believable conversation tone down

Wow a wholesome Collegehumor sketch that can actually positively change people's world view!? This is genius.

Brennan is so fucking excellent. Quality sketch. CH has been superb recently. Best it has been in some years. Well done to all.

Honestly this changed my entire perspective on "basic" people. While no video can magically make me like Taylor Swift, this made me a bit more comfortable with the fact that autumn colors are fuckin relaxing and the vanilla colors of lights, and scents of candles, are amazing.

"Red bangs from beginning to end and only a FOOL would claim otherwise!" so true XD Edit: Thanks for the likes, Swifties!

1:50 I love the disgusted look on her face while she’s trying to hate it then the resignation that it’s actually good

I wasn't laughing-out-loud laughing but this sketch is so well-written.

They actually touch on one of the most important notion of sociology when they say that hipsters or people who are not “basic” have personalities that also are just reactionary manifestation of interaction or perception of their world views. We all react to world, but to reject it or follow it is dependent on the individual taste.

This one made me legitimately smile from beginning to end, was something to take back the whole argument but there wasnt! Just enjoying what people like, made me happy to see!

I saw this video for the first time when I was like 14 and it made a genuinely kinder and more chill person this video holds a special place in my heart

*Yeah Brennan's amazing.*

I really like Brennan pretty funny dude better keep him around and dont murder him....Trapp 😒

i lowkey love this sketch. i love ariana grande and hamilton and the US version of the office. popular things are popular for a reason!!

“As are sunsets and rainbows you VIPER” sold me completely. I truly was a fraud. I liked feeling unique and smart, but in the end my choices were still defined by other people, so what difference did it really make? Turns out, none. Now I just like what I like and if my opinions line up with the majority or not, I don’t care. It’s silly how freeing it was.

That was genuinely sad when Jess felt the need to apologize for the candles...

Literally the definition of "Hating popular things doesn't make you interesting"

My teacher linked this video to my video record, because I said "I'm too basic, I listen to pop and singers like Ariana Grande". Lol love her

'Red' being a banger album is the hill I will die on

theres a reason all these things are so popular- theyre universally acknowledged as enjoyable and safe! no one should feel ashamed to like what they like. i wanna apologize to all the girls i ever made fun of for being “too girly” or “so basic”- you guys are wonderful. love what you love.

“That’s crazy, Katie’s not even verified” I checked it’s true lol.

I love how Brennan speaks in the British accent when he's sounding aggressive and then changes to the American accent when calm and soft 💀.

Still even 2 years later this is a gem of a sketch

Another amazing skit by Brennan. Keep him. Value him. Give him what he wants 😂

"They're all the same though!" "As are sunsets and rainbows, you viper!" Seriously, you guys better keep onto Brennan, Or I've got a pumpkin spice latte loaded water gun aimed straight at all of you

Definitely right about the Christmas lights. Though I don't have any in my room anymore. I love the bit about the MCU. Especially the line about sunsets and rainbows. I wouldn't say pizza is my favorite food, but I certainly do enjoy pizza and tacos as reliable go-tos. I love dark chocolate, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with preferring milk chocolate. I will almost never turn down the opportunity to belt out Don't Stop Believin with a group of like-minded individuals. I love doggystyle. Pumpkin spice lattes are delicious and vanilla bean candles smell delightful, but you're not going to catch me with either of them because it's just not my style. Also, the sexy cat costume is extremely overdone and I will laugh at it every year with my friends until the end of time, but a really good one will also catch my eye for sure. Also, I would be lying if I said I didn't always automatically cringe at the phrase, "live, laugh, love". That doesn't mean I'm better than people who do those things or use those things. We all have our flaws. These are just my opinions on the specific "basic" things. Also though, I just want to point out that this man is literally an Internet White Knight right now and I find that hilarious.

I send this video out every pumpkin spice season to every person who makes fun of my halloween-themed coffee shake. Thank you for your service, Brennan

the best line is definitely "As are Sunsets and Rainbows you Viper!"

Brennan is crushing this BTW. I've loved every single thing he has done so far.

I love how nobody talks about how the normal knight just appears from another dimension to defend the honor of the Normies

Honestly love this, it's so wholesome. Completely share the idea of the validity of "basic".