1. When We All Got Obsessed With “Tiger King” at the Same Time (2020)
In early 2020, as lockdowns began, Tiger King dropped on Netflix — and instantly became the quarantine show, according to Stuart Heritage from The Guardian. Joe Exotic, Carole Baskin, big cats, murder plots, and a country music career? It had everything and too much at the same time. The story was bizarre enough to be fictional — but every twist was real.
The timing was perfect: we were all at home, bored, and hungry for distraction. Watching Joe Exotic unravel on screen felt like an emotional release valve. It was messy, wild, and totally addictive. For a brief moment, this chaotic docuseries united America in WTF wonder.
2. When “Balloon Boy” Had the Nation on Edge (2009)
In 2009, a homemade helium balloon floated into the Colorado sky, and the nation watched in panic, thinking 6-year-old Falcon Heene was trapped inside. Hours of live news coverage ensued, only to discover the boy was hiding in the attic the whole time. The parents had staged the event as a publicity stunt, hoping for a reality TV deal. Instead, they got criminal charges and a nationwide eye-roll, according to Reese Oxner from NPR.
It was so over-the-top, it felt scripted — except it was horrifyingly real. The fact that this circus played out live on national TV made it feel like an absurdist satire. Yet we couldn’t look away, proving again that spectacle sells. The story was ridiculous, dramatic, and deeply American in its hunger for fame.
3. When KFC Released a Chicken Sandwich With a Donut Bun (2020)
In 2020, KFC rolled out a fried chicken sandwich between two glazed donuts, because why not? It was part of a limited-time menu item called the “Chicken & Donuts Sandwich,” available nationwide, Leah Asmelash from CNN shares. It pushed fast food boundaries in a way that made some people cringe — and others line up. It wasn’t exactly healthy, but it was definitely memorable.
The sandwich wasn’t just food; it was a cultural moment that screamed “YOLO” in edible form. At a time when health-conscious eating was on the rise, this sweet-and-greasy monstrosity felt like a rebellion. And honestly, it was kind of perfect for 2020 — indulgent, confusing, and a little bit chaotic. It was peak absurdity in a wrapper, and Americans ate it up (literally).
4. When Oprah Gave Away Cars on Live TV (2004)
“You get a car! You get a car! EVERYBODY GETS A CAR!” — and just like that, Oprah Winfrey became a meme before memes were really a thing. In 2004, she surprised her studio audience by giving away 276 brand-new Pontiac G6s, complete with dramatic screaming and jumping. It was a brilliant PR move for both Oprah and GM. But it also turned daytime TV into an over-the-top fantasy land.
This wasn’t just a giveaway; it was a cultural reset in how we thought about generosity and showmanship, according to Brendan Le and Elizabeth Leonard from PEOPLE. It made everyday people feel like lottery winners — at least for one afternoon. But it also came with a tax bill many weren’t ready for, which added to the absurdity. Still, it was one of the most iconic moments in television history.
5. When America Voted Sanjaya Farther Than Anyone Expected (2007)
On American Idol Season 6, Sanjaya Malakar wasn’t the best singer — even he probably knew that. But thanks to a combination of ironic voting, teen fanbases, and Howard Stern egging it on, Sanjaya kept advancing, Meghan Cook from Business Insider explains. His wild hairstyles became a weekly event, including the infamous “ponyhawk.” Judges were baffled, the audience was divided, and TV ratings soared.
This was a moment where talent took a backseat to spectacle. Viewers weren’t just watching the show — they were trolling it in real time. It was hilarious, chaotic, and honestly, a little genius. Sanjaya became the symbol of America’s ability to turn even a singing competition into absurdist performance art.
6. When We Made “Sharknado” a Hit (2013)
“Sharknado” was supposed to be a low-budget, so-bad-it’s-good movie on the Syfy channel — but somehow, it became a viral sensation. The plot was absurd on every level: tornadoes filled with flying sharks attacking Los Angeles. Starring Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, the film leaned hard into its ridiculousness, and it worked. People tweeted, memed, and laughed their way through it.
We didn’t love Sharknado in spite of its absurdity — we loved it because of it. It was a rare case of everyone being in on the joke, from the creators to the viewers. It gave us permission to enjoy something dumb purely for the fun of it. And then it spawned five sequels, because of course it did.
7. When A Guy Sold “Invisible Art” for $10,000 (2011)
In 2011, actor James Franco curated a gallery show that included an “invisible” sculpture by artist duo Praxis. One piece, titled “Fresh Air,” was literally nothing — just empty space. Someone bought it for $10,000, receiving only a certificate of authenticity. The whole thing was part of a commentary on the value of art and belief.
This moment blurred the line between performance, parody, and high-end absurdity. It was either genius or nonsense, depending on your perspective. But the fact that someone paid real money for air was peak art-world satire. It was so American — a blend of capitalism, creativity, and pure WTF energy.
8. When Taco Bell Tried to Sell Us a “Breakfast Waffle Taco” (2014)
In 2014, Taco Bell launched a breakfast menu and introduced the Waffle Taco — a sausage and egg folded inside a waffle, served with syrup. It sounded like a dare, but it was very real. This bizarre mashup was part of Taco Bell’s push to dominate the fast food breakfast wars. Spoiler: it didn’t last long.
Still, the Waffle Taco became a meme-worthy food icon. It reflected a moment where culinary experimentation jumped the shark — in the best way. People didn’t know if they were supposed to eat it or just tweet about it. But for a brief, syrupy moment, America rallied around the absurdity of fast-food breakfast innovation.
9. When Paris Hilton Released a Pop Album (2006)
In 2006, Paris Hilton released her debut album Paris, featuring the single “Stars Are Blind.” It was unexpectedly… not terrible? Critics were baffled by how passable it was, and the album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200. It felt like a prank on the music industry — but no one was quite sure who the joke was on.
This was a moment when celebrity alone was enough to launch a music career, regardless of talent. Paris leaned into her brand, giving us breathy vocals and sun-soaked videos. It wasn’t about musical integrity — it was about pop culture spectacle. And somehow, it kind of worked.
10. When We Tried to “Storm Area 51” (2019)
What started as a Facebook joke — “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop All of Us” — turned into a viral movement. Over 2 million people RSVP’d “going,” prompting the military to issue warnings and local towns to prepare for a potential invasion. In the end, only a few thousand showed up, mostly to party in the desert. But the fact that this even almost happened is incredible.
It showed the power of internet absurdity turning into real-life action. People dressed up, Naruto-ran across open fields, and turned a secretive military base into a punchline. The whole thing was harmless fun, but the energy was chaotic and hilarious. It was internet culture breaking into reality in the weirdest way.
11. When McDonald’s Szechuan Sauce Became a Riot-Worthy Item (2017)
Thanks to Rick and Morty, a throwaway joke about McDonald’s discontinued Szechuan Sauce from 1998 sparked a massive fan demand. When McDonald’s brought it back for one day in 2017, supplies were extremely limited. Fans lined up for hours, some even rioted when the sauce ran out. It was condiment-fueled chaos.
The absurdity wasn’t just in the sauce itself — it was in how much people cared. It was like a live experiment in manufactured nostalgia. McDonald’s underestimated the internet’s obsession potential, and chaos ensued. Somehow, a tangy dipping sauce became a cultural flashpoint.
12. When Fyre Festival Promised Luxury and Delivered Disaster (2017)
Fyre Festival was sold as the ultimate influencer getaway: private islands, gourmet food, and musical heaven. What attendees got was disaster relief tents, cheese sandwiches, and cancelled acts. The promo campaign featured Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and dreamy Bahamas beaches — all lies. The fallout led to multiple lawsuits and a prison sentence for organizer Billy McFarland.
It wasn’t just a failed festival — it was a full-blown cultural farce. Social media made it go viral, and the internet collectively gawked as rich kids got scammed. The absurdity was both tragic and mesmerizing. It became the poster child for influencer culture gone off the rails.
13. When Everyone Bought a Hoverboard That Didn’t Hover (2015)
In 2015, so-called “hoverboards” — two-wheeled, self-balancing scooters — exploded (sometimes literally) in popularity. Celebrities, YouTubers, and teens zoomed around on them, despite them not hovering at all. They were banned in airports and caught fire in living rooms. Yet somehow, they were the gift of the season.
This was a case of branding triumphing over physics. We knew they didn’t hover, but we wanted them anyway. It was a toy, a meme, and a lawsuit magnet all in one. And for a while, they represented the future — or at least, a very goofy version of it.
14. When Pet Rocks Became a National Craze (1975)
In 1975, people across the U.S. spent real money on literal rocks marketed as pets. Gary Dahl, a copywriter from California, packaged smooth stones in a box with breathing holes and straw, selling them for $3.95 each. The concept was meant as a joke about the hassle of real pets — and yet it struck a nerve. Over 1.5 million Pet Rocks were sold in just a few months.
It was peak absurdity because people knew it was ridiculous and bought in anyway — on purpose. The humor was part of the appeal, and somehow that made it even better. It was a self-aware cultural moment that proved Americans will embrace nonsense as long as it’s marketed cleverly. Plus, the absurdity helped Dahl become a millionaire — talk about the American dream.
15. When A Dress Tore the Internet Apart (2015)
Was it white and gold or blue and black? The Dress photo went viral in 2015, sparking heated debates, think pieces, and even scientific analysis. Families argued, celebrities weighed in, and news outlets treated it like a national emergency. All over a poorly lit photo of a $77 dress.
It was one of the most absurdly delightful internet phenomena ever. People weren’t just curious — they were passionate. It felt like the world stopped to collectively lose its mind over a Tumblr post. And we absolutely loved it.
