You might’ve seen “Inside” on Netflix, or the movie “Eighth Grade.” But do you really know @boburnham?
The Massachusetts native has proven himself as one to know, racking up six recent Emmy nominations. Here's a primer on the internet superstar. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
The Massachusetts native has proven himself as one to know, racking up six recent Emmy nominations. Here's a primer on the internet superstar. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
Burnham started as just a kid in his room, uploading videos to YouTube.
The videos managed to go viral before the phrase “going viral” ever did. In 2008, at 18, he became the youngest person to record a Comedy Central special.
The videos managed to go viral before the phrase “going viral” ever did. In 2008, at 18, he became the youngest person to record a Comedy Central special.
Burnham’s early work was a reflection of the Internet’s humor at the time.
He was self-deprecating and pun-heavy. When it came to social commentary, he often relied on shock value to prompt introspection, in ways that wouldn’t get a pass today. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
He was self-deprecating and pun-heavy. When it came to social commentary, he often relied on shock value to prompt introspection, in ways that wouldn’t get a pass today. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
In 2013, Burnham, then 23, released a book called “Egghead,” which was a collection of amusing, absurdist poems.
He also returned to the stage for his one-man show, “what.,” which would later stream on Netflix. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
He also returned to the stage for his one-man show, “what.,” which would later stream on Netflix. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
Burnham, who already was famous by 2014, found a new audience on Vine.
Even after the app’s death, new and old fans re-uploaded compilations of his Vine content as acts of preservation to YouTube, generating hundreds of thousands of views.
Even after the app’s death, new and old fans re-uploaded compilations of his Vine content as acts of preservation to YouTube, generating hundreds of thousands of views.
Burnham released “Make Happy” in 2016 before he stopped performing live to take care of his mental health.
In the special, he lamented straight white male privilege, called out pandering millionaires, and focused a lot on the role of entertainers.
In the special, he lamented straight white male privilege, called out pandering millionaires, and focused a lot on the role of entertainers.
In 2018, Burnham wrote and directed “Eighth Grade,” a coming-of-age film starring Elsie Fisher as 13-year-old Kayla.
Around that time, Burnham also acknowledged publicly that some of his early work was inexcusable. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
Around that time, Burnham also acknowledged publicly that some of his early work was inexcusable. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
In “Inside,” the kid who accidentally fell into early online fame is back in his room in front of a computer.
But this time, he’s a 30-year-old man who’s experienced the toll of an overstimulating digital landscape and is trying to cope during a pandemic. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
But this time, he’s a 30-year-old man who’s experienced the toll of an overstimulating digital landscape and is trying to cope during a pandemic. bos.gl/Y26jMNI
The catchy, synth-y stylings of “Inside” were suited to blow up on TikTok, without much context needed.
On TikTok, where creators whittle down and pick apart longer media to seconds, “Inside” has delivered what may be years of freestanding viral snippets.
On TikTok, where creators whittle down and pick apart longer media to seconds, “Inside” has delivered what may be years of freestanding viral snippets.
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