The Accidental Origin of the Internet’s Favorite Affirmation by Jacob Wysocki

Few could have predicted that Jacob Wysocki’s “You Are a Regular Guy” outburst on the Dropout improv series Make Some Noise would become a cultural phenomenon—least of all the comedian behind it.

The moment originated in the fourth episode of Season 4, titled “Zunk, Junk, and Dunk,” which debuted on Dropout.tv in late 2025. In this competitive improv format hosted by Sam Reich, performers are challenged with increasingly absurd prompts. Alongside fellow comedians Zac Oyama and Devin Field, Wysocki initially stole the spotlight by demonstrating an unexpected mastery of the Renaissance-era Hümmelchen bagpipe, outshining his peers with genuine musical skill.

However, the episode’s true climax arrived during a prompt titled “These Daily Affirmations are a Bit Off.” While all three performers offered hilariously unsettling mantras, Wysocki’s contribution—a high-energy, manic chant centered on the refrain “You are a regular guy!”—instantly resonated with the audience.

“Wow!” host Sam Reich remarked after the bit. “That was surprisingly motivating.”

The digital world clearly agreed. In the ensuing weeks, the clip exploded across TikTok, amassing millions of views and inspiring a wave of creative tributes. The internet responded with musical remixes, heavy metal guitar riffs, and even fully realized original songs. Notably, Australian artist Montaigne dedicated a lengthy livestream to transforming the rant into a pop anthem.

Another viral standout includes a supercut featuring Shane Hollander (portrayed by Hudson Williams) performing mundane tasks—entering rooms, making small talk, waking up—perfectly synchronized to Wysocki’s aggressive affirmations.

During a conversation regarding the new Dimension 20: Gladlands series, Wysocki reflected on the moment’s origin and his shock at its longevity.

“I was just in the zone,” Wysocki explained. “If you put me in front of a mic with a prompt, I’m going to give it everything. That’s the job. Then I head home and unwind.”

Whether navigating a post-apocalyptic landscape in Dimension 20 or improvising on the fly, Wysocki believes successful comedy stems from radical listening. He describes his process as finding a “slipstream”—a rhythmic harmony with his fellow performers that allows the bit to evolve naturally through mutual trust and honesty.

“You just vibrate on the same frequency as everyone else in the room,” added Gladlands costar Oscar Montoya. “It works because it comes from a place of genuine sincerity that people can feel.”

As for the inspiration behind the “regular guy” persona? It turns out the bit was more personal than it appeared.

“I’ve actually had to tell myself that in real life,” Wysocki admitted. “It’s a way to center myself—just a regular guy getting through the day. Now there’s an Instagram account posting it every 24 hours. It’s wild to think I’m taking up server space with that, but I’m proud of it.”

Fans of Wysocki can currently see him in Dimension 20: Gladlands, where he voices the gentle giant Kokomo. New episodes of the series air Thursdays on Dropout.tv and the Dropout YouTube Membership channel. Meanwhile, fresh episodes of Make Some Noise continue to drop every Monday.

Source: Polygon