Ben Schwartz And The Boom Squad Deliver Hilarious Improv Chaos

Instagram/@rejectedjokes

Schwartz really went far polishing this outrageously funny improvised bit with his cast, and the internet has gone crazy over it. The actor-comedian along with Drew Tarver, Eugene Cordero, and Lauren Lapkus undertook an all-out silly scene, distinguishing bonding, if that’s a way to put it, with a high school football team, The Boom Squad, over all-you-can-eat sushi. Pure improvisational madness from the call-and-response chants to the orders of questionable fish, interrupted only by the sudden reveal of IBS that set the fans off in laughter.

Advertisement

Just consider this: Schwartz plays an outsider who somehow bonds with the most obnoxious of jocks over Fortnite and sushi runs. The fictional Boom Squad is almost unhinged, yelling “When I say boom, you say squad!” while demanding to be served the thinnest slice of salmon on this earth. From there, things really just completely derailed, with Diddy Kong Racing debates (we really shall circle back around to this) and “He has IBS” being announced in a way that perfectly underlined good classic Schwartz weirdness.

The flashback to a Nintendo rave was an instant winner with the fandom, with one fan proclaiming, “Diddy Kong Racing was niche and important,” while another disagreed, surely: “It is the best racing game ever. Full stop.” This boosted another nostalgic discussion about Blockbuster rentals and the underrated Pipsy. Others, meanwhile, could not even begin to comprehend the absurdity that the Boom Squad, not liking fish, should go to a sushi joint. “Mostly rice” became an accidental anthem.

Then came the IBS reveal. An array of comments came from spectators who were completely blindsided by yet such a gastrointestinal ending after three whole minutes of screaming over sushi with one stating: “Really took me out 🤣,” and another beginning to form a chant: “When I say LOOSE, you say BOWELS.” There were special shout-outs to Lauren Lapkus’ deadpan delivery of the line, further cementing that the unpredictability of improv is where the magic lies.

Interestingly, the clip was sort of a tour promo, as Schwartz promoted some forthcoming dates for ’25. Austin, in particular, responded with chair emojis, (no explanation has yet been provided, but we’re intrigued). Others were clamoring for clips from his Aussie shows, which means that this bit might just have international potential.

Why does this work? Schwartz-and-the-rest are willing to play it all the way through the sheer stupidity of the bit. There is such an eagerness to genuinely express the beauty of grown adults discussing 90s kart racing and six pieces of salmon like their lives depended on it. That is unbridled creativity that basically explains why improv is cherished in our hearts, especially when it ends with just a casual mention of IBS.

The Boom Squad is, of course, fiction, but the laughter is real. If this gave you any hint of what you can expect at Schwartz tours, then it’s going to be a gloriously crazy evening. Maybe just don’t go for sushi beforehand.

Advertisement

In reviewing the moment, it’s clear that fans truly enjoy these spontaneous interactions and the shared laughter they bring. Additionally, many were delighted as Schwartz celebrated his show achieving a milestone 15 years on Netflix, which further highlights his impact on the comedy landscape.