Sabrina Brier and Kyle Gordon on How to Be Funny Online

“We will be” “Making content until the day we die!”

It’s a seemingly extreme observation, but through the comments of comedians Sabrina Breyer and Kyle Gordon on TikTok, it’s a peek into the often hilarious and often absurd world of online comedy. As the creator economy has expanded, influencers and creators have infiltrated nearly every market and professional field—including theater. But comedy is an industry where creators are sometimes seen as “other.” That’s why it helps to have friends in the business. Breyer and Gordon are perfect examples.

Briar is best known for her online sketches in which she plays increasingly annoying best friends, passive-aggressive roommates, or annoying New York City immigrants. In the three years since she became an active online creator, she has guest-starred on the popular ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary School; She released an audiobook based on her popular TikTok persona, titled That friend; and is approaching 1 million followers. For Gordon, a comedian who specializes in musical personas — his TikTok moment came with the promotion of his ’90s Eurodance parody “Planet of the Bass.” In the clips that have gone viral, Gordon plays DJ Crazy Times, a European DJ desperate to deliver the song of the summer with lyrics like “Life, never die” / “Women are my favorite man.” Now with over 3 million followers, Gordon has also released an entire album of musical parodies and is working on his second album. But perhaps one of the creatives’ happiest moments together came when they met at a party and decided they should just collaborate, first making a simple TikTok and then eventually having Bryer join Gordon in a video to promote the release of “Planet of the Bass.” “It was a coincidence,” Gordon says. “Picturing something out in the world … definitely did a number on my lack of shame,” Bryer adds. “I think that’s full exposure therapy. “I don't think I'll ever feel embarrassed again.”