Here's Something: 2022 in Review
We’re nearly there. In just a few days we’ll leave 2022 in the rearview mirror, where it’ll join 2020 and 2021 in a tailgating competition—all three angrily following us for the rest of our lives.
This year, I wrote and published over 80 pieces of satire exclusive to this newsletter, alongside nearly 30 pieces for The New Yorker and McSweeney’s. I also composed at least a few dozen text messages. And now it’s time to take a look back at the humor that you—the esteemed readers of Here’s Something—loved the most. So…
Most-Read
This year, the most-read piece of humor I wrote exclusively for the Here’s Something newsletter was:
I’m the Batman. Please Stop Doxxing Me.
You may be surprised to learn that I didn’t write this piece about Elon Musk—at least not initially. It was, instead, inspired by the far-right anti-LGBTQ vigilante-esque “Libs of TikTok” account owner who wasn’t “doxxed” (as she and her supporters claim) so much as held to account for news-worthy endangerment of both individuals and entire groups of people, as well as outsized influence on actual lawmaking.
But Elon’s done a pretty good job making himself the new butt of this joke.
Most-Shared
This year, the most-shared Here’s Something piece was about a different egomaniac billionaire. It was:
Other Reasons Trump Tried to Grab the Wheel of the Presidential Limo
This was one of my most “topical” pieces, responding directly to an hours-old report that on Jan 6, Trump had attempted to grab the wheel of the presidential limo to redirect the vehicle and join in the insurrection. It was meant, of course, to further infantilize the former president—but it was also meant to push back on the idea that there was any other reason he would grab the wheel than to join the insurrection he incited.
Most-Liked
In 2023, I encourage you to smash that “like” button and make your voice heard like a true American. This past year, the most-liked Here’s Something piece was:
As the President of the United States, I Am Asking You to Please Solve This
This piece was inspired by many establishment democrats’ responses to the inevitable overturning of Roe v. Wade, which consistently implored the public to vote—rather than present any sort of immediate action they planned on taking as elected leaders in positions of power. I think this piece works as a comedic response to many kinds of inaction, and I’m tentatively adapting it to be published in my upcoming collection.
Most-Subscribed
This year, the Here’s Something piece that brought in the most new subscribers was:
Here at the New York Times, We Believe Every Op-Ed—No Matter How Dangerous—Must Be Carried to Term
This piece was directly responding to the heavy amount of anti-abortion propaganda the NYT gave an ample platform to this year. It infused wordplay with a no-holds-barred criticism of a “both sides” editorial section. It seems to have resonated, as it brought in the most new subscribers for a single piece in 2022. I guess, from now on, I will exclusively publish this same piece every week.
Most-Read (Crosspost)
This year, the most-read piece of humor I crossposted between outside publications and Here’s Something was:
Where I Was Each Time I Heard the News That Pete Davidson Was Dating a New Celebrity (The New Yorker)
This was one of my favorite pieces I wrote this year, and one of the few non-political pieces to top the Here’s Something charts. Interesting fact: this was the longest humor piece I published in 2022, clocking in at nearly 1,200 words.
Most-Read (Non-Newsletter)
And finally… this year, the most popular piece of humor I published outside of Here’s Something was, once again, about one of the Worst Guys of the Year:
I Like Free Speech So Much I’ve Decided to Buy It (McSweeney’s)
Unfortunately, after this piece was published, he only got way worse.
Thanks for being a Here’s Something subscriber. It means the world to me that you continue to read and support my work. I’m really excited for what next year has in store.
For humor writing.
Not for, you know, society at-large.
We’re really dancing on a knife’s edge right now.
But hey, all that means is we can never stop dancing, right?
Have a great New Year, and I’ll see you in 2023!
