Podcast Summary: Ben Shapiro RANKS Viral TikTok Trends

Podcast: The Ben Shapiro Show
Host: Ben Shapiro (The Daily Wire)
Co-host: Devin
Date: March 21, 2026

Overview

In this culturally charged episode, Ben Shapiro dives headfirst into the world of viral TikTok trends, offering his trademark rapid-fire, critical commentary. Guided by co-host Devin, Ben ranks a slew of popular TikTok challenges, dissecting each for amusement value, social implications, and cultural commentary. The episode is equal parts skeptical mockery, genuine amusement, and sociological analysis—served with Ben’s characteristic wit and precision.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Owl Impressions" Trend

[01:32 - 03:12]

• Trend Description: Users mimic owls with different cultural "accents" (e.g., jealous girlfriend owl, Jamaican owl, Brooklyn owl).
• Ben’s Take: Finds it “mildly amusing” but notes, “Can you sum up a culture in a grunt? Okay. All right. Not terrible. That…was not terrible.” (Ben, 02:56-03:12)
• Memorable Moment: The group attempts their own versions, including a “Jewish owl.”
• Core Insight: Humorous but superficial—lampoons cultural stereotypes with a single syllable.

2. The "Tortilla Slap Challenge"

[03:12 - 04:40]

• Trend Description: Participants fill their mouths with water and slap each other with tortillas, trying not to laugh.
• Ben’s Skepticism: Questions the acceptability of hitting others, even playfully: “So this whole thing is predicated on it’s okay to hit people now?” (Ben, 03:40)
• Amusement Factor: Finds it “funny and amusing” to watch but says, “Would I do this with my wife? No. This is gonna be a big no.” (Ben, 04:02)
• Devin’s Theory: Suggests, “Girls just made this up so they could slap men.” (Devin, 04:19)
• Ranking: “10 out of 10. Wood watch.” (Ben, 04:33)

3. General Commentary: TikTok & Modern Leisure

[04:44 - 05:21]

• Observation: “We are a society with far too much time on our hands. That is what I take away from this now.” (Ben, 04:44)
• Self-mockery: Jokes about staff wasting time on TikTok and makes references to “Harvard” and learning more at The Daily Wire.

4. Athlete Quiz Challenge

[07:15 - 08:49]

• Trend Description: Husbands quiz wives on the names of famous male athletes.
• Execution: Devin successfully identifies LeBron James, then humorously errors (“Jim Carrey” for Tom Brady).
• Ben’s Commentary: Points out the gender reverse: “Women could absolutely do this to men…with female influencers…Like, I have no idea what you’re talking about. None.” (Ben, 08:07-08:22)
• Personal Anecdote: Ben shares that on his first date, his wife didn’t know who Mitt Romney was.

5. Random Object/Mary Poppins Challenge

[08:49 - 10:25]

• Trend Description: Bringing random (sometimes large) objects to school/work, trying to make others laugh.
• Amusement: Ben finds the “mixing bowl” the funniest, less so the “squash.”
• Insight: “This is just the Mary Poppins challenge, right? Like, what is the biggest thing that you can take out of your bag is what makes it funny.” (Ben, 10:02)
• Personal Touch: Ben jokes about bringing a sword or his kids’ Lord of the Rings swords.

6. Ridiculous Stunt Videos & Critique

[10:36 - 11:16]

• Example Clip: Catching things with a giant “jacker ball.”
• Ben's Reaction: “I hate this. I truly hate this. And also, I’m confused by the use of Katy Perry’s lesbian music.” (Ben, 11:03-11:16)
• Devin’s Addition: Suggests it’s a good life insurance ad—Ben humorously agrees some acts are uninsurable due to stupidity.

7. Rhythm/Counting Challenge

[11:31 - 12:20]

• Trend Description: Coordinated hand/beat counting, “Savvy got it like, right away.”
• Ben’s Difficulty: “I’m not gonna get it. I don’t care. One, two, three.” (Ben, 11:48-11:57)
• Celebration: Devin notes the “excited Savvy face;” Ben jokes, “It’s in my jeans.”
• Tongue-in-Cheek: Co-hosts end the segment with fake pride in studio “diversity.”

8. Final Ranking & Wrap-up

[13:03 - 14:17]

• Ben’s Two-Tier System:
  • Most Watchable: 1) Tortilla Slap, 2) Object Challenge, 3) “Who” owl trend, 4) Rhyming/Counting, 5) Others, 6) “The shark”—which he detests.
  • Most Likely to Try: 1) Object Challenge, 2) The “Who” challenge, 3) Rhythm/Counting, 4) Tortilla Slap, 5) Others.
• Conclusion: “The tortilla is definitely the most amusing. Like, if you’re going to watch, like, a series of 10 videos, the tortilla thing is really amusing. And the object thing is also very amusing. Those are the two.” (Ben, 14:08-14:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Outlook:
  • "TikTok is the dumbest place on earth and there are many TikTok trends that are unbelievably stupid." (Ben, 01:32)
• On Cultural Parody:
  • “It has nothing to do with owls. It’s basically just, can you sum up a culture in a grunt?” (Ben, 02:56-03:12)
• On Stunt Videos:
  • “Some very, very strange choices being made there.” (Ben, 11:16)
• On Generational Habits:
  • “We are a society with far too much time on our hands.” (Ben, 04:44)
• On Gender Roles in Trends:
  • “Women could absolutely do this to men, but it would be with, like, female influencers…” (Ben, 08:07-08:22)
• On Preferences:
  • “10 out of 10. Wood watch.” (Ben, 04:33)
  • “The tortilla is definitely the most amusing.” (Ben, 14:08)
• On Personal Boundaries:
  • “Would I do this with my wife? No. My wife would be like, no on this. This is gonna be a big no.” (Ben, 04:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------| | 01:32 | Ben Introduces TikTok Trend Rankings | | 01:54-03:12 | “Owl Impression” Trend Review & Impressions | | 03:12-04:40 | Tortilla Slap Challenge Breakdown | | 04:44-05:21 | Society’s Free Time & TikTok Reflections | | 07:15-08:49 | Athlete Quiz Challenge with Devin | | 08:49-10:25 | Random Object (Mary Poppins) Challenge | | 10:36-11:16 | Absurd Jacker Ball Stunt Reaction | | 11:31-12:20 | Rhythm/Counting Challenge Attempt | | 13:03-14:17 | Final Rankings & Summary of Favorites |

Tone and Language

• Sarcastic and quick-witted with flashes of genuine amusement.
• Critical, conservative, and somewhat dismissive of “Gen Z” trends, but not without open-minded curiosity.
• Conversational camaraderie between Ben and Devin keeps even the snark light-hearted and engaging.

In Summary

Ben’s ranking of viral TikTok trends is less a complete takedown and more a blend of mockery, backhanded appreciation, and cultural curiosity. While he finds much of TikTok “dumb,” he concedes that some trends—namely the tortilla slap and object challenge—are “amusing,” even if he wouldn't personally participate. For listeners, this episode offers not just laughs, but insight into what these trends say about online culture and generational divides—with plenty of Ben Shapiro’s signature zingers along the way.