*This list was original posted on 06/12/2019 and was updated on 19/05/2020 to include new information, or new entries to the list.
I wrote a pretty lengthy intro regarding Cracked on the companion piece to this post, so I will be more brief and succinct here, but for those of you unfamiliar with Cracked, it is a humor site formed in 2005, by former ABC News Producer, Jack O’Brien. It is descended from a Mad Magazine style print of the same name.
In broad strokes Cracked is similar to Collegehumor, as both have overlapping demographics, both had/have sites which focused on humor content, articles and lists, and both have/had a thriving video content section. So with that in mind, once you’re finished with this list, you might also want to check out my Top 10 lists for Collegehumor, these represent both standalone videos and those which are part of an extended series, and you can find them by clicking here and here respectively.
Cracked produced video content consistently from when the channel first started posting on the 21st November 2007 until the lay off of its video production staff on the 4th December 2017 just over a decade later. Some content still went up after this point, for example the second season of People Watching went up between the 23rd August 2018 and the 31st October 2018. But for the most part the channel had become inactive, until the 24th April 2020 when a new video was uploaded, and it seems to be part of an ongoing series which promises to continue every Friday at 3pm EST (Eastern Standard Time). This new series, called Your Brain on Cracked is a real return to form for the channel, and is hosted by the awesome Jordan Breeding who you can find out more about by visiting his website.
Anyway, that seems like enough to be going on with, you can check out the companion piece to this list here, in it we explore the best standalone Cracked videos, but for now read on and find out my Top 10 extended series from Cracked.
1. After Hours (86 Episodes)
It was hard to pick my favourite Cracked series, but in the end this one made the cut because I go back to it most often, so when I think of Cracked, I think of After Hours. Personal favourite episodes from After Hours include If You Could Have Dinner (and sex) with Any Famous Figure, The Six Most Unintentionally Creepy Sitcom Characters, The Only 8 Types of TV Shows that Get Made and Why the Friends from Friends are Bad People.
2. Cracked TV/Does Not Compute (55 Episodes)
Nearly claimed the top spot because this is one of my favourite Cracked series I even liked it after the transition from Cracked TV to Does Not Compute, the former seemed a little more low tech and less flashy but overall both were funny and silly and entertaining to watch for the 1st or 100th time. Personally favourite episodes from Cracked TV/Does Not Compute include Elexploitation: 9 Shameless Ways People Milked the Election, 9 Child Prodigies who are Clearly Dangerous Mutants, 8 Great Foods for Explaining why the Terrorists Hate Us and The Hilariously Insane Ads in the History of Local TV.
3. Obsessive Pop Culture Disorder (41 Episodes)
Obsessive Pop Culture Disorder or OPCD really gave Dan O’Brien a chance to shine, previously I’d only seen him as part of an ensemble where he played to the stereotype of being a bit of a nerd. But OPCD really showed more of what I think he’s really like. Personal favourite episodes from Obsessive Pop Culture Disorder include 4 Movie Side Characters Screwed by the Hero, The 4 Most Literally Insane Statements made by U.S Presidents, A Moment by Moment Breakdown of the Worst Music Video Ever and Officially the Worst Movie Idea Anyone has Ever Had.
4. Some News (33 Episodes)
When I first started watching Cracked I liked Cody Johnston but couldn’t honestly say I was a fan. That was at least until Some News, which is amazingly entertaining and informative and so snarky. Personal favourite episodes from Some News Include This Boar is a Weapon of Mass Destruction, The Oceans Are Heating Up, But The President’s Hats Are Cool and The Entire President Donald Trump/Russia Story (So Far).
5. People Watching (20 Episodes)
People watching was such a strong addition to the Cracked line-up that it even softened the blow of the channel cutting off their video content. Personal favourite episodes from People Watching include Why Speed Dating is Terrible, Why Non Religious Confessionals Should Be a Thing and Why Dating With Depression Is So (Bleeping) Hard.
6. The Startup (16 Episodes)
When I was making up this list, I had to decide between this or ‘Escort Mission’ for inclusion on this list, in the end The Startup earned a place because in my mind it’s just that bit better. Personal favourite episodes from The Startup include Logo Design: Only as Important as Your Company Is Pointless, A Conspiracy Theory Too Weird Even for the Internet, Why You Never Trust People With ‘Idea’ in Their Job Title and The Creepiest Thing for Your Boss to Care About.
7. The Spit Take (46 Episodes)
I never realised until this series how much I liked Jack O’Brien, he has a natural charm that makes him a great host, and there isn’t a single episode of The Spit Take that I don’t enjoy. Personal favourite episodes of The Spit Take include The 4 Most Insulting TV Ads You See Every Christmas, The 4 Most Brilliant Displays of Sucking at Your Job, 4 Famous TV Ads That Invented Horrifying Fictional Universes, 6 Shockingly Out-of-Touch Celebrities and 6 Insane Foreign Remakes Of Famous American Blockbusters.
8. Rom.Com (11 Episodes)
Is a charming little series by Cracked that has some of the main cast running a dating agency, it’s quite clever, pulls at the heart strings just ring and also manages to satirise both romantic comedies and dating sites in general. It was refreshing and well worth watching. Personal favourite episodes of Rom.Com include The 7 Most Popular Lies to Tell in Online Dating Profiles, 16 Flaws Men Will Ignore on a Hot Girl’s Dating Profile and Why Dating Website Employees Are Terrible Matchmakers.
9. Antiheroes (5 Episodes)
A series which satirised and adds to the superhero genre, it’s funny, well paced especially considering the relatively short length of the videos and it’s engaging as a story. Personal favourite episodes of Antiheroes include Great Superpowers Are a Huge Pain in the Ass, Why You Shouldn’t Get Drunk With Superheroes and Why Superhero Stories Don’t Need a Villain.
10. Today’s Topic (72 Episodes)
Today’s Topic allows the entire cast to show off their talents on screen, and much like After Hours a lot of the content can or does come from their website, but it’s just presented in a more engaging fashion. Personal favourite episodes of Today’s Topics include Pulp Fiction’s Two Parallel Timelines: A Conspiracy Theory, Leonardo Da Vinci: History’s Most Unexpected Supervillain, The Awful Truth about Movies ‘Based on a True Story’ and Why the Ninja Turtles’ Master Splinter Was a Cult Leader.
Honourable mentions go to Agents of Cracked, Welcome Back Potter and Your Brain on Cracked which I also really enjoyed but didn’t quite make the top 10 list.
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