Brain Surgeon - That Mitchell & Webb Look , Series 3 - BBC

[@ihathtelekinesis]

As soon as she says "Did they keep you late at the space centre?" the whole thing unfolds with glorious predictability.

[@tamircohen1512]

Not gonna lie I predicted the punchline even before the space centre line and that just confirmed it :)

[@JHJensen]

@voidz Well it doesn't take brain surgeon to see that coming. :)

[@whatwouldiknow1759]

So?

[@davidblurton7158]

just brilliant,,,

[@Githegi]

@@JHJensen or even a rocket scientist

[@lindybeige]

What I love about this sketch is that you can hear the punchline coming from so far off, and yet you are still dying to hear it.

[@alfredsharp239]

Lindybeige! I love your videos :)

[@A_Box]

Lindybeige!

[@donnydont]

Why are you just repeating other top comments

[@mdjmurray]

Maybe he just wrote that without reading the other comments.

[@0-Kirby-0]

Hi Lindy

[@ianrhodes6928]

The pause and drink after David says 'Brain surgery?' is what makes the sketch. Superb timing.

[@weyekhn.3260]

Eyes open, blankly starin' into space (pun not intended... ;D ).

[@VevoIsBent]

The punchline is obvious but I think the real beauty of this sketch is the timing. Mitchell taking that sip before the punchline just absolutely kills it.

[@BR-jt6ny]

This is so good. You can see the punchline coming from a mile away but it's still so satisfying!

[@SolarWebsite]

Birta R That's probably why it's so good! I love it :-)

[@LordSandwichII]

+Birta R It's weird how sometimes the funniest jokes are ones where you can predict what the punchline is going to be right from the beginning!

[@GypsyLeah]

+Birta R Seeing it coming is part of the joke you pillock.

[@HalfDayHero]

my thoughts exactly haha

[@jazzygeofferz]

It's that little groan that goes up from the audience as soon as she asks how he got on at the space centre. The whole sketch is so well executed.

[@brandonxing9546]

Its the delivery that makes it happen.

[@dannyboy12357]

Yup

[@jounihat]

Yeah, but it's just acting. Not exactly rocket science.

[@demianhaki7598]

+Brandon Xing That sip of champagne before he says it xD

[@highfunctioningsociopath4761]

No, that's obstetrics.

[@celinak5062]

Brandon Xing ya perfect timing

[@lot24]

"I'm an accountant." "Oh, that's GOOD.."

[@Trollificusv2]

"Charity? Oh God, I couldn't do what you do. Well, I _could_ , it's not hard. I mean, it's not brain surgery, is it?" Freaking Webb is so damn good at "smarmy" it's amazing.

[@ahumanmerelybeing]

The way he fills "good" with so much condescension is a thing of beauty.

[@Autotrope]

That's such a Robert Webb line isn't it

[@holliswilliams8426]

I knew some smarmy medical types and some of them were like that.

[@rykehuss3435]

@@holliswilliams8426 are they brain surgeons?

[@adriannissen]

I love how the humour in this actually comes from the anticipation of the lines

[@Juniar101]

Comedy is all about tension and release

[@thelouisfanclub]

someone lost it at "did they keep you late at the space centre"

[@aakksshhaayy]

+thelouisfanclub i think they were laughing at the two other people hurrying away

[@EnclosedPoolArea]

+aakksshhaayy I think they picked up on the punch line there

[@MicrowaveBackground]

+aakksshhaayy no they weren't

[@gavinhudson5251]

@@aakksshhaayy It's easy to work out, I'm mean it isn't exactly brain surgery is it!

[@dfrossness]

@aakksshhaayy spotted the american who finds british humour a bit too complex. I mean... it's not exactly brain surgery.

[@GBart]

I like how you can tell different members of the audience figured it out at different times

[@user-hi4sm3ig5j]

I only realised soon as 'space centre' popped up.

[@gamblemadman]

@JeSSEbism And it's not like the punchline was rocket s... oh.

[@icarus-wings]

Clearly there are not many rocket scientists in the crowd.

[@valkyrja--]

@@icarus-wings clearly you aren't one lol

[@The_Digital_Dolphin]

Its canned laughter isn't it?

[@bensmithkent22]

the sip he takes from the glass makes this before the punchline

[@Ginric99]

What I like is that we only see Jack for a few seconds but instantly get the sense he isn’t a giant prick, but, is self aware enough to know when one needs putting in its place :)

[@billfroug]

This is the single most perfect comedy sketch I've ever seen. I can watch it over and over again.

[@RobertMounceOnLine]

Four candles?

[@billfroug]

@@RobertMounceOnLine Thanks, I didn't know that one. Very good, but quite difficult to understand for me as a non-native speaker 😅

[@capitalb5889]

​@@billfroug- yeah, four candles is ok, it's a bit of a different sketch. One I love from this pair is the corner shop /alcohol sketch - it's hilarious, but depressingly true when you read the comments.

[@bazookasniper5167]

Whos on first

[@Roanix1]

Here it is. You've found it... the greatest sketch ever written.

[@IAlwaysWantedToTryThat]

Such a classic. I still regularly share this with my coworkers at NASA.

[@GirlSmotheredToDeath]

I shared this with my neurosurgeon colleagues.

[@officialFredDurstfanclub]

My friends at the accounting department didn’t like it

[@XhMOod12345]

Lmao

[@js0988]

NASA? Not exactly quantum physics, now is it.

[@reet7201]

I think it is 😂

[@beastinthesky6774]

I love the one quick audience member who bursts into laughter the moment the words "space center" leave her lips. 1:29

[@kevinconway5896]

Thats the laugh tape

[@obi501]

​@@kevinconway5896nah this isn't an American sitcom, it was filmed Infront of a live audience

[@MissBrri]

And then a rocket surgeon walks into the room......

[@personzorz]

You mean Scott Manley?

[@Erekose2023]

personzorz What a great comeback!!! for SCIENCE!.

[@666j1]

personzorz HELLO ITS SCOTT MANLEY

[@38Fanda]

MissBrri Scott Manley xD

[@FigmentSALabel]

+MissBrri While I'm still laughing!

[@mdjmurray]

That dead stare David Mitchell gives as he says "Brain surgery?" is absolutely perfect.

[@Nonregional]

Webb's acting is incredible in this sketch. He is just aching to talk about how awesomely difficult his job is.

[@snappycattimesten]

That woman who laughs first at 1:30 is very quick. She must be a rocket surgeon.

[@stevenmcalister826]

Rocket surgery?…… Not exactly brain science, is it?

[@VoltaDoMar]

Love this joke more than any other bit on Mitchell & Webb. They telegraph the joke so obviously but the anticipation makes it even better somehow.

[@IceWolfLoki]

It's because the Brain Surgeon has been so obnoxious through out the sketch that you need to see the tables turned.

[@russcooke5671]

@@IceWolfLoki of course but even when you can see he is going to be put in he’s place it’s still hilarious he’s even got a rocket scientist jumper on. Funny 😂😂😂😂

[@chrisofnottingham]

What I love about this is that when she says "Did they keep you late at the space centre?" you can tell pretty much what is going to happen, - the audience starts laughing already - but it is still funny when it happens.

[@Argumemnon]

In comedy, sometimes the timing is as important as the actual joke.

[@cupofteam]

This might be the best sketch ever made. The way it plays with the audience is masterful

[@JJBinxyboo]

+CupOfTeam Ah! I knew I could detect a little Mitchell and Webb in your sketches!

[@carrotsporks]

Yeah, it's really perfectly made. It's not one where the punch line is hidden from you either, which definitely takes talent to pull off. You can see what happening as soon as the hostess asks Mitchell about the space center, and the way they dance around what we all know before finally delivering the final line is just perfect.

[@codpug]

i still think the nazi skit with the baddies is the best

[@ihathtelekinesis]

Especially the Baxter one. So reminiscent of the Old Sherlock Holmes sketch.

[@eIucidate]

The sip of that drink before he delivers the inevitable punchline is just pure epic.

[@samdg1234]

I can watch this 5 times consecutively and it still brings a smile to my face. So well performed.

[@ericfshook]

I've seen this probably 50 times in 3 years and it still kills me.

[@MountainNZ]

+Eric Franklin Shook Its like watching the villain die in a movie. So satisfying.

[@jasper24601]

Lol I read that as 3 times in 50 years.

[@michaelbauers8800]

Same here. I laugh every time. I think it's mainly because of the over the top arrogance of the brain surgeon, and how many times he says he's a brain surgeon.

[@illogicmath]

I watched it 51 times

[@AndrewMichaelSpenceBoyd]

The beautiful part about this sketch is that we see the punchline coming from a mile away and yet...it's still hilarious. These guys are wonderful. Recommend Peep Show as well.

[@DeJayHank]

It's amplified by the long pause before he actually says it :D

[@pizzafacesuperleipoman8634]

Peep Show is comedic gold.

[@headphoner89]

i love the way robert webb looks at his watch at the end, encapsulates his frustration perfectly, very simple but very effective they are truly great actors

[@geertex]

Cant get enough of this sketch. Must have watched it 20+ times over the span of about 10 years. I am not sure what it is but it just feels like perfect comedy.

[@lorisarvendu]

Mitchell & Webb have some real gems. I particularly like "now we know" and the "Pinocchio trilogy" from the radio show.

[@MaraudingJ]

One of my favorite details is the lone person who starts chuckling the moment Sarah Hadland's character says "Space Center" (1:30). Sure, the punchline is obvious within a couple seconds of this line, but here we have someone who managed to spot it even a fraction earlier than the rest of us. Kudos to you, Lone Chuckler!

[@adeadgirl13]

The funny thing about this sketch is how long David makes us wait for the punchline we all are waiting for!

[@geeman1293]

The thing about M&W is the material is not only hilarious, but they're such good actors; fantastic comedic timing and nuance. I'll watch a sketch repeatedly just for the performances alone. Brits are best, imo!

[@VoltaDoMar]

***** It's because they telegraphed the joke so far ahead here, you know it's coming.. so timing is everything. Then when he finally says it, it's so satisfying.

[@davidsonmick]

Gee Man Yes, it's absolute genius isn't it? I only have to start thinking about this sketch and I'm laughing. And I must have seen the video a thousand times. :)

[@theforeverpuddle8754]

+Gee Man That's why we took over the world.

[@highfunctioningsociopath4761]

+Arthur Peterson Well not any more, but hey, at least you've still got James Bond.

[@MsKatyDidKnot]

I wish this show was still running!

[@yuccichou]

Old but GOLD! I always come back to this video when I encounter people who LOVE talking about how significant their job is.

[@dadragonmaster]

What I love about this Comment Section is that you can tell what the comments are going to be from a mile away but it's still funny

[@johnvalentine4720]

That last sentence is delivered with perfection.

[@niansenx]

The timing on David Mitchell's last line was aboslutely perfect.

[@kazuomayeda]

Hands down one of their best sketches. Doesn't take a brain surgeon to know why 😂

[@Autotrope]

Most satisfying punch line to a skit, EVER, despite that you knew it was coming. Mitchell and Webb are comic geniuses. They could make the chicken crossing the road joke hilarious.

[@pronkb000]

Such a predictable finish, but that actually works in its favor. I love the audience reaction as soon as the hostess mentions the "Space Center." They know exactly where it's going from there.

[@ScottStruzik]

The best part is that you know what the punchline is going to be, yet it's still epic when they drop it.

[@investigate3_11]

I've watched this sketch so many times. It still hasn't stopped being funny. Pure brilliance.

[@Pinkstylist]

Lolol brilliant show x good ol' british humour! Wait.. I commented this 8 years ago... still freaking hilarious!

[@ScottStruzik]

I come back to this and watch it at least a couple times a year.

[@daishi5571]

You did update your comment from the now terribly aged "haha" to the more modern "Lolol" Who can believe people spoke like that back in those days.

[@oof8850]

See you in another 8 years my boy

[@JKelly282]

How's the last 8 years been ?

[@vladdracul5072]

@@daishi5571 Actually, being able to compare those two terms vis-à-vis, I must say I prefer the older form as it is much more elegant.

[@Koalacausst]

Hilarious dialogue aside - these guys are incredible at the characters they play. So glad I found them

[@mstandenberg1421]

+Sean L Watched Peep Show?

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I completely missed these guys when they were originally broadcast. Some of their material is priceless!

[@Pinkstylist]

haha, brilliant show x good ol' british humour eh ;D

[@Brody-te7yl]

Just saw this on Twitter thought I'd say hi lol my Twitter in case you want to know is @abrave808

[@sandybritton9284]

In comedy, timing is everything, and the timing in this skit is sheer perfection.

[@pintatatphpaobe9563]

1:30 that guy gets it straight away lmao

[@SaintGX7]

The 2 "specialists" do a spot on perfect job with their characters IMHO ...AND that IS more complex than both rocket science and brain surgery. BRAVO gentlemen, BRAVO!

[@Amadeus-ms9lt]

I have a degree in aerospace engineering before business management. Trust me, I used the "it's not rocket science" a thousandfold.

[@mikehunt8946]

Aerospace huh? It's not exactly electrical engineering

[@Amadeus-ms9lt]

+Mike Hunt Avionics mate

[@MichaelM69]

I envy you

[@Amadeus-ms9lt]

Goku Black don't

[@Picnicl]

Aerospace engineering sounds like plane sailing to me.

[@lowend5566]

This has to be a top 10 of all time meta-meta-sketchs. It's five dimensional comedy.

[@francendorf]

Ahh i've watched this so many times but i'm literally crying with laughter the second she says "kept you late at the space centre?".

[@iumans]

I love how the audience can see the punchline coming a mile away and they still laugh themselves silly. That's talent for you

[@krunch87]

The first time I watched this, I knew exactly where it was going; probably one of the oldest jokes I've heard since middle school, and yet I still laughed. Now, watching this over and over, I still laugh out loud at it again and again. Just a perfect little script and with perfect execution by the performers, leading to sheer joy and satisfaction in seeing someone get their comeuppance at the end. Pure brilliance.

[@flybeep1661]

You can tell from the laughter the audience sees the joke coming from miles away which makes it even better.

[@shanekerr4415]

You know the joke is coming but you STILL LAUGH!

[@paddyscott2328]

I don't It's much funnier if you suggest it and move on I think, would improve the skit a lot

[@deprofundis6855]

You didn't see the 'joke' coming? My God, how many cliches does it take to make something bloody obvious to you??? You don't happen to be a scriptwriter for Mock The Week, do you?

[@shanekerr4415]

Ummmm... Actually, I said, you KNOW the joke is coming but you LAUGH ANYWAY. As in you DO see it coming. Saw it coming a mile off in fact. Maybe comprehension is not your strong point. Are you a German politician?

[@paddyscott2328]

He was probably referring to me. When I said I don't, I meant I don't laugh, not that I don't see the joke coming.

[@lordprotector3367]

Well he has got a skull for an avatar. Are we the baddies?

[@S7EVE_P]

I love this sketch. You can see the punchline coming from kilometers away and yet its still so funny. Ha Ha.

[@cheydinal5401]

I love how everyone saw the punchline from a mile and a half and that only made it so much better

[@boccs9925]

I saw the joke coming but it felt so satisfying to hear it said.

[@AqibA.C.]

This has to be one of their best sketches, hahah. I've seen it so many times but all the punchlines still land so well, it's too good.

[@Sw1mm3rX]

I will never tire of this. So simple, so clean, so timeless.

[@crieverytim]

What I love about this comment section is the endless number of people who feel the need to repeat the obvious fact that part of this jokes brilliance is the anticipation and knowledge of the punchline. yes, not only have dozens lf other people pointed that out, it's also quite obvious. I mean....it's not exactly rocket science

[@nemome5837]

ice la honk Yes, predictability of outcome is key to enjoyment here. What we don't want to be able to predict is HOW we get to that punchline.

[@kkfoto]

the predictability of repeat comments mirrors the anticipation of the punchline. you know they're coming.

[@listerofsmeg884]

What makes me laugh is comments about other comments stating the obvious

[@jackc913]

I know, it's not exactly brain surgery, is it?

[@jackc913]

On a serious note, you're really complaining that the comments are talking about the most notable element of the video

[@intraum]

the sip of champagne is just classic timing. such a simple joke but it's all perfect

[@Lukeeiiee]

my favourite sketch

[@annacarter6559]

I worked for a brain surgeon years ago. The most humble, unassuming person I've ever interacted with

[@thatoneguychad420]

Such a perfect sketch.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

One the most delightful little sketches of any comedy show!

[@IVXIVI]

I love that they set up a two minute sketch for that one brilliant punchline

[@LankyCyril]

That's the beauty of it. For the last ten seconds or so, you KNOW exactly what's the punchline is going to be, and so you take extra satisfaction in actually finally hearing it.

[@mushmcmaster8623]

As a 'rocket scientist' in a family of doctors, I can really appreciate this sketch

[@adityasanthosh702]

But are they Brain Surgeons

[@forestsoceansmusic]

Of all the many things I love about this sketch, the thing I love most about it is that it has been uploaded with decent video quality (unlike many amateur uploaders [usually Smack The Pony for some reason] who use 240p : (

[@immortalsun]

This is one of the few sketches where you can see the punchlines coming from kilometres away, yet it still hits you like a train.

[@wildley007]

David's deliverance timing is absolutely perfect

[@BeardyGit89]

It's amazing that someone could think of something, see that almost every other comment on a video is saying the same thing, and then just comment it anyway as if it's the first time..

[@oxymoron02]

Ok whose internet did you steal?

[@BeardyGit89]

@@oxymoron02 my nemesis'

[@grisha54]

who reads the comments anyway?

[@owencoffey8809]

@@grisha54 well you read this one didn't you

[@iphgfqweio]

Could see that comment comming from a mile off still was dying to read it

[@AnonYmous-lk9qy]

People like this absolutely exist, and sketches like this help is collectively release the annoyance we feel

[@hidethepainharold1106]

I laughed the pain away. It's back already.

[@nickmonks9563]

I love how when Jeff comes in we've perfectly telegraphed the joke.

[@mrtoad1408]

The way he says "complex" is exactly how brain surgeons say it.

[@GirlSmotheredToDeath]

As a neurosurgeon, I never tell people about my job in face to face settings.

[@joostvanrens]

What I love about this sketch is that this guy is a brain surgeon.

[@mmmmmatt]

The great thing about the sketch is how shocking and unpredictable the punchline is. I've watched this sketch many times, and it always surprises me!

[@ronrozen2105]

Let me guess, you are not exactly brain scientist.

[@ryanpaaz]

@@ronrozen2105 He’s a rocket surgeon.

[@vinadamswood586]

Almost as funny as the sketch were these 3 viewer comments in a thread… I am sure the first is almost certainly a 'tongue-in-cheek' job which has achieved an amazing 40 thumbs-up at the time of me writing this… and it is rightly trumped by Ron Rozen's witty rejoinder. But hats off to RyanPazz for a zinger of a line. I am still laughing now… ten minutes after I first read it. (Dai Woosnam, Grimsby, UK.)

[@removechan10298]

I've watched this 500 times and I still wait gleefully for the punchline.

[@themonkeykingkaiser]

Not exactly rocket surgery is it?

[@anudistsjury]

Please stop.

[@asdlkadfguihajladsf]

no, dont listen to him, please do go on!

[@theyruinedyoutubeagain]

anudistsjury On the other hand, you've got to admit that 'brain science' sounds quite funny.

[@nitehawk86]

But, is rocket surgery doing surgery on a rocket.. or surgery WITH a rocket? Personally I think the second one sounds more challenging.

[@HailHestia]

Well. It's not exactly Brain Science is it?

[@mccall7122]

This is hands down one of the funniest thing I have ever seen

[@Taynutz]

Is it sad that I've memorized this entire sketch? Like...the entire sketch. I play it out accent, pauses, everything to my mom and anyone who will listen incessantly.

[@akbarshahzad5780]

No, it's not sad. Did you end up in comedy?

[@Nevermindwhat2358]

Not sad at all! It's not easy to memorize, word for word, an entire sketch. Still...

[@jxclone]

its their best sketch, flawless delivery.

[@swashbucklr]

Whenever Ben Carson speaks, I think of this sketch.

[@TheBroz]

Possibly the most perfect comedy sketch ever.

[@HHHBFResurrected]

probably the only joke i've seen coming for a long time yet still laughed when it was delivered. From the moment he said 'mainly with rockets', the timing of anything was brilliant till the line was finally said. Comic geniuses both of them.

[@Gnug215]

This never gets old and should have a billion views.

[@holliswilliams8426]

I used to know some medical types and this is pretty accurate, some of them do actually talk like that.

[@dnajournal4321]

I'm a medical guy, and I usually let my fancy car do the talking. Slowly edge the conversation that way. "Aston Martin? Nice, how'd you get that?" "Oh you know, all those extra hours in the surgery room, need to get around places quick".

[@dnajournal4321]

@@TheTazzietiger lol.

[@richardwaldron1684]

I can't stop watching this clip. It's so simple yet so bloody funny

[@josephpublico2337]

Well it's not exactly........sorry.

[@alantallmeister9416]

I'm an anethetist so work with a spectrum of surgeons. I 'm at a community hospital with no neurosurgey service so last worked with neurosurgeons 25+ years ago as a resident. These folks have the most gruelling training of any of the specialists and do operations that take 12 hours or more, in the meanwhile are barraged with calls and demands to intervene in crises and critical events elsewhere. They get 3 or 4 hours a night sleep...when they're not on call. It doesn't get much easier once they're on hospital staff. Most of the guys I remember would just slump down with a drink and fall asleep even got to the party before being phoned to come back to the hospital asap.

[@38Fanda]

Alan Tallmeister 3 to 4 hours? does everybody have brain cancer or wtf?!

[@highfunctioningsociopath4761]

+Yuehan Chanterelle That's what I don't get about medical professionals. They presume to speak with authority on health and safety even though they have a culture of pretending to be superhuman, taxing their health and putting their patients in serious danger.

[@highfunctioningsociopath4761]

Yuehan Chanterelle My aunt is a doctor who runs a hospital, and she's a total workoholic. I get exhausted around such people by osmosis. And yeah, this worship of doctors is sad and peverse. But of course there are exceptions to the rule.

[@jakspyder]

+HighFunctioning Sociopath Them not being there is certain death for that person with a head injury etc. Them being there and exhausted is an increased chance of survival.

[@dibbidydoo4318]

... not exactly rocket science isn't it?

[@niansenx]

I love Mitchell and Webb because they can take such a simple idea for a joke and make it so funny through their delivery.

[@Josematube]

Simply Great!!!!

[@maxsteiner1964]

Still one of the best.

[@emmdoubleyou]

one of the best m&w sketches

[@final_mile_music9713]

The timing on this is perfect. You know what’s coming but the punchline is delicious.

[@Clarestovold]

When I watched this for the first time, as soon as he came in the door and the woman said "They keep you long at the space centre?" I literally burst out laughing. Such a predictable joke, and yet, they still provided such hilarity from it. David Mitchell and Robert Webb are genius!

[@ThatPianoNoob]

Not sure theyre geniuses.. I mean the sketch is funny, but it's not exactly brain surgery, is it?

[@orhallurArnason]

@@ThatPianoNoob A brain surgeon would not be able to do it.

[@final_mile_music9713]

The timing is just perfect on this. The ‘space centre’ comment is the perfect primer for the punchline to come.

[@MrEAus]

Rocket Science? It's not exactly Numberwang Science is it... Now that stuff's _complicated_

[@kabirkumar5815]

Nice

[@Ladylubber]

And *THAT’s* Numberwang!

[@judyhopps9380]

Numberwang's fairly easy once you get used to it. The new edition's got me stumped though. Can't get over how we lost 4.

[@mistagregory]

that brilliant pause when he takes a sip of his drink before the punchline.

[@PianoKwanMan]

1:30. That person laughing is clearly a Rocket scientist

[@jimgarrett2655]

Just absolute perfection