Top 10 Funniest What We Do in the Shadows Running Gags

These "What We Do in the Shadows" running gags will entrance you. For this list, we’ll be looking at all the hilarious jokes and references that regularly pop up in the vampire comedy. Our countdown includes Nadja can't say Jeff, bat transformation, the language of Laszlo, and more! What’s YOUR favorite running gag on the show? Share the laughs in the comments below!
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#WhatWeDoInTheShadows #WWDITS #Comedy #RunningGags #Vampires

[@MsMojo]

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[@chantellelace]

Honestly the fact that every time the vampires talk about Gizmo they imagine him pooping 😹🦇💩

[@valeriacpla6320]

New York Citaaay

[@5orgen51]

It's not a running gag, but the werewolf diversity joke is the best. It's when the white guy exclaimed "I'm Caucasian!"

[@eviltom17]

Nandor shouting "F**king Guy!"

[@oOLiLjAOo]

Nandor saying "Fucking guy" is the best 🤣

[@litedawg]

The way he says Guillermo just kills me

[@oldfriend4438]

One he refers to Kristin Schalls character as "fucking Guide" I nearly fell over laughing

[@jaijoshi5596]

@@oldfriend4438and when he’s talking to baby Colin “fucking little guy”

[@NovaandthePastapup]

It so is!!!

[@thesatanicegg6729]

That’s my favourite 😂😂

[@corvinawylde3952]

Colin Robinson almost exclusively being called his full name always gets me

[@Fnuller92]

Shut up Colin Robinson 😂

[@thealienwatcher540]

'Damn It Colin Robinson'. The Way Nadya does it makes it funnier

[@JerseysFinests]

The thing that crawled out of the dead Cavity Chest of COLIN ROBINSON . Got me every time 😂🤣🤣

[@annalisenorris221]

Nandor saying he keeps his name written on a note in his pocket at all times makes it make so much more sense to me

[@fagulaura]

Laszlo saying New York City is literally my favorite running gag

[@MM-ud1xf]

Since I saw that episode I haven’t pronounced it any other way.

[@thacaptain8484]

Or the fact that he still calls Guillermo “gizmo”

[@MrHeHim]

NeEew York Ciitaaahy

[@Taramw32]

Mine too!

[@onefour45]

I've worked that into a convo multiple times just to say it even though nobody knows wtf I'm talking about. 😂

[@natalie654789]

“This is the way we talk in Tucson Arizoña” is the best line in the entire show! I laugh every time 😂

[@oldgranite6467]

Someone painted a large mural of Jackie Daytona in Tucson with that line. It's beautiful

[@pierrotpierrot4768]

it's my favorite too 🤣🤣🤣 you cant help but to reply mentally "rrrrrriiigghhhhttt...."

[@123haninhk]

“tucson arizoñia”

[@rich1051414]

@@123haninhk The squiggly line over the n implies an 'i' or 'y' after it, but you also glide into it, rather than putting space between the 'n' and implied 'i'. Not necessary to point that out in English, at least American English, as you always glide into an 'i' or 'y' that follows an 'n' in that accent.

[@mysticsaxophone4181]

@@oldgranite6467 Holy shit really? That is astounding

[@robertanderson4921]

Matt Berry's comedic delivery is just absolutely next level. He can take a completely serious line and make it hilarious.

[@grantsarette6017]

"Help. I've been double crossed by the dev-ILL."

[@ponya3.66]

Laszlo's pronunciations are always insanely funny! When he screamed "We're doing a piece to camer-UH!!" I just broke down😍🤣🤣

[@MsMojo]

Should we do a list all about his funniest line reads?!

[@ponya3.66]

@@MsMojo Oh my god YES!!! 😍 Will 10 be enough though? 🤣❤️

[@CrovBomb]

​@@MsMojoYes. You. Should.

[@amandablazevic5525]

​@MsMojo have you done it yet?? 😂😂

[@keithmaxon9510]

The funniest part of the hat you guys did not even mention. Nadjia getting angry about it is what really sells it.

[@shawnagrubb9958]

The stupid bloody cursed hat 😂😂

[@zoro_the_grand]

"ITS NOT THE FUCKING HAT"

[@amandablazevic5525]

I always love her reactions to the hat 😂

[@germantoenglish898]

Nandor's 'Creepy Paper' is my favorite. 😂

[@CinnamonQuills]

The two vampire councils that have appeared so far are a great running gag. The first one had all three main characters from the What We Do in the Shadows movie (Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement and Jonny Brugh), plus cameos by actors who'd played vampires in other shows and movies - Evan Rachael Wood, Danny Trejo, Paul Rubens, Tilda Swinton. Later the Energy Vampire Council showed up with actors and comedians known for very deadpan, low-energy roles and styles - Jo Firestone, Gregg Turkington, Hannibal Buress, Aparna Nancherla and Martha Kelly.

[@philobrien8920]

Energy vampire council? Surely the master has to be Steven Wright.

[@user-cu1oy4ux9b]

They should of left the guide as just that. Making her part of the house was a mistake cuz she's just not as funny.

[@CCgivemeawedgy]

@@user-cu1oy4ux9b Obviously, they're replacing her as the punching bag since Guillhermo is... You know... Undergoing a metamorphosis.

[@dolce.luna08]

The vampire multiverse is sooo funny!!!

[@Annapurna818]

Brad returned their call too late and Banderas said no.

[@debb6393]

Colin Robinson is adorable but the The sire, the Baron and the Hellhound answering the door in their house share is classic. Each series gets better and better and it was great to start with.

[@janesgems7]

I liked the Baron driving around in that mini car.

[@mrcat3493]

Matt Berry was the perfect casting choice for Laszlo. His running gag about his garden of vagina shaped topiaries is hilarious.

[@TheLastRainShadow]

Nandor's "fucking guy" and its variations are one of my favourite bits

[@chrissiem3958]

Lazslo's odd little accent twists are akin to Moria Rose in Schitt's Creek. They come out of nowhere, but when they do, they are consistently hilarious and hilariously consistent 😂😂😂

[@cinedd4783]

Yee Haw someone else also noticed the not so much similarities. Moira and Lazlo forever. Try some Herb Ertlinger wine> Noticed Matt from the IT crowd. Excellent performances from all. Hope they don't go away too soon.

[@udonnedtonoo]

Every actor from vampire movies being actual vampires is one of my favorite gags

[@davidz3879]

Matt Berry is great in several sitcoms, including The IT Crowd & Toast of London.

[@daniellebrown9381]

I loved him in the IT crowd

[@Hbinky]

And Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

[@Joemama55122]

House of Fools too

[@valdir7426]

snuff box

[@kentjohnson2884]

The only Community episode he appears in is one of the best of the entire series. He is so funny in everything I have ever seen him in.

[@Anaaewp]

I'm completely obsessed over every single thing Lazlo says

[@Scottieohmy]

Them always calling Guillermo “Gizzmo” kills me everytime 😂

[@yatithebeast]

I would give a whole spot to Nandor’s love of Twilight. That recreation of the baseball season in Twilight (into vampire kickball) was perfect down to the same music.

[@TheVampireking330]

"New york citehhhhh" kills me

[@General_Pinkledink]

Sean is slowly becoming my favorite character on the show... he gets more and more hilarious as the show goes on!

[@andrewward5891]

“I had to drop out of the race for comptroller because they have a rule you can’t hsve more than 8 DUI’s”

[@maritefrommtl]

I adore Sean and his wife!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@crypthulu7900]

I think it’s safe to say that we all need more Jackie Daytona in our lives 😆

[@oldfriend4438]

The world would be better if we all were the Jackie Daytona we need in our lives

[@MizLMac]

OMG. The closing scene with the Sire, the Baron and the Hell Hound at their “rustic retreat” Airbnb in Nutley, New Jersey. I have watched that over and over and it slays me every time.

[@Sunny-xc9kv]

The hellhound breathing fire on the tree 😂

[@belindagonzales814]

My kids yell ˋbat´ when they are leaving a room to show me they are done here and going to go. 😂

[@fuzzy121]

I'm 69 and I do it too. Cracks my 44 y.o. son up. He introduced me to this insanely funny show.

[@belindagonzales814]

@@fuzzy121 you’ve got a great kid! 😂

[@amandablazevic5525]

That is epic 😂

[@akelly4207]

I like that Laszlo is the one who while enjoying all the vampire things like sex, blood, flying, the immortality he also is the most drawn to humans and befriending them.

[@itchywitchy570]

This show is phenomenally hilarious! Matt Berry is funny in everything he does.

[@lmirizarry5263]

cant believe no one is saying nadjas singing!! literally kills me every time

[@AmyThorneamythorne]

I love the constant referral to baby Colin as "The [Thing/Creature] that crawled out of our dead friend Colin Robinson's chest cavity"

[@doublefeature]

my personal fav lazlo line of pronunciation is 'Nandor, i've been double crossed by the DEV-ELL.'

[@tiff7880]

I think Nadjia's "YOU MOTHERF#$%ER!" to Sean's mom has to be my favorite of all..

[@donnaleach8119]

My favourite is Nandor! He’s always trying to find a wife. I laugh at how he wants to have secret ‘house rule’ meetings in only one of the rooms!

[@caspianbydefault]

Matt Berry said in an article that he screamed "BAT" so the special effects crew knew when to add in the turning into a bat effect. It turned into a thing and they decided to keep it in the show. Same reason why he says "Human Form", lol. This show is know for having things added that weren't there before, they do a lot of improv and lots stays in. In fact, Kayvan Novak and Mark Proksch have stated that they do have a script, of course, but it's used as a way to build from there, lol (I can't recall the correct verbiage).

[@MrMnM-ed5ht]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU GUYS TO MAKE A LIST FOR THIS SHOW!!! ITS HILARIOUS AND SERIOUSLY UNDERRATED😂😂😂

[@LRB9498]

This is the funniest series on television!!! I'd add the house meetings to the running gags but #1 is definitely the cursed witch hat!

[@artdonovandesign]

I'm absolutely nuts about this show!

[@chrislair6832]

Yeah when it comes to comedy shows this in South Park are the best of all time

[@jadeknightofwincost5544]

Everytime Nandor says “fucking guy” makes me giggle 😂😂

[@stingrey1571]

another joke in the first season was if colin robinson was a real energy vampire or just a boring dude. it wasnt until you see him meet another energy vampire when we get confirmation.

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

Vanessa Bayer was perfect, in that role! So very, very mediocre, and poignant. It is trying, simply to remember.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Schwansonian_Townsonian]

Such a binge worthy show. I love it!

[@DanNguyen-ey5tw]

I hate myself for never knowing this show existed and love Matthew Berry. Loved him on Snuff Box and It Crowd. The Arizonia and New Yahk Citay Lines are killing me.

[@robertmaxa6631]

Personally, I love the direct looks into the camera, especially by Nandor, with looks of disappointment, or disgust.

[@juulisadevil3228]

id give a spot to how colin robisons name is always said in whole

[@blazr1976]

I laugh for 5 minutes every time I hear "Tuscon, Arizonia"

[@GaiaEllie]

This is such a genius show. I love it so much.

[@amandablazevic5525]

SEANNNIIEEE!! The brain scramblies were hilarious 🤣🤣

[@chrisleneil]

Nadja & Guillermo are my faves! Her… unpredictable nature, & his kind soul are sheer perfection 💜🌈🧛🏻‍♀️

[@j.j.c.s2802]

Ever felt patronised? The voiceover is hilarious in itself.

[@cheripiez67]

because of what we do in the shadows i know pronounce crepe paper as creepy paper 🤭

[@marinakaye8284]

My fav. too !!lol

[@Soykuya1]

This show is comedy gold!

[@marcofeola-gi6ez]

funniest show on tv! its such a great concept its great that they made it a show for adults, if they had tried to make it an adams family or munsters type show and made it cheesy it never would of worked

[@AFoxInFlames]

Laszlo is my favorite, everything that comes out of his mouth is comedy gold but they picked an awesome actor as well, again everything he does comedy gold.

[@meedily]

The doll is the funniest and cutest thing in the show.

[@gameburn178]

And they don't exploit it the way you'd predict: Chucky references etc. She's just a normal part of the family. Nothing ever leaves after it arrives: either it's buried, included, moved in or hangs out nearby. The whole show is a series of potential running gags. Brilliant.

[@elaith80]

“What do you even call that?” Line, kills me averytime!!

[@R_SENAL]

One not listed but fun is how The Guide lady is desperate to become part of their group, but they are oblivious to her efforts to join them.

[@kousuke87]

Thanks to Laszlo I can never say New York the normal, old fashion way .❤❤❤

[@gabrielatejo3980]

You miss the opportunity to mention "TOPHER" Great episode 😂

[@StLProgressive]

I have a huge crush on Matt Barry. 😂🖤

[@alvacardona6243]

I wouldn't be surprised if, in the WWDITS universe, Laszlo was the Übermensch Nietzsche wrote about (and probably met).

[@hugejardon7975]

Love the show. Best thing in the media out there. I love the guest cameos.when they had Scott Bacula come on because of his last name and of course, Paul Reubens .

[@Annapurna818]

They thought he was a Dracula. 😂

[@jellurge6121]

yes yes very good thankyou! 😅

[@jennyfeare1702]

Out of all of Simon's crews, gotta love Little Vlad, the fucking maniac.

[@batgurrl]

FINALLY, A List about this mockumentary which I love. Well done. The concept of an energy vampire brought in a new spin

[@bellamorrison3455]

I can't say Arizona the correct way anymore 😭 thanks laszlo 😭😘

[@driferdark4339]

It was a superb owl party.

[@sandraengstrand1272]

Best show on TV! First season was sooo funny!! I got hooked!

[@philoctetes_wordsworth]

13:47 Creepy paper. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻💋💋🇺🇸🌸

[@EasrterRising1fan]

I think it is ironic that now in the storyline, they have a problem with a familiar being turned by another vamp. But when Celeste says she will Nandor has no problem. My favorite has to be Carol.

[@paulthompkins4150]

Vampire Elvis MUST get his own show!

[@MalindaPC]

Awww you didn’t add Nandor’s F ing guy 🥺

[@Annapurna818]

Partial to our Toronto boy Rapula 😂

[@jeffbrehove2614]

The "Jeff" gag breaks my spirit

[@tupecktherappingparrot4345]

This show is based on actors of Portland who did all of these stunts and scenes around town over several years in costume and character. Sometimes you only knew them by their character name as you saw them over and over around town at diff events. The witch skin hat really existed and was a frequent prop. We were always looking for unique thrift store items to use for props and that hat was weird, & cool. Sometimes we’d try to keep it away from its owner, & throw it around playing keep away, & one night I messed up the keep away game. 😂🙈 Now I also wanna say these actors had to LEARN THE SKILLS so they really did take swordfighting lessons and such… like I said they worked hard! This talented acting troop did these events to promote local businesses and events. 6teen is the story of their beginning as kids at Lloyd Center mall in the 90’s. Some went on to have careers in the arts! And yeah they did park a Zamboni on MLK once as a city prank & I think to promote a skate competition at the mall. Anyhow these actors promoted these things in character and were often hired for that. They were so creative and talented. The Bloody Mary Chain mail was cuz me & Naja had seen an episode of Suoernatural & everyone was getting annoyed by those old aol chain mails back in the day. I mostly contributed ideas like that and wasn’t one of the actors. More a sidelines helper. So we set out to create the most annoying one possible and half of portland got them. The cursed witch skin hat was one of my fav running gags cuz this hat just made the rounds and the whole storyline took on a life of its own around town, & sometimes the hat would pop up and people got to know it. Sometimes I was there to help with props or tell audience where to sit, & what the rules were but I wasn’t a regular. I’m sharing some stories about it over on my wall in little bits. People around portland became familiar with these characters. The houses were where the actors lived together and each was named after a city or area. Sometimes they got on the news and such. These were an incredibly talented group of kids who worked very hard so this show could be brought to people one day. The actors on the show aren’t the original actors, they’re just portraying the OG actors who pulled all of these stunts around town. The Vampire Lychenwolf accords really did happen on a skyscraper rooftop at midnight, except with permission by the building and audience was limited for safety. And it was hilarious! All of it was… the Portland Arts community was very creative. But also Portland suffered a horrible homeless youth crisis in the 90’s which is the dark side of it all, where many suffered. Some of these actors came out of that suffering so let’s not forget that either. People could see these actors perform at local malls or venues. Naja yelling at random people in the food court was always one of my fav running gags but idk if they portrayed it as a running gag on the show. The mall often hired the actors to promote events too sometimes. But imagine eating with your family when a group of vampires in full customer come in and start yelling hilarious stuff to unsuspecting dinner patrons who look around confused and start busting up laughing… so it was all pretty funny. The Shroud of Urine was another fav. “What is arise again Ctl+Alt7?!” 😂😂😂🤨 BAT!!! 🦇

[@tupecktherappingparrot4345]

To add to this, the story of the Swami in 6teen, which I share over on my wall: the mall had scheduled a real life swami to some speak in a live event at the mall. Except he had to cancel at the last min, so this acting group was hired to fill in. One kid decided he’d go up there and do his best to be a swami and came up with all of the weird life advice sayings you see on the show. I was in the audience that day and because the crowd had already built, the stage had been set up and staff assigned to work the event they couldn’t disappoint a whole crowd. This kid with little experience pulled off an amazing funny swami act that ended up taking on a life of its over the next few weeks, as kids all over would come ask him for hilarious life advice. The story of Jesse, the skateboarder teen who did Ollie’s off of the mall escalator: he is no longer alive. He was a cool kid too, only 14 when he passed, & the story was horrifying. So it wasn’t all pretty or funny. Back then the 90’s homeless crisis meant thousands of homeless youth out there on the streets, who suffered s lot. I share a bit about that dark side of Portland too. In portland the arts thrived and a lot of it made it into famous songs you heard on the radio and into tv shows you sit and watch today. So these kids contributions to the arts should never be forgotten. This was full time work for some kids who had nowhere else to go. Come check out my stories. BAT!!! 🦇

[@jeswainston]

Matt in those tight jeans gives me very naughty thoughts LOL

[@frankperdue6585]

This is the new Monty Python…. Incredibly hilarious.

[@simonmcguire4290]

Regarding cameos, they actually had Wesley Snipes appear as himself in the first series.

[@guyjackson132]

Nandor De Laurentis...

[@wabisabi6875]

Matt Berry is a comic genius.

[@gameburn178]

And unlike so much British drama... he never overacts. The funny thing is that his relationship with Nadja is what you'd expect from a couple who have been together a century: everything is understood without really talking about it much. E.g., Nadja matter-of-factly discovers that it is Laszlo who has, in fact, been killing Gregor/Jefchss for generations. "So it was you. Yes, well just doing his husbandly duties."

[@tetchuma]

Love this show!!!

[@kurtisdeakin]

YOU ROB THE JOY FROM THESE MOMENTS!!!!

[@joebenzz]

MANNA HATTAH

[@M24071]

this is one of those shows where every single character is fun to watch they are all funny as hell

[@icediamonds553]

I love this damn show 😂

[@VeroRochaEscorcio]

I love guillermo's character

[@Rainaerys]

Best show on TV right now.

[@danielmachuca7992]

Fav show on TV

[@erinmalone2669]

I love this show!

[@Gigi_1002]

This show is great!!😂

[@Lauren42Allison]

This is one of my favourite shows! If anyone here hasn't actually seen it, put it on your list!

[@_pulyx]

The first time i watched him go like "This is what we talk like in Tucson ARIZONIA" i cackled for good 15 minutes and laughed to myself randomly for the next week every time i remembered it

[@nessanitty3604]

These aren’t running gags… they’re major characteristics of the characters.

[@mindwalker2247]

I love this show ❤❤❤

[@sherryBLUE735]

I REALLY enjoy this show.

[@SiSi-xg1hk]

I was going to say that an honorable mention can be how absolutely horny the vampires in the show are 😅 especially with how "non-discriminating" they can be. *I'm game if you are*

[@kranch3392]

F#cking Guy and Laszlos hat is my favourite

[@_h4t3]

Superb OwL :p

[@aussieaussie4848]

Witches hat might be the funniest thing ive seen in a TV show

[@commentarywithconnor]

I’m really confused. Is Jackie Daytona not a regular human bartender?

[@dach785g]

Those honorable mentions were so weak and not even a mention of Nandor's effing guy running gag smh

[@eat_pray_porg8450]

I wish there would be a crossover between the werewolves from the movie and the crew from New York Citaaaaaaaaay. But I'll take whatever the show gives me. 😄

[@lisaahmari7199]

Noooo!! You left Nandor out with all his hilarious mispronunciations of English words (creeepy paper...instead of crepe paper) and his constant presumption that he is still considered an aristocratic warlord even in America. I love Nandor the best....Nadja second. But great list, anyway.❤

[@martinemariemc]

BAT! Yes I adore LAZLO! New Yahk Cit-tay!

[@elxiyrl9747]

Not putting Nandor's iconic one-liner on here? Fucking guy.