Web Series Wednesday – Straight White Guilt

By: Spring Marie Cullen

WHAT? Straight White Guilt

BY: Bellhop Productions

WHY SHOULD I WATCH?

Straight White Guilt is a comedy sketch series where best friends and roommates, Ryan Quigley and Ephraim Birney, get into heated discussions about the country’s current hot button issues. Through humor they tackle serious topics like sex work and homophobia and less serious ones like Tinder and yoga. It’s a parody done right, as it’s clear both Quigley and Birney are self-aware of how ridiculous some of the points they’re trying to make are and exaggerate them in a way that makes the wrong defense obvious.

I was wary going into it, seeing that episodes about race and sex work were on the playlist, but was pleasantly surprised. Quigley and Birney, who are the stars, writers and creators, even tacked on a little fourth wall breaking PSA at the end of the race episode where they politely asked to let them know if viewers were offended so they can get better, as making people upset isn’t their intention. It’s that kind of openness that makes the pair so likable. In a climate where comedy types would rather buckle down on jokes made in poor taste, Quigley and Birney are more than willing to admit when their comedy goes too far and actually encourage viewers to share that with them. As zany as their antics are, they also discussed sex work in a way I’ve never seen before in any series, let alone in a comedy. And it may very well be the strongest episode currently available. Usually Ephraim’s the one with strange takes, but in this episode it’s Ryan who gets an education from his weirder pal.

This web series just works. There are a lot of ways it could’ve gone wrong, but Quigley and Birney did everything right to ensure a strong series. The jokes are quick and snappy, never stretching out a bit for too long. They play off each other extremely well – their chemistry is what really carries the show. And, in a silly way, it’s educational. The short episodes make Straight White Guilt perfect for binging and the light comedy is more than enough to brighten up a viewer’s day.

Anyone who’s interested in seeing straight white guys, who actually get why everyone mocks the thoughts and opinions of straight white guys, will enjoy this series.

WHERE CAN I WATCH? Episodes can be found on YouTube.

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