The German word "schadenfreude" basically means "deriving pleasure from someone else's pain," and that has to be part of the magic behind First We Feast's uber popular YouTube show Hot Ones. Since 2015, host Sean Evans has put celebs in the literal hot seat, challenging them to eat increasingly spicy wings and answer probing questions meticulously crafted by his research team.
After more than 300 episodes, 25 seasons, and 1 billion views, guests ranging from Olivia Rodrigo and Matt Damon to Malcolm Gladwell and Joel Embiid have taken on the hot wing gauntlet. And while many have failed (DJ Khaled only made it to three wings, proving that all he does is quit), others have triumphed like champs.
We gathered some of the most memorable episodes to watch back-to-back, notable for their animated reactions, memorable conversations, or legendary performances.
In no particular order, here are the greatest Hot Ones episodes to binge.
1. Pedro Pascal
"I really actually got to the point that I thought that this might not happen." These are the words of a struggling Pedro Pascal as he grapples with Da Bomb. Like the rest of the interview though, the Gladiator II star manages to joke and laugh his way through the pain, making a Hot Ones episode that is easily one of the show's most delightful.
2. Shaq
Shaquille O'Neal brings his own milk, apologizes to the entire state of Kansas, and desperately asks for "ice cube chapstick" to soothe his burning lips. But can he finish all 10 wings without tapping out?
3. Jennifer Lawrence
Lawrence is not just a lovely guest, but an iconic one. Her horrified expression and nonsensical blabbering ("What do you mean? What do you mean?") as Evans picks up and shakes the final bottle of hot sauce became one of the most popular memes of 2023.
4. Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien brings his own doctor along to the Hot Ones studio, declares "I don't think there's a wing on this table that I cannot devour like it's cool whip cream on an August afternoon," and inevitably succumbs to spice-induced delusion.
5. Ariana Grande
There's an almost eerie calm in this one, with Ariana Grande proving herself to be a hall of fame Hot Ones contender by barely even raising an eyebrow at Da Bomb. Impressive.
6. Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd opts for vegan cauliflower wings and utters the words that launched a thousand memes: "Hey, look at us." In an incredible display of mental and physical fortitude, he also completes the 10-wing gauntlet without a single sip of water or milk.
7. Lorde
Watch as Lorde waxes poetic about the virtues of the perfect onion ring and wipes the floor with every single Hot Ones celeb who preceded her by eating all 10 wings without so much as breaking a sweat.
8. Sabrina Carpenter
"I'm a snotty girl, by the way." Sabrina Carpenter lays all her cards on the table as the wings get spicier, and for the most part she takes them in her stride — at least right up until she gets to Da' Bomb, and the suffering starts in earnest. The most memorable question the Short n' Sweet singer asks Sean as she desperately tries to ward off the pain? "Has anyone ever sued you?" Still, she makes it through in the end.
9. Idris Elba
Idris Elba shows up a bit cocky ("I'm pretty confident, I fear no one," he assures Evans), but the wings soon put him in his place. It's all smooth sailing until he tries Da' Bomb and is overcome by a dry cough and confusion.
10. Tom Holland
Bubbly Brit Tom Holland muscles his way through a difficult meal to conquer the wings of death, all while charming Evans with stories from the set and his failed audition for Star Wars.
11. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman
This one featuring the Deadpool & Wolverine co-stars descends into glorious mayhem around the halfway point, when Hugh Jackman suddenly can't stop himself from giggling, sweating and crying at the same time.
12. Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown saunters through seven wings like a champ, but everything breaks down in the fourteenth minute when she flips Da' Bomb the bird and starts talking a mile a minute.
13. Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish gets so heated she shoves handfuls of ice cubes into her mouth.
14. Desus and Mero
Comedy duo Desus and Mero wipe literal nose sweat away as they stare down the wings of death.
15. Lil Yachty
In his first-ever experience with hot wings, the rapper delivers some of the best reactions the show has ever seen. 🔥
16. Gordon Ramsay
Karma is spicy for chef Gordon Ramsay, who pops open a bottle of Pepto-Bismol mid-challenge.
17. Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie truly struggles to take on the wings of death ("I think I might die," she says at one point) but makes it through thanks to special cameos from her Birds of Prey costars.
18. Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson fights his way to an impressive finish while asking Evans through tears, "Am I the worst!?" No worries, Pete, DJ Khaled was definitely the worst.
19. Post Malone
Posty returns to the show and provides cartoon-level reactions, from a Wile E. Coyote scream to a respectable repertoire of dance moves.
UPDATE: Jan. 27, 2025, 3:02 p.m. UTC This story was originally published on April 21, 2024 by Elizabeth de Luna and has been updated by Sam Haysom with more of the best 'Hot Ones' episodes you should binge, ones that were released after the initial publish date.
Topics YouTube
