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Ben Palmer's Brain

Ben Palmer's Brain

25 min

Ben Palmer set up a fake tip line for people to report immigrants in the United States, and recorded the conversations. Things got uncomfortable and, to some, surprisingly funny. How did Ben Palmer go from being your average stand-up comic, trying out sets after his day job, to creating viral social commentary?

Comedian Ben Palmer set up a fake tip line for reporting immigrants in the United States suspected of not having legal status. He recorded the conversations, and things... got uncomfortable and, in some cases, disturbing. But for a lot of viewers, these calls were surprisingly funny. How does Ben Palmer withstand the awkwardness and maintain his deadpan delivery as he trolls unsuspecting Americans trying to get their neighbors deported? And how did he go from being your average stand-up comic, doing sets after his day job, to creating viral social commentary full-time? Show notes:
  • He made a fake ICE deportation tip line. Then a kindergarten teacher called. (Washington Post)
  • God, Country, Family (YouTube)
  • Ben Palmer's YouTube Channel (YouTube)
This episode was written and produced by Grace Tatter. It was co-hosted by Ben Brock Johnson and Amory Sivertson, and edited by Meg Cramer. Mix and sound design by Paul Vaitkus.