TikTok’s Kel Cripe on the facility of 1 phrase: ‘Scram!’

There is not any higher option to inform an unwelcome social gathering to maneuver alongside than with one phrase: SCRAM!

It is a phrase with an extended, meandering historical past, and one singlehandedly resurrected by TikTok creator, comic, actor, and author Kel Cripe (@reallygoodimpressions). Their viral publish from September, through which they ship “a message to all the fellows tryin’ to speak to my lady,” has over 9.4 million views. Within the video, the Los Angeles-based comic is standing in entrance of a hedge, sporting a mystical wolf tee, and holding raised a fist, able to hypothetically ship a contemporary knuckle sandwich.

“Scram! Depart her alone! She…she would not wish to discuss to you! Get outta right here!” Cripe says within the video, as a piano model of Pixies’ “The place Is My Thoughts?” performs and the digicam recedes. Cripe describes the vibe to Mashable as “not-so-threatening, smooth menace” which is spot on.

Since posting, Cripe’s meme has had the viral CapCut edit therapy, been shared by SZA, and most lately ended up onstage at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, fittingly screamed by fan-favourite dancer Kameron Saunders throughout Swift’s GFY anthem “We Are By no means Ever Getting Again Collectively.”

However whereas TikTok and “Scram!” has opened up new audiences for Cripe, their comedy is not contained to the platform. In 2024, Cripe was featured in Netflix Is a Joke Fest’s comedy showcase, having been on the streaming service’s associated radio spot on SiriusXM, and appeared on the podcast Lovett or Depart It. An illustrator, theatre author, and brief filmmaker, they’re additionally one third of comedy trio Babe Motel, and so they’ve appeared at New York Comedy Pageant and SF Sketchfest, the San Francisco Comedy Pageant.

With sold-out headlinling standup reveals developing, Cripe chatted with Mashable about how they began on TikTok, how the platform has intersected with their comedy, and the very candy origin of their viral publish that modified every part. Girlfriends rule.

Shannon Connellan: The place did the thought on your viral “Scram!” video come from? 

Kel Cripe: Like loads of {couples}, my girlfriend and I like to make use of foolish voices and phrases to make one another giggle. Once I’d present her imply feedback on my movies, she’d wave her fist at my telephone and say “Scram!” It at all times cheered me up and made me really feel cared for.

One morning after waking up from a nasty dream, my girlfriend made me giggle together with her basic catchphrase and I stated, “Hey, that’d be a humorous video.” We went about our day, doing chores and duties collectively (it was laundry day, therefore the kismet wolf shirt) and after we lastly returned house, I stated, “Would you thoughts filming that video we talked about?” In a single take, we acquired the shot. I used to be too drained to overthink it.

“I by no means imagined an inside joke with my girlfriend may very well be what modified my life. I owe my Scram legacy to her, she’s one of the best.

The subsequent day, I added some music that I believed paradoxically matched the tone of “not-so-threatening, smooth menace” (A piano cowl of “The place is My Thoughts” by The Pixies) and hit publish. I by no means imagined an inside joke with my girlfriend may very well be what modified my life. I owe my Scram legacy to her, she’s one of the best. 

SC: What’s been the final response you’ve seen to your viral clip? Individuals appear to actually discover energy incorporating “Scram” in their very own lives (and movies), and I’ve seen you’ve spoken about it in your standup too! 

KC: Initially, Scram wasn’t reaching the type audiences it will definitely discovered. The clearly satirical video was a straightforward goal for web bullies and bozos. I used to be tempted to delete it, however in an sudden flip, SZA reposted the video on her Instagram story the night time of the VMAs and it despatched hundreds of latest views to the video (Thanks SZA

Tens of hundreds of individuals began making their very own Scram movies and it was so cool to see. The movies individuals made had been all rooted in a goofy positivity, with the intention of spreading laughter, precisely like how I meant the unique. So many dad and mom instructed me how a lot their children love saying “scram”, which actually warmed my coronary heart. I acquired dozens of DMs from those that dressed up as me for Halloween (somebody even linked an Amazon package for a Scram costume). Corporations began utilizing Scram for his or her merchandise, I believe as a result of it turned such an simply adaptable and relatable idea. I’ve gotten to work with some wonderful manufacturers and create tons of latest content material.

Outdoors of the web, I have been doing standup comedy for 5 years and I made a decision to make a joke about Scram on the high of my set. Listening to and watching audiences react to realizing I am an precise particular person and never only a meme is admittedly fairly humorous and begins the set with such a enjoyable power.

Scram has allowed me to attach with extra individuals than I ever may have imagined. I’ve gained over 100k followers on Instagram and over 150k on TikTok in about two months. Spreading pleasure and cheering individuals up on laborious days is certainly one of my greatest objectives as a comic, and I’ll at all times be so grateful to Scram for permitting me to do this on such a bigger scale.

SC: How did you discover out about the Eras Tour video? And what was your first response?

KC: I used to be updating my calendar in my room (I like calendars) when my girlfriend stated, “Uh, hey Kel, I believe one thing occurred on the Eras tour…individuals are commenting in your video that Kam stated Scram.” I put the dry erase marker down and really calm, cool and picked up stated, “WHAT?!??! ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!?”

We sat on my mattress scrolling via movies of the legendary “We Are By no means Getting Again Collectively” efficiency with our jaws fully dropped. My coronary heart was pounding and I felt like I used to be gonna move out, in a great way. I began texting my pals and so they all Facetimed me inside seconds. So a lot of Taylor’s followers despatched me messages, I believe we had been all in a joyous shock. I nonetheless cannot imagine it occurred, it was so freaking cool. Listening to the quantity of individuals within the viewers that additionally screamed and laughed was so epic. If Taylor ever desires a “Scram” in particular person for certainly one of her reveals, I would be there in a heartbeat salute emoji.

SC: Your Scram tees have been bought out in your web site, are there plans to restock? 

KC: The primary batch of Scram shirts had been so profitable, we bought out in just some days! Do not inform anybody, however slightly birdie instructed me that we could in actual fact be having a particular Early Black Friday Sale beginning on November 20, 2024…And for actual do not unfold this, however a second little birdie additionally instructed me there could even be extra merch subsequent yr 🙂

SC: How did you get began on TikTok? 

KC: I acquired began on TikTok in 2020 after I graduated school and needed to transfer house due to the pandemic. Making movies on-line was the one option to keep lively in comedy, and it additionally supplied a enjoyable psychological escape. It took awhile for the ball to begin rolling, however I simply stored attempting new kinds of movies to see what match. I made loads of pals on-line who additionally made movies and we proceed to remain in contact and assist one another. Slowly however certainly I began discovering my voice, and I loved studying web/modifying abilities within the course of.

SC: Your movies on TikTok are one other avenue on your comedy and standup, how has your comedy developed or modified since being on the platform?  

KC: Posting movies on-line has been such an important step in rising my viewers. Having a bigger viewers has allowed me the prospect to carry out on extra reveals, in cities all throughout the nation. I really feel so grateful for the prospect to share my comedic voice with others, it is a privilege I do my finest to not take with no consideration. Comedy/leisure may be such a weak and exhausting business, however having supporters who come to reveals and ship me phrases of encouragement has actually helped me push via the ebbs and flows.

In my expertise, the web values shorter content material with larger shareability, so it is enjoyable to have totally different mediums of comedy to play and discover my voice inside. Since I began making movies on-line, I’ve additionally written a play, acted in motion pictures and carried out stand-up, sketch and improv. I like performing, and as I develop I am honored to observe the initiatives and fellow collaborators that align with the place I am at in life. The web has positively helped me construct a thicker pores and skin, achieve confidence and discover my voice sooner than I believe I’d have with out it. 

SC: What’s up subsequent for you?

KC: I am presently engaged on my half hour stand-up particular! My first headlining present bought out in two days, due to the publicity of Scram. Subsequent yr, I will even be opening on tour for the wonderful musical artist Corook! We’ll be touring throughout the U.S. (Canada too!) and I am so unbelievably excited.

I additionally am in an superior comedy group, Babe Motel, with two of my finest pals, Avery Girion and Haley Stiel. We write and carry out reside/digital sketch comedy and we’ve some actually thrilling initiatives within the works. I even have desires of writing books and performing in movies. Within the meantime, I plan to proceed posting foolish movies from an earnest place of uplifting authenticity. I hope being myself proudly can encourage others to do the identical. I am so excited and grateful for what’s forward.

Take a look at extra interviews in Mashable’s Small Speak, a collection the place we meet up with the web’s favourite Extraordinarily On-line people offline.