The Birthday Boys Season 1 Episode 6 Helpful Tips

The Birthday Boys was an American sketch comedy television series that aired on IFC from 2013-2014. In the sixth episode of the first season, titled "Helpful Tips," the group of seven comedians continues to lampoon everyday situations with absurd humor.

The episode opens with a parody of a public access cooking show, in which a hapless chef (played by Mike Hanford) struggles to cook an omelet while dealing with a series of obstacles, including a malfunctioning stove and a ring of onions that won't stay in place. In typical Birthday Boys fashion, the sketch takes increasingly ridiculous twists and turns, with the chef eventually resorting to arson to finish the dish.

Other sketches in the episode include a commercial parody for a "new, improved" version of a popular children's toy (which turns out to be a menacing, vaguely threatening robot), a infomercial for a product that allows people to simulate the experience of having a conversation at a party (complete with a cardboard cutout of a partygoer and a recorded soundtrack of people talking in the background), and a music video spoof that pokes fun at the popularity of "gangsta" rap in the 90s.

One of the standout sketches in the episode is a recurring bit called "BriTANick's Tips for Success," in which the duo of Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher offer absurd advice for achieving success in various areas of life, from dating to entrepreneurship. In this installment, they focus on the topic of office culture and offer pointers on how to impress your boss and advance your career, such as "never drink out of a paper cup" and "never say 'TGIF'."

Throughout the episode, the Birthday Boys showcase their trademark blend of physical humor, absurdist concepts, and deadpan delivery. While some of the sketches may miss the mark for some viewers, the show's willingness to take risks and push boundaries makes it an enjoyable watch for fans of offbeat comedy.

Overall, "Helpful Tips" is a solid episode of The Birthday Boys that offers plenty of laughs and showcases the group's unique comedic sensibilities. Whether you're a longtime fan of the show or just discovering it for the first time, this episode is definitely worth a watch.