Comedian Paul Longley Reacts to Copycats Stealing His Sketches: ‘It’s a Bit of a Wild West Out Here’

Award-winning comedy actor and writer Paul Longley has managed something few comedians can claim: his jokes don’t just go viral – they stick. But there’s a downside to his inevitable success.

The beloved British comic’s unique style of humor is so popular and so funny that his wildly popular sketches are often stolen time and time again on social media, with chancers trying to rip his punchlines, his ideas, and his concepts.

Yet still, in an increasingly saturated landscape, it’s clear who the original is.

“It’s make-or-break for everyone in the comedy circuit. It’s important the casting directors and writers know who was really behind these incredibly funny videos,” one Hollywood industry source exclusively told In Touch.

In one of his most widely praised and viral sketches, Longley shows how a man can go out of their way to appear non-threatening when women pass by. He posted it in 2023 — and one year later, ‘social vultures’ are still ripping off his bit without crediting him.

It’s just one of many examples of Longley’s comedy inspiring a trend, and after an avalanche of his followers reaching out to express their anger at imitators, he recently decided to repost his original video again.

Speaking exclusively to In Touch, Longley said, “I’m not the only person this has ever happened to. Far from it. I know loads of incredibly talented comedy acts online who have fallen victim to their work being copied. It’s usually the same thing. Bigger accounts taking from smaller and their reach then blows the original out of the water. It’s a bit of a wild west out here for it. Traditionally in comedy if someone was seen to be stealing someone else’s material, there would be a strong negative reaction to it.”

However, despite copycat versions also seeing viral success, an outpour of love for Longley’s original looks to be turning the tide.

“What really surprised me was the reaction people who follow me had to seeing others copy this video. I thought of it as a sketch that I was proud of that people enjoyed 18 months ago but would’ve probably forgotten by now,” he said.

“What I didn’t expect was how much it meant to a lot of people,” Longley continued. “I had messages from people telling me they watch this still every week or whenever they need cheering up or that they quote it with their husband or sister on a daily basis. It was incredible to read. The common thread was because of the message it carried, it resonated with people so much more.”