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Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds walk into a London chicken shop for a date. It might sound like the beginning of an absurd joke, but when it comes to jokes, Amelia Dimoldenberg is a pro—and she’s built a whole show around one.

Amelia Dimoldenberg’s “Chicken Shop Date” has redefined the art of celebrity interviews. Boasting nearly three million subscribers on YouTube, the show began as a comedy column for a youth newspaper, inspired by a friend’s playful suggestion for Dimoldenberg to go on a date in a place she’d typically avoid.

Over the course of a decade, “Chicken Shop Date” has emerged into an explosive, refreshing interviewing platform in the midst of overly rehearsed talk shows and podcasts. Set in humble fried chicken shops across London, the show is an anti-glamorous, hilariously absurd format that digs deeper into its guests’ personalities than most big-budget productions. 

“Chicken Shop Date” works so well because it’s refreshingly different. Dimoldenberg, armed with her signature deadpan humor, transforms the familiar structure of interviews into something wholly unpredictable. Her disarming awkwardness invites her celebrity guests—ranging from musicians like Stormzy to actors like Paul Mescal—to drop their polished PR personas and just be themselves. 

The show is a stroke of comedic genius in its simplicity, just a conversation over fried chicken. It’s intentionally mundane, which makes the entire premise even more comical. Glamorous celebrities are taken out of their element and plopped into a greasy chicken joint to answer ridiculous questions like, “Do you think the Mona Lisa is hot?” or “Do you kiss on the first date?” 

There are countless other late-night shows and celebrity broadcasts with plenty of laughs and entertaining segments. Even so, “Chicken Shop Date” stands out in its versatility. The show is just as entertaining whether you’re a diehard fan of the guest or are completely unfamiliar with them. 

Take her interview with rapper Jack Harlow, a viral sensation with over 18 million views. The flirtatious banter between the two was both hysterical and entirely unscripted, demonstrating how creating an atmosphere for humor and authenticity to thrive is more important than perfect lighting or a professional studio. 

I’m not an avid fan of Jack Harlow, but I still thoroughly enjoyed his episode. The fun in the show’s awkwardness is seeing how the celebrities handle Amelia’s awkward, unhinged interviewing style. Jack Harlow played along brilliantly, matching her energy with his own smooth remarks and humor.

Recently, an interview with Andrew Garfield sent the internet into a frenzy after people took notice of his natural chemistry with Dimoldenberg. Viewers were quick to point out how much Garfield seemed to want an actual date with her, with many joking that the pair looked completely infatuated with each other.  

Yet again, “Chicken Shop Date” proves its prowess in subtle interviewing. Dimoldenberg uses her awkwardness to lull guests into a false sense of security, leading to candid moments that reveal more about their personalities than a polished late-night segment ever could. 

Of course, “Chicken Shop Date” isn’t without its critics. Some argue that the show’s humor is too niche and relies too heavily on awkwardness, which can alienate viewers who don’t resonate with Dimoldenberg’s dry, deadpan style. 

The show format can also be repetitive, with each episode following a formula of awkward pauses and cheeky flirtation. Those seeking hard-hitting questions or deeper insights into their favorite celebrities might find “Chicken Shop Date” shallow and uninteresting.

These critiques only speak to the genius and authenticity of “Chicken Shop Date.” It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. The intention of the show is not to take a deep dive into a celebrity’s psyche. Rather, it embraces its quirks and leans into its comedy, offering something entirely different from the overly polished, formulaic world of celebrity interviews. 

While some may consider the humor niche, it’s a part of the show’s charm. Dimoldenberg’s deadpan style and the deliberately awkward atmosphere are what make the show so unique. For every viewer who doesn’t resonate with the humor, millions of others laugh at another one of Dimoldenberg’s out-of-pocket questions, evidenced by the show’s massive viral success and its ability to generate memes, trends and headlines. 

It’s unfair to say that the show’s format is repetitive, as no two guests react to Dimoldenberg’s humor the same way. “Chicken Shop Date” thrives on the unpredictable dynamics of the conversation, leaving viewers leaning into their screens to see what happens next. Whether it’s Keke Palmer’s playful chaos or Central Cee’s endearing awkwardness, “Chicken Shop Date” consistently delivers fresh and entertaining content that outshines traditional celebrity interview shows. 

In a world overflowing with celebrity content, “Chicken Shop Date” emerges as a refreshing form of interviewing that proves good entertainment doesn’t require a huge production budget or fancy studio. Sometimes, all it takes is a bucket of chicken, a perfectly awkward pause and a refined deadpan.