This Bizarre British Comedy is Coming to the US— on a Niche Streamer
What’s your favorite idea? Mine is being creative.
If you, too, were a Tumblr girlie in the 2010s, you might be familiar with the cultural phenomenon that is “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.” It began as a free web series on YouTube in 2011, introducing the world to a group of colorful puppets trapped in a pseudo-educational horror show filled with glitter and gore.
The franchise eventually scored a longer TV series on the U.K.’s Channel 4 in 2022. It’s been region-locked for the past four years and is finally coming to an American streaming service this March. But it’s not Netflix, HBO Max, or Peacock—it’s a comedy-focused streaming service called Dropout.
Never heard of Dropout? Already a diehard “Game Changer” fan? Either way, let’s dive into the details so you can get right to watching “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.”
How to watch the “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared” TV show
If you want to watch Channel 4’s “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared” show outside of the U.K., you’ll be able to do so starting March 20 on Dropout. Dropout is a streaming service from the comedians formerly known as College Humor, and a monthly subscription is currently $6.99/mo. There’s also a three-day free trial if you just want to check out the one show and then dip.
As a Dropout fan, though, I’d recommend checking out its other shows before you cancel your trial.
Dropout is full of fantastic improv comedy shows like “Game Changer,” “Make Some Noise,” and “Very Important People.” (If you like things that are a bit upsetting, like “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared,” you might be particularly interested in that last one.) And Brennan Lee Mulligan’s “Dimension 20” is the best D&D actual play show on the market, IMHO.
I’m not even being paid by Dropout to say any of this—although if you’d like to sponsor an article, Sam Reich, y’know, call me.
Watch ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ for free
Don’t worry—the original web shorts aren’t going away. You’ll still be able to watch the 2011–2016 episodes for free on YouTube. You can start with the pilot below:
The original shorts are also currently streaming on Dropout, but not for free.
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