Ep. 38: Ben Wearing Kelly’s Shoes (ft. Liam Kyle Sullivan)

This week on It’s Ben A Week, Ben fulfills a childhood dream — sitting down with viral video pioneer Liam Kyle Sullivan, the creator of Kelly from the Shoes video that defined early YouTube and inspired a generation of comedians.

They dive into everything from the origin of Kelly to how YouTube fame in the 2000s was completely different from TikTok virality today. Liam shares behind-the-scenes stories about creating Shoes, Muffins, and Text Message Breakup, how Susan Walker was born, and why Shoes almost didn’t happen.

The conversation covers:

• The Jimmy Kimmel suspension, free speech, and how comedy is being policed
• The slow rise of Shoes before “viral” was even a word
• Casting friends, filming in Marshalls, and the $300 store rental that made history
• Why Susan Walker might secretly be everyone’s aunt
• The difference between YouTube’s golden age and today’s TikTok scroll culture
• The comeback: Liam performing Shoes live at drag shows and Pride events in 2024
• His upcoming projects: A Very Kelly Christmas live show and his solo show Wearing Kelly’s Shoes

For Ben, it’s more than nostalgia — he credits Kelly with inspiring him to create his own skits and chase acting in LA.

Follow Liam Kyle Sullivan

• Instagram: @liamksullivan
• YouTube: Liam Kyle Sullivan
• Upcoming live shows: A Very Kelly Christmas and Wearing Kelly’s Shoes

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