The Uncomfortable Genius Of Mike O'Brien: 5 Essential Projects Since SNL And A.P. Bio

Mike O'Brien remains one of the most intriguing and influential comedy writers of the last decade, a master of the deeply awkward and profoundly specific sketch. As of December 2025, fans are eagerly awaiting his next major move following the conclusion of his critically acclaimed NBC/Peacock series, *A.P. Bio*. While he is not currently on a massive, publicized stand-up tour, O'Brien continues to make select appearances, focusing on the distinct, often uncomfortable, comedic voice that first made him a standout writer and brief cast member on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL).

The comedian's career is a fascinating blend of high-profile network TV and deeply personal, independent projects. From writing some of SNL's most memorable digital shorts to creating a beloved sitcom about a disgraced philosophy professor, Michael Patrick O'Brien has carved out a unique space in the comedy landscape. Here is an in-depth look at the man, his career, and the projects that define his comedic genius.

Michael Patrick O'Brien: The Comedy Architect's Profile

Mike O'Brien, often recognized for his quiet intensity and ability to craft characters that are both pathetic and endearing, has a resume that speaks to his versatility as a comedian, actor, and writer. His career trajectory from the legendary improv stage to the writer's room at Studio 8H is a testament to his unique comedic vision.

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• Full Name: Michael Patrick O'Brien
• Date of Birth: June 22, 1976
• Birthplace: Blissfield, Michigan, U.S.
• Education/Training: Second City (Chicago)
• Known For: Writer and brief cast member on *Saturday Night Live*; Creator of the NBC/Peacock series *A.P. Bio*.
• Key Projects: *A.P. Bio*, *Saturday Night Live*, *7 Minutes in Heaven with Mike O'Brien*, *Tasty Radio* (Comedy Album).
• Comedic Style: Uncomfortable comedy, highly specific character work, and melancholy absurdity.
• Notable Relationships: Has been romantically linked to former SNL co-star Cecily Strong.
• Latest Activity (2025): Occasional stand-up appearances and podcast guest spots, including an appearance on Andy Richter's "The Three Questions" podcast.

The SNL Years: Architect of the Absurd and Uncomfortable Comedy

O'Brien began his tenure at *Saturday Night Live* in 2009 as a writer, a role he held for four seasons before being promoted to a featured player for the 2013–2014 season. His time on the show, though brief as a performer, was marked by a distinct brand of "uncomfortable comedy" that often centered on characters trapped in deeply awkward or surreal situations. His sketches rarely relied on broad celebrity impressions, instead focusing on the painful specificity of human interaction.

His work is often cited by comedy critics for its high concept and commitment to a bizarre premise. He was a key force behind some of the most memorable digital shorts of that era, many of which are now considered cult classics in the SNL canon. This era cemented his reputation as a writer who could find the humor in sadness and the absurd in the mundane.

Three Essential Mike O'Brien SNL Sketches

To understand O'Brien's comedic blueprint, one must look at the sketches that best showcase his singular vision:

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• "The Jay-Z Story": This short perfectly exemplifies O'Brien's style. He plays a nervous, overly-earnest white guy who claims to be the legendary rapper Jay-Z, clinging desperately to an unbelievable lie while his friends try to gently humor him. The sketch is a masterclass in sustained, excruciating awkwardness.
• "Uber for Jen": A simple premise—a group of friends uses the Uber app to summon a car for their friend Jen—unravels into a complex, existential crisis of guilt and logistics. The sketch highlights O'Brien's ability to find dark humor in the minutiae of modern life and the passive-aggressive nature of friendship.
• "Dragon Babies": A bizarre and surreal short where O'Brien and fellow comedian Noël Wells play a couple who have adopted two "dragon babies." The sketch is unapologetically strange, a complete commitment to a fantasy premise that is played with deadpan seriousness. This type of high-concept absurdity is a hallmark of his writing.

Life After Lorne Michaels: A.P. Bio and Independent Projects

After leaving SNL, Mike O'Brien transitioned his talents to creating his own television series, *A.P. Bio*. The show, which premiered on NBC in 2018 before moving to the streaming service Peacock, ran for four seasons and starred Glenn Howerton (*It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*) as Jack Griffin, a disgraced Harvard philosophy professor forced to teach high school biology in Toledo, Ohio.

As the showrunner, O'Brien infused *A.P. Bio* with his signature style, making it a surprisingly warm and character-driven comedy despite its cynical premise. The show was praised for its ensemble cast, including Patton Oswalt as Principal Durbin, and its commitment to developing bizarre, yet lovable, side characters. The show’s success proved that O’Brien’s unique voice could sustain a long-form narrative, moving beyond the sketch format.

The Audio World: The Cult of *Tasty Radio* and *7 Minutes in Heaven*

Beyond his television work, O'Brien has cultivated a strong following through his independent audio and web projects, which are essential viewing (and listening) for any fan of his work. These projects are where his "uncomfortable" style truly shines without the constraints of network television.

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• *Tasty Radio* (2016 Comedy Album): Released by New Wave Dynamics, *Tasty Radio* is a sketch comedy album that leans heavily into the radio format, featuring a series of bizarre and often melancholy vignettes. The album pulls its style from comedy classics like Adam Sandler's early albums but with a decidedly more surreal and intellectual bent. It is a pure distillation of O'Brien’s mind, featuring characters like Fashid and various oddballs.
• *7 Minutes in Heaven with Mike O'Brien* (Web Series): This web series, which pre-dates his SNL cast membership, features O'Brien interviewing celebrities while they are awkwardly crammed together in a small closet. The premise is designed for discomfort, forcing guests like Kristen Wiig, Michael Cera, and Paul Rudd to engage in hilariously stilted and intimate conversations. The series is a perfect showcase for O'Brien's deadpan delivery and his love for finding humor in social anxiety.

What's Next for Mike O'Brien in 2025 and Beyond?

With *A.P. Bio* having concluded, fans are eager to see O'Brien's next major creative endeavor. As of late 2025, he appears to be taking time to focus on his stand-up roots and guest appearances.

While a large-scale national tour is currently not listed, he occasionally performs at comedy clubs, maintaining his connection to the live comedy scene where he first honed his craft at places like Second City. His stand-up is known for its cerebral, conversational nature, often exploring the same themes of anxiety and social awkwardness that permeate his writing.

The absence of a new, high-profile series or film project suggests O'Brien is likely in the incubation phase, developing a new concept that will once again challenge comedy norms. Given his history of moving between writing, acting, and creating, his next move could be anything from a new streaming series to a return to the world of feature film, following his brief appearance in the 2019 film *Sword of Trust*. Whatever he chooses, Mike O'Brien's commitment to specific, character-driven, and wonderfully uncomfortable comedy ensures his next project will be one of the most anticipated in the industry.