Well-known for his appearance in the Hangover trilogy, Zach Galifianakis is also a well-liked comedian who created an interview show between 2008-2018 called Between Two Ferns, where he interviewed various famous stars. These included people like Justin Bieber, Jimmy Kimmel, Bradley Cooper, and even President Barack Obama. If you enjoy comedy or just some really awkward interviews, check out our article listing the best Between Two Ferns episodes ranked from best to worst.
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How We Rated The Best Between Two Ferns Episodes
In order to present the best-curated list for our readers, we based our Between Two Ferns rankings on IMDb scores from worst to best over the eight seasons Zach Galifianakis filmed. Each score is listed under the video and description of each episode, so you know just how good each episode was.
Where to Watch Between Two Ferns
You can watch all the episodes listed below on either Amazon Prime Video or YouTube, and get all the hilariously awkward interviews whenever you want to watch them.
22. “Jimmy Kimmel” (S1, E2)
Known as being a late-night talk show host, Jimmy Kimmel had his work cut out for him when he decided to be on an episode of Between Two Ferns. With entertaining segments about Kimmel dating Sarah Silverman and doing a sketch with Ben Affleck, there are great points to this interview. The only downside may be that Kimmel is a little stiff during the whole interview, giving it a lower score overall.
- IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
21. “Sean Penn” (S3, E3)
There might be a few shining moments in this episode, namely Zach’s fictional brother Seth conducting the interview, but overall this episode falls flat due to Sean Penn’s unhumorous personality. There was potential for this episode to be better, but due to the conflicting personalities of both host and interviewee, we are ranking it at number twenty-one. Sean Penn, outside of this interview, is an actor and film director, best known for the mystery film Mystic River.
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
20. “Happy Holidays Edition” (S5, E5)
Though some consider this to not be a “real” episode of the series since it is a special, we still have added it to our list. “Happy Holidays Edition” features several guests, including a calm Samuel L. Jackson, smug Tobey Maguire, and all 900 members of Arcade Fire. This episode is fun because of all the various guests, and Tobey’s interview was especially entertaining. It’s also interesting that both Jackson and Maguire were in one interview, as they are both part of the Marvel Universe as Nick Fury and Spiderman, respectively.
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
19. “Tila Tequila” (S4, E1)
With not too many big laughs for the viewer during the episode, that is why Tila Tequila’s episode gets pushed to the back, just like Jennifer Aniston during the interview. Tila Tequila is a television and social media personality, and modeled in several magazines. Jennifer Aniston is a largely-known actress, playing in films such as Just Go With It, Murder Mystery, We’re the Millers, and the ever-popular TV show Friends.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
18. “Bruce Willis” (S4, E3)
This episode is quite interesting, mostly because in the beginning half of the interview, Bruce Willis refuses to engage with Zach. Then after the halfway point Willis becomes extremely talkative, to the point that he is carrying the whole interview. It’s a funny switch on a normal interview that keeps us entertained and laughing. Bruce Willis is an actor known for the incredible movies Die Hard and Armageddon.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
17. “James Franco” (S5, E3)
Another episode that isn’t really an episode is when James Franco interacts with Galifianakis during a Lonely Island music video that is perfectly wrapped around a Between Two Ferns episode. Galifianakis goes after Franco in a hilariously fun way that makes this episode a breath of fresh air compared to a more standard interview. But, since it is not a true episode, it does fall in the rankings. James Franco appears in Sam Raimi’s Spiderman, 127 Hours, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
- IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
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16. “Michael Cera” (S1, E1)
Though the IMDb rating is not as high as the following episodes, Michael Cera and Zach Galifianakis sure know how to make people laugh during this heated interview. The wildly inappropriate final segment is sure to get you laughing so hard your sides hurt, and since Cera is a perfect foil to Galifianakis, the show is an epic showdown between the two. Michael Cera has recently appeared in Barbie, and likes to portray somewhat awkward and offbeat characters.
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
15. “Conan O’Brien & Anthony Richter” (S2, E4)
Two talk show hosts join forces to talk with Zach Galifianakis in this Between Two Ferns episode. Conan O’Brien and Anthony Richter are both entertaining, but this episode did not do as well because O’Brien does most of the talking as one of the most “sincere” people in an interview. The main thing that saves this episode is that O’Brien starts to “bomb” in the end, and a guest appearance draws a few laughs.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
14. “Jon Hamm” (S1, E3)
This show is funny but does not have anything special that would qualify it for the top ten best Between Two Ferns episodes. You might forget this episode happened except for the most memorable line ever said by Galifianakis when he says that he’s allergic to ferns. What?! Jon Hamm outside of the show is an actor best known for Top Gun: Maverick, Baby Driver, and Good Omens.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
13. “Ben Stiller” (S3, E1)
One of my favorite comedians and comedic actors is Ben Stiller, and it only makes sense that he appears on our best Between Two Ferns episode list. The episode is definitely NSFW, as Stiller is a slightly confused guest who tries to brush aside Galifianakis’ inappropriate language and insults until he finally cannot handle it anymore. This leads to a wildly funny episode that will be on replay. Stiller is a well-known actor, appearing in Zoolander, Night at the Museum, Tropic Thunder, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
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12. “Jerry Seinfeld & Cardi B” (S8, E1)
This episode ranks well because two guests are being interviewed — Jerry Seinfeld and Cardi B — and their interactions with each other and Galifianakis really make the episode. Usually, Seinfeld is quite immune to all the foolishness and charms that Galifianakis would present on a Between the Two Ferns episode, but since Cardi B is there, his closed demeanor breaks. Seinfeld is a huge actor and comedian, and Cardi B also holds her own in the music industry, so this is a fun episode to explore.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
11. “Justin Bieber” (S5, E4)
Justin Bieber is one of those people that everyone knows, and most of the time it’s not for a good reason. I remember having a few years where Justin Bieber was one of my favorite artists, but after his disastrous escapades, I think he’s okay back in the shadows. In terms of his episode, Bieber does allow Galifianakis to bring up topics like Bieber’s trip to the Anne Frank House, but the downside is that Galifianakis is carrying the episode, making it not as funny as it could be.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
10. “Will Ferrell” (S4, E2)
Even though it’s not one of the highest episodes rated on IMDb, there is a certain strangeness to both Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis that combines for a hysterical interview. Usually, the guest is “normal” and doesn’t join in on the weirdness, but Ferrell often thrives in weird situations and really shines in this interview. If you want to watch two well-known comedians battle it out, definitely check out Will Ferrell’s episode. I personally love Will Ferrell’s hysterical personality, and he really shines in any movie he’s in.
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
9. “Natalie Portman” (S2, E1)
If you don’t enjoy cringing, you might want to bypass this episode between Natalie Portman and Galifianakis. Not only does he ask extremely personal questions, but Galifianakis consistently hits on Portman throughout the entire episode. The only winning point is that the episode is a sort-of parody of Hollywood and the dangers for a successful, attractive female. Portman is known for her roles in Thor, Star Wars, Black Swan and her upcoming film May December.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
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8. “Hillary Clinton” (S7, E1)
Once a runner for the first female President, Hillary Clinton has appeared on several talk shows for numerous interviews, but nothing is quite like her interview with Zach Galifianakis. More vicious and hysterical than Obama’s interview, if you want to see Clinton from her 2016 era, make sure to check out this episode of Between Two Ferns.
- IMDb Rating: 8/10
7. “Bradley Cooper” (S2, E2)
First things first, I love Bradley Cooper. His dynamic with Galifianakis is the best out of all of the guests on this list, and his performance in Hangover is priceless. Since they have a relationship with each other, Cooper and Galifianakis go head-to-head in a verbal tussle that actually ends in a semi-fist fight. If you enjoy Hangover, I would highly recommend this best Between Two Ferns episode.
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
6. “Charlize Theron” (S2, E3)
Hands down one of the weirdest episodes of Between Two Ferns, Charlize Theron has her own agenda that leaves Galifianakis stumbling, trying to figure out what’s going on. The best part of this interview is that Galifianakis wrongly assumes what’s going on in the interview, leaving the ending to be quite funny. Theron is an actress and has appeared in several movies including Mad Max, Atomic Blonde, and Long Shot.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
5. “Oscar Buzz Edition Part 2” (S5, E2)
Ah, the “Oscar Buzz Edition” episodes. With several guest stars flipping through, there are bound to be some pretty funny moments that appear. In this episode from 2013, guests include Jessica Chastain, Sally Field, Emmanuel Lewis, and Bradley Cooper. The best part of this episode hands down is when Bradley Cooper and Galifianakis fight again, and pull out all the comedic stops to make this a great episode.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
4. “Oscar Buzz Edition Part 1” (S5, E1)
The first edition of the “Oscar Buzz Edition” takes a higher spot than the second and provides all the laughs needed in a Between Two Ferns episode. The stars in this video include Jennifer Lawrence, Naomi Watts, Christoph Waltz, Anne Hathaway, and Amy Adams. The best segment of the show is Amy Adams though, and she continuously delivers hysterical one-liners that keep the show going.
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
3. “President Barack Obama” (S6, E1)
This episode is an accomplishment just partially due to the fact that Galifianakis interviewed a sitting U.S. President in the White House. That does not happen every day, especially as Obama allows Galifianakis to throw some jokes and bribes at him. The most interesting part of this episode was Obama’s pitch for ObamaCare, which drastically increased sales after this episode aired.
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
2. “Brad Pitt” (S6, E2)
If you want an episode that starts kinda entertaining to hysterical, you need to check out Between Two Ferns with Brad Pitt. At the beginning, Brad Pitt is quite stoic, but as the episode continues Pitt becomes “insane” and really ramps up the comedic aspect to the episode. Brad Pitt has been in several large films including Bullet Train, Fight Club, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Babylon.
- IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
1. “Steve Carell” (S3, E1)
The best Between Two Ferns episode should come as no surprise, as it stars Steve Carell alongside Galifianakis. Carell is another one of those funny actors that I love to watch, especially in the movie Evan Almighty. In order to have a really funny episode, both the interviewer and the interviewee have to be prepared to throw barbs and increase the hilarity, and that is exactly what Carell and Galifianakis do in this episode.
- IMDb Rating: 8.8/10
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Comedy comes in several different forms, whether it’s stand-up, skits, or awkward interviews, all types of comedy are designed to make you laugh until your sides hurt. If you enjoyed the Hangover trilogy, make sure to check out Zach Galifianakis’ show Between Two Ferns and get your fill of this clever comedian.