If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Dropout.tv lately, you’ve probably seen a gray, wrinkly creature with a high-pitched voice screaming about needing a "new dad." That’s Spencer. Specifically, that’s Spencer from Very Important People, the improvised talk show hosted by Vic Michaelis.
Honestly, the character has become such a massive cultural touchstone within the improv community that people who have never even heard of Dropout are sharing clips of a baby demon from Hell. It’s wild.
The Chaos of Very Important People Spencer
So, what is it? Basically, the premise of the show is that a comedian gets a total physical transformation via prosthetics and makeup. They have no idea what they look like until they see themselves in a mirror. Then, they have to walk onto a set and do a full, unscripted interview with Vic Michaelis.
When Lisa Gilroy—an improv powerhouse known for her work on Comedy Bang! Bang!—sat in the makeup chair for the Season 2 finale, the team turned her into a nightmare. A bald, gray-skinned, sharp-toothed baby demon.
She walked out as Very Important People Spencer, and the resulting episode was pure, unadulterated madness.
Spencer isn't just a monster. He’s a "baby demon from Hell" who is looking for a father figure because his own dad is apparently a piece of work. The character is a masterclass in "Yes, And" gone off the rails. Lisa Gilroy has this uncanny ability to take a weird premise and push it until it becomes physically uncomfortable for the host.
You’ve probably seen the "snorkeling" bit. It’s the kind of comedy that makes your skin crawl while you’re laughing. Vic Michaelis, who usually plays a very composed, slightly narcissistic version of themselves, was visibly shaken. That’s the magic of the Spencer episode. It felt less like a parody of a talk show and more like a fever dream that happened to be filmed in a studio.
Why Spencer Went Viral
Why did this specific character blow up? Most characters on the show are funny, sure. We had Tommy Shriggly and Augbert in Season 1. But Spencer hit different.
- The Visuals: The makeup team, led by Alex Perrone and supervised by director Tamar Levine, did a job that was almost too good. Spencer looks repulsive. The contrast between that face and the needy, childlike voice Lisa Gilroy uses is hilarious.
- The Commitment: Lisa doesn't wink at the camera. She is Spencer. When she asks Vic to be her dad, it’s played with such desperate, demonic sincerity that you can't help but lean in.
- The Sound: The "crunching" and "mouth sounds" warnings on the episode are there for a reason. Spencer is a sensory experience. For some, it’s misophonia-inducing; for others, it’s the funniest thing they’ve ever heard.
TikTok took these clips and ran with them. For a few weeks in mid-2025, you couldn't scroll through your feed without hearing Spencer’s frantic voice. It actually caused a bit of a rift in the fandom, with long-time Dropout subs getting annoyed that new fans only cared about the "baby demon" and didn't know the lore of Vic’s fictional step-daughter, Bianca.
Behind the Scenes: How Lisa Gilroy Created Spencer
In the "Last Looks" behind-the-scenes footage, you can actually see the moment Lisa sees herself for the first time. She doesn't hesitate. She sees the bib and the gray skin and immediately finds the voice.
It’s interesting to note how much Vic Michaelis knows beforehand. While they help coordinate the costumes to the performers, they generally don't see the final look until the cameras are rolling. This creates a genuine reaction. When Spencer starts talking about "snorkeling," Vic’s reaction isn't just acting—it’s the reaction of someone who is genuinely wondering what they’ve signed up for.
The episode, titled "Spencer," aired as the Season 2 finale on June 5, 2025. It was a 27-minute descent into insanity. The ending of the episode even felt like a series finale to some fans because of how surreal it got—there was canned laughter that wasn't there before, and Spencer walked into a door in a way that felt like a Lynchian nightmare.
The "Spencer" Effect on Dropout
Dropout has always been a niche platform for "theater kids and comedy nerds." But characters like Spencer are changing that. They are bridging the gap between niche improv and mainstream meme culture.
If you're looking to get into the show because of the Spencer clips, you should know that the energy is consistent across the series. However, Lisa Gilroy is a recurring guest for a reason. In Season 1, she played Vic’s Ex-Step-Grandmother, another character that involved a lot of fingernail-eating and uncomfortable physical proximity.
Spencer is just the logical evolution of that chaotic energy.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of Very Important People Spencer, or if you’re an aspiring improviser looking at this as a case study, here’s what you can actually take away from the phenomenon:
- Commitment is everything: The reason Spencer works is that Lisa Gilroy never breaks. Even when the bit is gross or nonsensical, she stays in the "truth" of the character.
- Physicality dictates character: If you're doing improv, let your costume or your physical stance tell you who you are. Lisa saw a baby demon and didn't try to make him "cool" or "edgy"—she made him needy and loud.
- Watch the full context: If you’ve only seen the TikTok clips, go watch the full episode on Dropout. The build-up to the "dad" conversation makes the payoff much stronger.
- Explore the rest of Season 2: While Spencer is the breakout star, characters like Hayes Steele or the transhumanist scientist from earlier in the season provide a great look at how different comedians handle the "blind makeover" challenge.
The third season of Very Important People premiered in late 2025, and while it continues to push boundaries, the Spencer episode remains a high-water mark for the series. It’s the kind of comedy that reminds us why improv is so special—it’s a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that can never be perfectly replicated.
To see more of this specific brand of chaos, you can check out the "Last Looks" segments on YouTube or the Dropout app. They provide a lot of insight into the prosthetic work that makes characters like Spencer possible. Whether you love him or he gives you nightmares, there's no denying that Spencer is one of the most significant characters in modern improv history.