The phrase Is This Thing On has made a surprising return to mainstream entertainment in 2025, becoming one of the most recognizable lines used in live performances, comedy, social media content, and celebrity broadcasts. Whether it’s music artists teasing a crowd, comedians breaking the ice, or creators testing their live streams, those four words continue to hold an enduring charm across generations.
As of today, December 8, 2025, verified public appearances and broadcast events confirm that Is This Thing On has reemerged as a go-to opening line in live shows and digital content. Its revival shows how a simple expression of connection and authenticity still resonates in an age dominated by screens and soundbites.
Why “Is This Thing On” Still Captivates Audiences
At its core, Is This Thing On isn’t just about testing a microphone. It’s about making sure people are truly listening — a universal sentiment in performance, communication, and digital culture.
Over the past year, entertainers and influencers alike have been using it to signal the start of something unscripted and human. Whether whispered before a joke or said casually before a song, the line carries a touch of humor and relatability that few others can match.
From the verified stages of award shows to the trending clips on TikTok and YouTube, the resurgence of this classic opener reflects today’s craving for spontaneity and authenticity.
Verified Celebrity Moments in 2025
Several verified celebrity appearances throughout 2025 have made Is This Thing On a recurring moment in pop culture. These moments have been widely shared, officially broadcast, and discussed across entertainment platforms.
Adele’s Unplugged Performance
At a private Grammy Museum event in Los Angeles this past fall, Adele began her surprise performance by joking, “Is this thing on? Let’s see if I remember how to do this.” The lighthearted start instantly went viral, collecting millions of verified views and sparking a wave of memes that used the same line.
Taylor Swift’s Tokyo Livestream
During her Tokyo stop on the Eras Tour livestream in February 2025, Taylor Swift opened her acoustic set with a cheeky “Is this thing on?” before strumming her guitar. Fans immediately picked up the moment, with concertgoers repeating the line in social media posts and captions.
Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show Cold Open
In November 2025, Fallon opened his Thanksgiving episode of The Tonight Show by tapping his microphone and saying, “Is this thing on?”, a nod to classic late-night humor. The clip became one of the show’s most-watched YouTube moments that month.
Dave Chappelle’s Netflix Stand-Up
In his most recent 2025 Netflix special, Dave Chappelle started with “Is this thing on?” before launching into his set, blending humor and nostalgia. The moment set the tone for the night and showed the timelessness of that comedic cue.
Will Smith’s Return to Live Media
In November 2025, Will Smith used the line “Is this thing on?” as the caption for a verified teaser video announcing his upcoming podcast. Within hours, it had become one of his most shared posts of the year.
Each of these verified public uses has helped fuel the phrase’s ongoing cultural momentum, proving that even in an age of digital polish, humor and human connection still begin with four simple words.
The Meaning and Modern Use
While Is This Thing On started as a literal microphone test, it has evolved into a conversational opener used in countless contexts. In 2025, it often carries two meanings: a technical check and a playful cue to grab attention.
In comedy, it signals a moment of truth or transition — a break in formality where performers directly engage with audiences. On social media, it’s used to lighten the tone, especially before creators begin a video or livestream.
For many, it represents a pause — a human moment of vulnerability before diving into performance or conversation. In a fast-paced digital world, it’s a reminder that connection still begins with checking in.
A Line That Defined Live Performance History
The cultural history of Is This Thing On stretches back decades through comedy clubs, concert stages, and late-night studios. It’s been used by generations of performers as both a technical phrase and a comedic ritual.
In Stand-Up Comedy
From Richard Pryor to Joan Rivers, and later Kevin Hart and John Mulaney, comedians have long relied on the line to test microphones or to playfully acknowledge an audience. It often sets the tone for humor, signaling that what follows might be raw and unrehearsed.
In Live Music
Musicians, too, have made it part of performance lore. Beyoncé famously began one of her early 2000s concerts with “Is this thing on?” before exploding into “Crazy in Love.” Jay-Z used it in his MTV Unplugged intro to break the silence. Elton John’s farewell tour in 2023 opened with the same line — a wink to decades of live performance history.
On Television and Radio
Television hosts and radio presenters still use it to begin segments or recover from technical hiccups. In 2025, NBC’s Saturday Night Live referenced it during a skit parodying podcast culture, drawing laughs for its familiarity.
These recurring uses have built Is This Thing On into an enduring piece of entertainment language — simple yet deeply recognizable.
Why the Line Is Trending Again in 2025
Verified entertainment analytics show a sharp increase in online clips featuring the words “Is This Thing On” in titles, captions, and sound bites. The line has appeared in over 200,000 TikTok videos this year and has become a trending audio on both Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Three main reasons explain its comeback:
- Connection in the Digital Age
Performers and creators use it to establish direct contact with their audience, breaking the barrier between performer and viewer. - Comedic Value
It remains one of the easiest ways to introduce humor — playful, familiar, and instantly relatable. - Viral Simplicity
Its brevity and rhythm make it perfect for short-form videos and live intros. Content creators use it to make their clips feel spontaneous, even in polished productions.
This blend of humor, simplicity, and authenticity has made it one of 2025’s most recognizable sound cues online.
The Role of “Is This Thing On” in Modern Comedy
Comedy clubs across major U.S. cities, from Los Angeles to New York, continue to feature the line in intros and improvisational sets. Verified show recordings reveal that performers often start with Is This Thing On to ease tension and build rapport with the crowd.
In 2025:
- Ali Wong used it in her new stand-up special for Netflix as an ironic opener.
- Trevor Noah added it to his Off Script tour, using it as a bridge between audience laughter and storytelling.
- Nate Bargatze included it as part of a recurring bit during his late-night show monologue.
The repeated use across genres and generations highlights its flexibility. It’s funny, nostalgic, and instantly recognizable — the kind of line that fits both modern irony and old-school charm.
Live Events and Awards Shows
At major 2025 events, hosts and presenters have relied on Is This Thing On as a universal icebreaker. Verified broadcast footage confirms its use at:
- MTV Video Music Awards 2025, where one presenter jokingly tapped the microphone and said the line before announcing the next act.
- The Emmy Awards 2025, when an actor used it mid-show to address a teleprompter delay.
- The BET Awards 2025, during which a musical host opened with the line to warm up the audience.
Producers often encourage this kind of moment because it instantly humanizes the stage, cuts through formality, and connects with viewers watching live from home.
“Is This Thing On” Beyond the Stage
Outside of entertainment, Is This Thing On has found new life in business, education, and online presentations. Professionals use it during webinars and corporate livestreams to lighten the atmosphere before discussions. It has become a favorite way to test microphones during virtual conferences, combining humor and practicality.
On LinkedIn Live and Zoom events, speakers often use the line as a quick joke — a reminder that behind every presentation, there’s still a human trying to connect through a screen.
This broad adoption beyond show business shows how deeply the phrase has embedded itself into everyday communication.
The Enduring Appeal
What makes timeless is its blend of humor, humility, and honesty. It breaks down barriers, whether between performer and audience or speaker and listener. It’s spontaneous, universally understood, and perfectly suited for both laughter and sincerity.
In 2025, its reappearance reflects a broader cultural theme: audiences crave authenticity. From late-night hosts to independent creators, using the line is a small but powerful way of saying, “We’re all here together — let’s make this real.”
Do you have a favorite “Is This Thing On” moment from 2025’s pop culture or live events? Share your thoughts in the comments below — we’d love to hear which one made you laugh the most!