The Way Comedy Reinforces “Bigger is Better”
Media frequently reflects what we believe. Today, we’re continuing our Dicks in Flicks series, where we look at the messages revealed by media* that feature full-frontal male nudity. In our last look at comedy, we kept things broad, but this time we’re focusing on one very specific theme: penis size.
Whether it’s over-the-top comparisons, gags about being less-than-blessed, or characters reacting to something massive, comedy reflects and reinforces cultural messages about what bodies are considered desirable. Put simply: big penis good, small penis bad. Let’s break it down and explore how this trope shapes, and sometimes warps, our understanding of what’s valued.
*By media, we mean film, television, and streaming shows.
Prosthetic Comparisons
We found three pieces of media that illustrate how the reaction to dramatically different sized dicks playoff and reinforce the [bogus] belief that bigger is better.
Our first example is as direct as it gets—clones. In Future Man (2017), a sci-fi comedy series created by Kyle Hunter and Ariel Shaffir, Josh Futturman (Josh Hutcherson) swaps penises with the hyper-masculine Wolf (Derek Wilson). Wolf’s penis is comically large, complete with ample pubes—everything we’re told the manliest of schlongs should look like.
In one memorable moment, Josh fights a clone while both are nude. The clone’s reaction to Josh’s oversized, much larger penis becomes the focal point of the humor. The gag highlights societal fixations on size while poking fun at its absurdity.
In a slight variation on the theme, Hall Pass (2011), directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly, features a locker room scene that emphasizes drastically different penises. After fainting in a gym, Rick (Owen Wilson) is helped by two naked men. Thaddeus Rahming, who is very well-endowed, stands near Rick’s head, with his large penis directly in Rick’s line of sight. Rich Brown, with a noticeably smaller (and very prosthetic) penis, stands near Rick’s feet.
Rick asks the men to switch places. When Brown questions why, the camera pans down to his small penis, revealing the punchline: Rick would rather have a small penis near his face than a big one. The humor not only plays on Rick’s insecurity but also reinforces racial stereotypes, as Rahming is Black while Brown is white.
Finally, in The Overnight (2015), director Patrick Brice uses prosthetics to show how sexual partners react to different-sized penises. During a skinny-dipping scene, Alex (Adam Scott) and Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) get naked, revealing starkly different anatomies, with Scott’s penis noticeably smaller than Schwartzman’s.
Their partners observe from a hot tub. Alex’s partner is visibly surprised by Kurt’s size, while Kurt’s partner simply enjoys the men’s playful antics. The scene contrasts the partners’ responses, subtly reflecting how societal expectations shape perceptions and reactions to size.
Each of these scenes reinforces the idea that a bigger penis is more desirable.
When Small Becomes the Joke
In contrast to the prosthetics used to emphasize size comparisons, these examples rely on actors’ real size as the root of the humor.
In Jody Hill’s Observe and Report (2009), Randy Gambill plays a flasher whose audacity far outweighs his physical endowment. The character’s small size becomes the punchline, contrasting with his bold exhibitionism and creating a sense of absurdity. The audience is invited to laugh at the fat guy with the little dick, reinforcing stereotypes about body size and shame.
Ken Jeong’s Mr. Chow in The Hangover series epitomizes this trope. In The Hangover II (2011), the group stumbles upon a pile of clutter on the floor, among which is something biological they don’t immediately recognize. They—and the camera, in close-up—inspect it closely, only to discover it’s Mr. Chow’s very small penis.
Jeong has openly embraced nudity as a way to destigmatize it. From an article in The Guardian, “It was his wife, after all, who predicted that The Hangover would be a feel-good hit because the most insecure male viewer would consider himself well-endowed compared with her husband.”
A subtler example comes from The Righteous Gemstones (2019–). In one scene, a drug-fueled party with nudity is projected on the wall during a confrontation. Danny McBride’s character chastises the participants, while Chad (James Dumont) is visible in the projection, his smaller-than-average penis displayed prominently behind him. His nudity isn’t just a gag—part of the humor hinges on the idea that having a small penis is inherently shameful.
Final Thoughts
The jokes are easy to make because they draw from something society reinforces in countless ways: having a bigger penis is better. While these jokes often land their laughs, they also perpetuate harmful stereotypes that tie self-worth to size—an idea that deeply affects how audiences perceive themselves and others.
At Natural Pursuits, we strive to create a space where people feel comfortable in their bodies. We believe shame is a tool used to control people and keep them from pursuing what they want. Time and energy wasted worrying about something as unchangeable as penis size could be better spent building a happier, more fulfilling life.
Media portrayals of these dynamics shape cultural norms and mirror the insecurities many people carry. By examining these tropes and their impact, we can challenge the narratives that hold us back and move toward a world where everyone feels valued, no matter their size. Comedy doesn’t need to rely on tired stereotypes—it can evolve alongside the values of its audience.
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