Dave Chappelle, ‘SNL’ debate among most popular YouTube videos in US for 2020

Dave Chappelle’s ‘8:46’ video was viewed over 29 million times on YouTube this year. Image: AFP/Alex Edelman.

Which videos were most watched by YouTube viewers in the United States this 2020? The video platform unveiled its top 10 ranking on Dec. 1.

Parodies, stand-up comedy and good news were among the themes defining the key videos that helped Americans internet users make it through this difficult year.

As the end of 2020 approaches, YouTube has unveiled its ranking of videos for the year in the U.S. The 10 most-watched videos were greatly influenced by a year marked by turmoil, the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrations against police brutality and, of course, a fierce presidential election.

Comedian Dave Chappelle led the pack with his “8:46” special, shot in June 2020. The headline of his stand-up show references the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was choked by a police officer who placed a knee on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. This tragic event, captured on video, contributed to mass demonstrations against police brutality under the Black Lives Matter movement throughout the U.S. and the world.

The U.S. presidential election made an appearance in the top 10 videos of the year. A “Saturday Night Live” parody of a debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden (played by Alec Baldwin and Jim Carrey, respectively) ranked third.

In the midst of a nerve-wracking year, internet users also shared light and fun content. For instance, the video showing Mark Rober building a squirrel-proof bird feeder ranked second. Ricky Gervais’s Golden Globe speech from last January likewise ranked in the top 10. Good news also became viral, notably thanks to John Krasinski’s “Some Good News” series that tackled positive topics during this gloomy period.

The top 10 most popular videos on YouTube in 2020 in the United States

1. “8:46 – Dave Chappelle” – Netflix Is A Joke

2. “Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder” – Mark Rober

3. “First Debate Cold Open” – “Saturday Night Live”

4. “We Broke Up” – JeffreeStar

5. “I Bought The World’s Largest Firework” – MrBeast

6. “I’m Coming Out” – NikkieTutorials

7. “Minecraft Speedrunner VS 3 Hunters GRAND FINALE” – Dream

8. “Ricky Gervais’ Monologue – 2020 Golden Globes” – NBC

9. “Quarantine Stereotypes” – Dude Perfect

10. “Some Good News with John Krasinski Ep. 1” – SomeGoodNews. CC

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