Charlie Day jokes Luigi Mangione is his second-favorite Luigi

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• 🔥 Quick Facts
• How a Perfect Setup Led to Comedy Gold
• When Comedians Take the Bait
• Why This Joke Resonates in Pop Culture
• Internet Backlash and Studio Reactions
• Is This the New Standard for Celebrity Comedy?
  • Sources

Charlie Day’s joke about Luigi Mangione during a podcast interview this week has the internet roaring with laughter. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie star took a comedic risk when discussing his favorite Luigi in recent American history. His quick-witted response proved that sometimes the best comedy comes from refusing to ignore the obvious setup.

How a Perfect Setup Led to Comedy Gold

During the Tintoria Podcast appearance on Wednesday, an interviewer asked Charlie Day an unusual question. “Who’s your favorite Luigi in recent American history?” The question was clearly designed as a setup, and Day understood the subtext immediately. He laughed at the question, clearly recognizing the bait before him. Rather than dodge it, the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star decided to go all in on the comedy bit.

Day first gave the corporate-friendly answer that would make Nintendo and Universal Pictures executives happy. “Well, me, first of all,” he said confidently, promoting his own character as the voice of Luigi in the film. That was smooth. That was safe. That was exactly what movie studios want to hear during promotional interviews.

When Comedians Take the Bait

But Charlie Day isn’t known for playing it safe. His comedy career on “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” has built a reputation for sharp, irreverent humor that doesn’t shy away from dark subject matter. So when the interviewer set up that perfect comedic opportunity, Day couldn’t resist. Without hesitation, he delivered his second choice. “Luigi Mangione, number two,” he said matter-of-factly, referring to the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a New York sidewalk in December 2024.

The reaction was immediate and priceless. Anya Taylor-Joy, who voices Princess Peach in the film, covered her face in what appeared to be a mixture of shock and amusement. Keegan Michael Key laughed hysterically at the audacious comedic move. For a moment, the family-friendly promotional appearance took a very dark turn, but Day committed to the bit completely.

Why This Joke Resonates in Pop Culture

The humor works on multiple levels for audiences who follow current events. Luigi Mangione was arrested in December 2024 after the killing of Thompson, becoming an unexpected figure in internet culture. Social media immediately flooded with memes directly connecting the video game plumber character to Mangione’s name. The connection became so prolific that when someone yelled “Hey, Luigi, it’s-a-me, Mario!” at a Mangione court appearance, it seemed inevitable that a major celebrity would eventually acknowledge this cultural moment. Day’s willingness to make that reference shows comedians adapting to the current meme landscape and audience expectations.

The interview demonstrates a key principle of comedy that Day has mastered through years on “It’s Always Sunny”: when someone gives you the perfect setup, sometimes you have to take it, no matter how dark. The joke worked because Day delivered it with complete confidence and zero apology. That confidence is what transforms a risky comment into genuine comedy rather than just shock value.

Event Detail	Information
Interview Appearance	Tintoria Podcast, April 2, 2026
Promoted Film	The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Co-Panelists	Anya Taylor-Joy (Princess Peach), Keegan Michael Key
Reference Subject	Luigi Mangione, accused in UnitedHealthcare CEO case

“In recent American history?! Well, me, first of all. Number one. Luigi Mangione, number two.”

— Charlie Day, during Tintoria Podcast interview, April 2, 2026

Internet Backlash and Studio Reactions

The clip immediately went viral across social media platforms, sparking hundreds of headlines and thousands of social media shares. Universal Pictures and Nintendo executives are likely having mixed reactions to the moment. On one hand, the viral nature of the clip drives awareness and engagement around the film during its promotional period. The clip has been shared across Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky, reaching millions of viewers who are now talking about “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” On the other hand, the dark humor references a serious real-world case involving alleged murder, which creates PR complexity for family-friendly properties.

The moment also highlights how modern comedy operates differently within the digital age. Young audiences immediately recognize the cultural reference and appreciate Day’s willingness to acknowledge internet meme culture in a mainstream media context. The joke assumes viewers understand the Luigi Mangione memes that have circulated online since December, showing how celebrity comedy is now deeply intertwined with internet culture.

Is This the New Standard for Celebrity Comedy?

Comedy on talk shows and podcast appearances is evolving, and Charlie Day demonstrated how a comedian willing to take risks can create memorable moments that resonate far beyond the initial interview. Traditional media outlets might have expected Day to dodge the setup or deflect with a safer joke about Mario and Luigi gameplay mechanics. Instead, he leaned into the darkest possible interpretation and trusted his comedic instincts. Will other celebrities follow this approach, or was Day’s bold move a one-time instance of comedic courage that caught audiences by surprise? Time will tell if this signals a shift toward edgier celebrity humor or remains an outlier in mainstream promotional appearances.

Sources

• HuffPost Entertainment – Comprehensive breakdown of Charlie Day’s Luigi Mangione joke and viral moment during promotional interview
• Pajiba – Analysis of the joke’s comedic context within Day’s comedy style and current internet culture
• Tintoria Podcast – Original source of the April 2, 2026 interview appearance with Day and co-stars