Comedian, singer, and actor Jake Novak has made a shock return to TikTok after going radio silent for an entire year. Social media and video sharing app TikTok has created new stars and viral phenomenons. However, sometimes the people that become "TikTok famous" aren't exactly thrilled with the spotlight.
One such individual was Jake Novak, who was basically bullied off the social media platform after his videos went viral last year. On June 15, 2022, Novak uploaded a video where he sang about wanting to be the next Saturday Night Live cast member. The video exploded, generating over 193,000 likes and 8 million views. However, the video was the subject of much criticism from the TikTok community, with many calling it "cringey." It also drew attention to some of Novak's older videos, including one where he sang a song about gun violence that earned similar mockery from TikTok users.
Novak's comment sections were flooded with troll comments and his videos were made fun of by countless TikTok users in their own videos. Novak disappeared, and when he stopped uploading videos or engaging with his audience, opinion on his work seemed to turn around. Videos started being made that painted Novak in a positive light, with users expressing regret about how the TikTok community treated Novak. Now, exactly one year since his infamous Saturday Night Live video, Jake Novak has made a shock return to the social media platform that made him famous.
On the morning of June 15, 2023, Novak uploaded a video to TikTok with the description, "I have something I want to say to you." The video starts with Novak acting as though he is talking directly to the viewer, referencing the negative comments by saying, "It's been a weird year. It's been a hard year. You made very clear that you didn't want to hear from me anymore. Or for me to even exist." It turns out that this preamble is set-up for a bit about Novak working as a telemarketer trying to reach a customer about their car's extended warranty.
While Novak tries to sell the customer on extending their car's warranty, the camera pans back to reveal a desk covered with junk food like Oreos, chips, energy drinks, and what appear to be alcohol and pill bottles.
So far, reaction to Jake Novak's return to TikTok has been overwhelmingly positive. Nearly all the comments are welcoming the self-described "cringe king" back to the platform, and it will be interesting to see if he is able to capitalize on his TikTok fame.