Paul O'Brien

Daniel O'Brien, also known as "DOB", is an American humorist, author, and writer born on January 6, 1986. He gained significant recognition for his work with Cracked.com, where he served as a senior writer and editor starting in 2007. During his decade with the website, he authored over 200 articles that garnered millions of views, covering a wide array of topics from politics to pop culture. O'Brien often adopted a persona of a socially awkward pop culture enthusiast, frequently discussing his fondness for fictional characters like Spider-Man.

O'Brien was also a prominent figure in Cracked's web series, including "Agents of Cracked" and "Cracked After Hours," which he co-wrote, produced, and acted in. His writing for Cracked often explored unconventional or humorous takes on various subjects. In 2018, O'Brien transitioned to television, joining HBO's "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" as a staff writer, and has since been promoted to senior writer. His contributions to the show have earned him multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing on a Variety Series.

Daniel O'Brien began his tenure at Cracked.com in 2007, quickly establishing himself as a senior writer and editor. Over the course of ten years, he penned more than 200 articles for the platform, accumulating over 50 million views. His contributions were often characterized by a blend of humor and insightful commentary on topics ranging from politics to popular culture. O'Brien developed a distinct writing style that frequently involved a self-aware, persona-driven approach, portraying himself as an enthusiastic but socially awkward fan of various media, particularly comic book characters like Spider-Man. This persona was evident in articles that explored fictional universes with a unique and often satirical lens, delving into hypothetical scenarios and critical analyses of beloved characters and franchises.

Following his departure from Cracked.com in late 2017, Daniel O'Brien's career took a significant turn towards television. In August 2018, he joined the staff of HBO's "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," a program known for its incisive political satire. He currently holds the position of senior writer for the show. O'Brien's work on "Last Week Tonight" has been highly acclaimed, leading to his involvement in a writing team that has secured seven Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing on a Variety Series between 2019 and 2025. In addition to his television work, O'Brien has also co-hosted a podcast, "Quick Question With Soren And Daniel," with fellow former Cracked writer Soren Bowie, discussing a variety of topics.

Daniel O'Brien's writing extends beyond online articles and television scripts. In 2014, he published the book "How to Fight Presidents: Defending Yourself Against the Badasses Who Ran This Country." This work, illustrated by Winston Rowntree, offers a humorous and speculative examination of U.S. presidents, analyzing their perceived strengths and weaknesses, often with a satirical bent. O'Brien also contributed as a writer and editor to "You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News," a New York Times bestselling book associated with Cracked. His early creative endeavors included an unpublished online novel titled "Bartender," inspired by his college job.