Harry Potter’s books are entertaining enough on their own, without needing additional sources. Throughout the series, Harry often showcases his humor in interactions with both friends and foes, with his sarcastic exchanges with Snape being particularly unforgettable. Readers can chuckle at the awkward romantic moments that appear in the later stories. Nevertheless, there are many excellent comedic adaptations to appreciate, and I want to highlight three of them.
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Shakespeare Code (Doctor Who)
In 2005, David Tennant gained recognition in British entertainment by portraying Barty Crouch Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while also taking on the role of the Doctor in Doctor Who. During the third season of the "New Who," he took his companion Martha Jones back to Elizabethan England, where they encountered William Shakespeare. The plot included a twist with witches and references to Macbeth, leading to Martha’s witty observation that it felt reminiscent of Harry Potter. The line "Wait until I read Book Seven. Ah, I cried," humorously acknowledges the series, and the episode aired on April 7th, featuring a comedic moment where they dealt with witches using Expelliarmus. Bertie Crouch Jr. enthusiastically exclaimed, "Good old JK!" -
Potter Puppet Pals
Just a month before the Shakespeare Code debuted, Neil Cicierega released a video titled "Potter Puppet Pals: Mystical Noise," which became hugely popular on YouTube by 2013. Alan Rickman expressed his enjoyment of the video during the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, while Daniel Radcliffe mentioned wanting to see a live-action version. The puppet series offers a humorous take on the Harry Potter saga, depicting a version of Harry who prefers concert over Neville’s birthday party and pokes fun at Ron. The surreal plots—like a Hogwarts rock concert—add to the show’s charm. - A Very Potter Musical
This 2009 production by Starkid Productions parodies several Harry Potter themes and events, including the Triwizard Tournament and Quirrell’s possession, but adds unexpected humorous twists. For instance, Quirrell and the Dark Lord share a comically sweet relationship, while Harry’s incessant crush on Cho Chang highlights his awkwardness in contrast to Ginny. The University of Michigan is the only authorized venue for this production. Although Warner Bros. reportedly has connections to the musical through Team Starkid, they do not hold the rights to the Harry Potter characters, preventing other companies from staging the show. A sequel and a fourth installment of A Very Potter Musical were also created.
Other fan projects express similar content, and I’ll highlight them in the future. For now, enjoy a good laugh with "Granger’s Danger."
