When Bo Burnham released the first trailer for Inside back in April 2021, the internet didn't just react to the news of a new special. They reacted to the face. Gone was the clean-shaven, side-parted "Left Brain, Right Brain" kid from Make Happy. In his place stood a man who looked like he’d been living in a cave for a decade. The Bo Burnham long hair era had officially begun. It wasn't just a style choice; it was a ticking clock.
The Chronology of a Lockdown
People often ask if the hair was a prop. It wasn't. Bo spent roughly a year—from March 2020 to early 2021—filming alone in his guest house. If you watch Inside closely, the hair length acts as a secret timeline.
In the opening track "Content," he actually apologizes for it. "Sorry that I look like a mess / I booked a haircut but it got rescheduled," he sings. At that point, his hair is just starting to get shaggy. It’s that awkward middle phase we all went through during the first wave of lockdowns. But by the time he gets to "Welcome to the Internet," the transformation is complete. He’s got the full, unkempt mane and a beard that would make a Civil War general jealous.
Why the Hair Matters
The hair isn't just hair. It’s a visual representation of mental decay. Honestly, it’s one of the most effective uses of "show, don't tell" in modern comedy. You don't need Bo to tell you he's been in that room for months; you can see it in the split ends.
Fans on Reddit have actually gone through and mapped out the filming order based entirely on his hair length. It's wild. They found that:
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- Early Phase: Short and clean. This is when he filmed bits like the "Social Brand Consultant" skit.
- The Shag: The hair starts hitting the ears. Think "How the World Works."
- The Full Mane: The hair is past the shoulders. This is the "All Eyes on Me" era.
- The Rebirth: In the final song "Goodbye," he famously cuts between different versions of himself—some with the long hair and some with a cropped look—to show the passage of time and the fractured nature of his identity.
It Wasn't Just for the Cameras
There’s a misconception that Bo grew the hair specifically as a "costume" for the special. While it definitely served the narrative, reports and sightings from that era suggest he was just... living like that.
During the pandemic, Bo remained almost entirely out of the public eye. When he did appear on audio-only podcasts to promote Promising Young Woman, he didn't turn on his camera. Most people assume this was to keep the "reveal" of his new look a surprise for the Inside premiere.
The physical change was so jarring that some long-time fans didn't even recognize him at first. It moved him away from the "teen heartthrob" image he’d been trying to shake since his YouTube days and firmly into the "serious auteur" category.
The Symbolism of the Beard and Mane
In Inside, Bo plays with the idea of the "hermit" or the "mad scientist." The long hair reinforces the theme of being "trapped." It suggests a person who has stopped performing for the outside world because the outside world effectively ceased to exist.
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Ironically, by letting his hair grow out and looking "like a mess," he created his most iconic look to date. It became a meme. It became a Halloween costume. It became the definitive image of "Pandemic Bo."
"Self-awareness does not absolve anybody of anything." — Bo Burnham
This quote hits hard when you look at his appearance. He knows he looks crazy. He comments on it. But knowing you look crazy doesn't make you any less crazy when you're 300 days into a solo filming project.
What Happened After?
After The Inside Outtakes dropped in 2022, we got even more glimpses into the hair's journey. We saw him yawning, frustrated, and literally tripping over his own equipment. The long hair was constantly in his face, getting caught in his headset, and becoming a general nuisance.
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But since the world opened back up, Bo has largely returned to a more "managed" look. He didn't keep the waist-length hair forever. However, he hasn't gone back to the squeaky-clean look of 2016 either. He’s kept a bit of the "grown-up" edge—usually sporting a trimmed beard and a more relaxed, medium-length style.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're looking to understand the "Bo Burnham long hair" phenomenon or apply its lessons to your own work, keep these points in mind:
- Visual Continuity is Key: If you're filming a long-term project, use your physical appearance to tell the story of time passing. It's more authentic than any "Day 1" text overlay.
- Lean Into the Mess: Sometimes the most "unmarketable" version of yourself is the one people connect with most. Bo’s "messy" look was more relatable than his polished stage persona.
- The "Reveal" Matters: If you're planning a creative pivot, consider how your physical image reflects that change. Bo’s hair signaled to the audience that they weren't getting a "funny ha-ha" stand-up special—they were getting a psychological breakdown set to music.
The hair was a tool. It was a clock. It was a cry for help. And ultimately, it was the perfect costume for a man who wasn't wearing a costume at all.