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Entertainment • Comedy Group

Please Don't Destroy

Please Don't Destroy is an American comedy trio based in New York City.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Please Don't Destroy is an American comedy trio based in New York City. The group consists of Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy, and is known for sketch comedy videos and work on Saturday Night Live.

History

Please Don't Destroy began in 2017 as a sketch-comedy act formed by Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy while they were students at New York University. The group's name was shortened from Please Don't Destroy My Farm.

Career

The trio built an audience through short online sketches and live comedy shows before joining Saturday Night Live in 2021. Their segments on the show helped make them widely known.

Style and output

Please Don't Destroy is known for sketch comedy that often uses absurd, self-referential, and off-colour humour. Their output includes internet shorts, live performances, and televised digital videos.

Reception and influence

The group has been described as a successor of sorts to The Lonely Island because of its mix of internet videos and Saturday Night Live digital shorts. Their clips have circulated widely on social media and helped establish their profile.

Key facts

  • Please Don't Destroy was founded in 2017 while its members were students at New York University.
  • The trio's name comes from an earlier act titled Please Don't Destroy My Farm.
  • They gained wider attention through online sketch videos shared on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and X.
  • In 2021, the group joined Saturday Night Live as writers producing prerecorded digital videos.
  • Their work includes live performances and touring outside of television.

Frequently asked questions

Who are the members of Please Don't Destroy?
The trio consists of Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy.
When was Please Don't Destroy formed?
The group was founded in 2017.
Where did Please Don't Destroy start?
The group began in New York City while the members were students at New York University.
What is Please Don't Destroy known for?
It is known for sketch-comedy videos, live performances, and digital shorts on Saturday Night Live.
What does the name Please Don't Destroy refer to?
The name was shortened from an earlier act called Please Don't Destroy My Farm.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Please_Don't_Destroy
    Supports: Members, founding year, origin, and general description of the comedy group.
  2. Please Don't Destroy — https://www.pleasedontdestroy.com/
    Supports: Official trio lineup and branding.
  3. NBC — https://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/guests/please-dont-destroy/a756adf42509ae83ff9bd58b989ac09224bd4f44
    Supports: Founded in 2017, online sketch output, and Saturday Night Live writing debut.
  4. NBC — https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/please-dont-destroy-tiktok-youtube-sketches-pre-snl
    Supports: Origins at NYU, early social-media sketches, and naming history.
  5. Nashville Scene — https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/comedy/talking-touring-and-snl-with-please-dont-destroy/article_cea01756-2298-11ee-914b-37ad964c9711.html
    Supports: Live performances, NYU origins, and early viral success during the pandemic.