Internet Nostalgia

Let’s Revisit “David After Dentist”

In 2021, the kid would probably just film himself.

Welcome to part 25 of our Internet Nostalgia series, which looks back at phenomena that captured the internet’s imagination and attention for a fleeting moment and then vanished as everyone moved on to something else. This series looks back at those olden times and what they told us about the internet and ourselves. If you have a suggested topic, email me at williamfleitch@yahoo.com. Last week: Diamond Joe Biden. This week: David After Dentist.

When: May 2008, January 30, 2009

The story: Seven-year-old David Devore Jr. needed a tooth pulled, which meant he needed anesthesia. When you’re seven years old, you’re not quite sure what it means to need anesthesia, or what it might temporarily do to your brain. The world is already pretty confusing at seven. Imagine how bewildering the aftereffects of anesthesia might feel.

Young David Devore Jr. didn’t have to imagine it. And, to his fortune/misfortune, his dad was there filming him. And thus: David After Dentist.

It is worth noting that David’s dad, David Devore Sr., wasn’t filming his kid just to put it on YouTube and show it to the world. His wife was away, so he was filming his son so he could send the video to her and let her know how the dentist appointment went. It wasn’t for another seven months that he uploaded it to YouTube, forgetting to label it as “private.” Soon, people found it. And, uh, well, let’s just say they recognized part of their adult selves in it. We’ve all been there, David Jr.

Pop Culture Crossover: Devore Sr. made perhaps the foolish decision to go on “The O’Reilly Factor” to discuss the video. I know that Tucker Carlson is very bad but it is probably also OK to say that there aren’t many people who miss the nuance and wit of “The O’Reilly Factor.”