YouTube Review ... watch this.

Stalking True Love trailer

2009-08-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin Quits! Auto-Tune the News #6

2009-07-31T15:52:00.000-07:00

A very intelligent and watchable AutoTune video by barelypolitical. Brilliant.

Parody of NoHoGirls "Indecent Proposal"

2009-07-31T14:52:00.000-07:00

Watch all communitychannel videos Here

This video is in response to a NoHogirls video.

I know, i know. I can't do accents to save my life. I do apologise to all Americans about my accent. Blue, you're a tool and a disgrace to other females. The writers of NoHogirls are really under-estimating YouTubers.

Blow me (Re:Re:Parody of NohoGirls Indecent Proposal"

2009-07-31T14:38:00.000-07:00

Watch all communitychannel videos Here

This was the nicest response i could possibly do. It's not very good but i had a huge exam today and am really too tired to deal with idiots who believe everything an ACTRESS tells them.

The above video wass in response to this idiotic video, an inept attempt at slamming Natalie's parody. But this foolish video makes 'Blue' look even more stupid than she already did.

How does that saying go? ... "I would rather people think I'm a fool than to open my mouth and remove all doubt."

'Blue' should never have opened her mouth.

Shoe is firmly in now.

Walk the Line - the movie in 1:30 seconds

2009-07-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

Watch all communitychannel videos Here

This is my version of Walk The Line. Sorry there's like 30 seconds straight of me singing ... I really liked that song.

Mmm Milo! Mix this in your milk and drink it!

2009-07-31T09:46:00.000-07:00

Watch all communitychannel videos Here

ok mommyd23 you've hurt me by suggesting that milo only "clumped" because i put too much in! WHy that's the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard so that's it= THE MILO GAME IS ON!

Quiz, by CommunityChannel

2009-07-30T23:12:00.000-07:00

First video by CommunityChannel

More videos by communitychannel.

Father's Day & Telling it all 51

2007-06-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

Watch the video here - Telling it all 51

In these videos by 80-year-old geriatric1927 we once again get to listen to stories about his childhood. And the specific subject matter is fathers, and in his case, grandfathers.

But Peter -- geriatric1927 -- presents some philosophy on families, his ideas on independence within families, and he gives a loving tribute to his father with some lovely, detailed descriptions of his good times during childhood spent with his dad, a hard-working adventurous man who was willing to try most anything.

As always in his blog postings, Peter paints a really nice picture of his own personal history and about his father and who the man was -- and he sprinkles in some general history. Again, we're not only entertained with Peter's stories but we learn a little world history too.

If one is to relate seemingly banal information on one's family background and historical stories in a fairly plain, narrative form, you risk boring your audience. But Peter always makes history come alive. He always has something very interesting to impart to his (now huge) worldwide audience and always with detailed facts and anecdotes in a voice that makes you want to tune him in and tune out all your other ambient noise.

(Speaking of ambient noise, geriatric1927's videos have picked up an annoying high pitched background noise. Ouch! It is the video. Do not adjust your set.)

High Voltage Cable Inspection

2007-06-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Watch the video here - "High Wire - High Voltage Cable Inspection"

An amazing clip from a 2002 documentary IMAX movie entitled "Straight Up", posted by simonjz05, which follows a high-wire utility worker as he is transported by helicopter which delicately places him on high wires so he can do repairs and inspections. The live power cables carry more than half a million volts.

Don't try this at home. By wearing a suit made of fire retardant material and stainless steel threading, this creates a 'Faraday Cage', then connecting a metal wire to the helicopter in flight -- which brings the helicopter up to the same voltage potential as the line -- the electric current arcs over and around them in their "cage" and the workers are protected from certain electrocution.

"A half a million volts pass around my body but I can work without interference from electricity," he says in the video. "There's such a hunger for electricity these days, nobody wants to take lines out of service to maintain them."

The scenery is beautiful (no indication of where this was shot), the heights staggering and the narrator's last words add some ironic humor as describes how he overcame his biggest fears in life: electricity, heights and women.

Affirmation Girl

2007-06-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

View the video here, and all videos by LisaNova

I'm not a trained therapist, but I'm good enough and I'm smart enough, and Gosh Darn it, my readers like me, so I'm gonna write a really really good review this time.

With apologies to Stuart Smalley, we always appreciate Lisa Nova's take on life and on the behavior of some of our odd friends and family members out there. We enjoy how she pokes fun at them with her serious way and with her tongue firmly in cheek. ("I do not need to vomit to feel good about myself today."

LisaNova has got a knack for making her points clear in her acting and very dry humor without ever having to push it in our face. Just enough so that we recognize her portrayals of the people we've all known -- and perhaps wish we didn't. If all it took was wishing it true then Donald Trump wouldn't need a massive comb-over and my Ferrari wouldn't look like Volkswagen.

Maybe these people aren't in any 12-step programs, but perhaps they should be. LisaNova captures the odd peeps who are creeping along that line between being way too sincere for their own good and being a tad insane. She takes it to the edge and most of the time steps over, then finds herself and comes back. Whew.. "We lost ya there for a minute Lisa. Now wipe that cake off your face and get back to work."

Yes, we've known people like this. Actually, I think we've seen them in the mirror.

If you're like me you see yourself in Lisa's characters. "I'm gonna stick to my diet and lose weight and and ... as long as there's no cakes or cookies in the house ... or in the coffee shop where I buy my coffee ... or anywhere within eyesight on my daily routine." Come on now, who among us hasn't eaten an entire cake in one sitting -- or standing over the sink -- because "this is the last of the sweets, really, no seriously, and tomorrow the diet starts in earnest. Seriously."?

Are there any 12-step programs to help one stop giving oneself affirmations? I know there must be, and if there are, I can join it and be successful and stop my constant affirmations. Yes I can, I know I can. I can and I will. OK, enough about me. On with the show.

Battle on Haifa Street in Baghdad, Iraq

2007-06-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

Video the video here, and all videos by MNFIRAQ

Standing in a gray room with walls pocked with bullet holes, a quartet of U.S. Army soldiers trade fire with an unseen enemy perched off-screen.

"You've just got to aim a little bit higher, kid," one soldier coaches another firing what appears to be a grenade launcher at a building several blocks away.

"Whew, that smells good," the first soldier says.

The movie, "Battle on Haifa Street, Baghdad, Iraq," conjures comparisons to war films from "Apocalypse Now" to "Full Metal Jacket," but this grainy, jumpy short is not fiction. It is combat footage posted for the world to see by the military on YouTube.

It's one of dozens that the Army has put on the Internet since March in an effort to tell its side of the story about an increasingly controversial war in Iraq. Judging by the numbers -- the Haifa Street video has been viewed more than a half million times -- the Army has been successful in luring eyes to its story.

Clifton, N.J. firefighter Chris Struening spent more than a year in Iraq serving as a military policeman when his National Guard unit was called to active duty in 2004. He said Tuesday that he liked that the YouTube videos portrayed more positive stories -- like injured civilians being helped by American doctors -- about the war effort. The mainstream media, he believes, doesn't spend enough time on such stories.

He said he thought the combat footage was accurate and showed enough to whet the appetite of a public weaned on Hollywood action movies without crossing a line prohibiting graphic violence. To be credible, the military has to show some of the fighting that its troops face in Iraq, he said.

"It's not like the military can say 'Everything's fine and dandy over there.' The American public, they're not stupid," Struening said. "They know what goes on. What better way to do it than have the military release choice footage? Something that maybe doesn't show as much, but shows just enough to satisfy the public's curiosity."

Anti-war activist Madelyn Hoffman, director of the Montclair-based New Jersey Peace Action, said she found the combat videos offensive and disturbing. But she said that the graphic violence confirmed her beliefs about the horrors of war.

"In some ways, seeing the actual footage of what's going on is better than what we get on national media. At least you see it without censorship," Hoffman said. "At least people are seeing the reality of it. It is my feeling that if more people saw the reality of it, more people would understand how violent and brutal it is and how much at risk our soldiers are. Footage like this, you can't watch it for very long. I can't watch it for very long."

She said she worried that such videos might attract young people to U.S. armed forces facing wartime recruiting shortfalls.

"It's like a glorified video game. Here you are, you can root for your team," she said. "When they succeed, you can cheer and maybe a year or two from now, you can enlist and become part of that team."

Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, whose combined press information center in Baghdad launched the YouTube channel, said in a telephone interview Tuesday that recruiting was never part of the considerations behind it.

From the military's perspective, the benefit of posting videos to the Web directly is that it can bypass a skeptical and increasingly war-weary mass media to publicize the positive stories it considers overlooked. In one video, soldiers give gifts to Iraqi Boy Scouts.

"(On YouTube) you're not showing the carnage of the devastation of the car bombs of the day," Garver said.

"I don't need to, that's on every TV channel. That story is getting out. I don't feel a need to tell that story. Some of the other stuff is not getting out on its own."

Story by Tom Meagher, The Herald News. Originally published in North Jersey.com

THE PINK SCARE

2007-05-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

All videos and reviews for behnfannin

Love parodies? Secretly love politically-incorrect humor? You'll enjoy this humorous satire of 1960's-era educational films. Using the actual film but with quite a different narration. Obviously the blatantly homophobic message is politically-incorrect today, so blatant that anyone should get a laugh from this one.

The actual film scenes with updated (and hilarious) voice-overs give it appeal to anyone, especially when it's done in such tongue-in-cheek humor. "Here we see how the gay cells enter the bloodstream ... flamboyantly. And spruce up those white blood cells. 'Sorry fellas it's after Labor Day.' But heterosexual science marches on."

The voice-over and the dialogue mimics the stilted 60's language and it's sewn in perfectly with each scene. Funny stuff!

Telling it all -- Letter From England

2007-05-25T15:29:00.000-07:00

All videos and reviews for geriatric1927

Wouldn't it be great to have the ability to hear (only) your grandparents' really interesting and most meaningful stories? Start it or pause it with a click of your mouse? And you could revisit, or not, any time you wanted? Yes? You'll wanna watch this then.

If you remember Alistair Cooke and his BBC Radio America program, "Letter From America", than this is your own "Grandpa's Letter From England" ... well, not your actual grandpa, but I'm thinking you'll want this one as your adopted grandfather.

Peter, a 79-year-old widower, living alone in the English countryside, had just hoped to provide thoughtful answers and wisdom to the YouTube community but it soon turned into regular and meaningful fireside chats, weaving his interesting stories with details of English history and his personal thoughts and memories.

This is part oral history and part grandfatherly story time. It's easy to see why his audience is growing by the hundreds every day. His soothing British accented voice and detailed chats leave you wanting more after each short segment. Tell us more grandfather! More! This grandfather, unlike the grandpa you knew, only talks in concise 6-minute blocks.

In his initial video he speaks to the younger generation, saying that he'll be here "to bitch and grumble about life in general from the perspective of an old person who's been there and done that."

But he quickly narrows his subject area to his own background with his series "Telling It Like It Is". Following the axiom that the best speeches or stories are always the ones we know best, from personal experience, Peter gives his recollections of his life from childhood on.

He starts out with his early education with historical insights. Each video story time begins ("Hello YouTubers") right where the last one left us. And in the style of Alistair Cooke, he signs off with, "Goodbye and thank you for listening."

We'll be listening. And watching for more.

The Secrets of Contented World Comedy

2007-05-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

All videos and reviews for ContentedWorld

A terrific parody on "The Secret" book and movie (the idea about believing in something to make it come to pass, and Karma: that which you think about most will determine your destiny).

ContentedWorld's Aaron Haber pulls this off with great humor and just the right amount of special effects. Meghan Hanley overplays her part a wee bit, or maybe it was her ill-placed "Um" that throws off the timing ("...Um, I'm imaging you unable to...").

But overall this piece is near perfect because it gets to the point and is concise. Where many sketch comedy videos run on way too long after the joke has run its course, these guys nail it and close. All the music (perfectly done!) and sound effects are solid. Overall, Brilliant.

And in "Aaron is Totally Gay!" (not that there's anything wrong with that) he vents about the homophobic NBC executives.

That's why they won't hire him, right? Because he's gay. Uh, yeah, sure. Just ask his roommate and breast friend. His guilty smile at the end sends this one, from a hearty chuckle, to the realm of laugh-out-loud funny. Great stuff.

Smoshed

2007-05-04T16:14:00.000-07:00

All videos and reviews for happyslip

Christine and her infinite patience trying to explain the YouChoob Comedy Awards to her clueless parents. Aye ... Heavy sigh!

Peelings ... Nothing More Than Peelings

2007-05-04T16:08:00.000-07:00

All videos and reviews for happyslip

Family ... they never get it. So really, what's the use in talking to them?

Christine (HappySlip) the woman of a thousand faces and voices always brings the subtle and, well, in your face, but unintentional humor that family visits always bring.

Swimming!

2007-04-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

All videos and reviews for lonelygirl15

Down to the river.

Waking Up Dead - The Movie

2007-01-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

From YouTube user: onerav05

Short Title Sequence For The Movie

It ain't pretty, but that's the point.

Edited from hundreds of hours of footage filmed over the course of several years, Waking Up Dead is a dark, compelling documentary that contrasts the allure of rock and roll glamour with the perspective of reality. The 90-minute film features drummer Phil Varone and an uninhibited lifestyle that is sometimes amusing, but more often painful to watch through the hurt eyes of his family and friends.

Varone first achieved rock and roll celebrity during the early '90s with Saigon Kick who had a Top Ten hit single, Love Is On The Way, In 2000, he joined Skid Row during a nine month arena tour opening for KISS, ultimately leaving that band four years later to reconcile the conflicts of his life and health.

Although the film addresses different facets of his sex and rock-and-roll misadventures, the drug aspect of that lifestyle presents by far the most uncomfortable scenes of the film. Phil himself is remarkably candid about that addiction.

How do you help someone whose life is spiraling out of control? Make a movie, and make him come face to face with his own demons.

A scene from a talk show;
very revealing about Varone's life and times.

(This is not from the movie)

For four years, Emmy Award-winning journalist and filmmaker, Fabio Jafet, documented the seedy underworld of the music business through the eyes of friend, Phil Varone. Jafet reveals what really goes on behind the scenes in a way never captured before on camera. WAKING UP DEAD uncovers the addictions, betrayals and pitfalls on the relentless road to rock stardom.

Everyone has wished for a shot at fame, fortune and a chance to have it all. But beware of what you wish for ... because nothing comes easy and there's always a price to pay.

LisaNova is a B!%@H!!!

2007-01-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for LisaNova

Like one of your funny friends who always has something witty to say about current events or has biting comments about stupid or mean people, LisaNova's sarcastic take on the world is always funny and interesting and perhaps from out of left field. But she'd be boring if she was predictable, right?

LisaNova is never predictable.

We're one of LisaNova's almost 15,000 YouTube subscribers and always anticipating what she'll produce next.

The extremely photogenic and likable LisaNova has a small team of LA-area actor friends who assist her in pulling off her very funny sketches and poking fun with richly played irony.

Like the video in which she takes on Rush Limbaugh's Attacks on Michael J. Fox. And the one urging us to be more patient in Don't Be a Douche Bag. Unfortunately the funniest part of that sketch doesn't come until minute 5:05. Good stuff just the same because we get to watch Lisa be Lisa. We like you Lisa and everything you stand for, now please, put the gun down.

If only her videos were shorter or edited more concisely. We usually get the humor very early on but the jokes seem to go on a few bits too long. We get it and we're ready to move on. But funny nonetheless. And perhaps that's all just nitpicking anyway when there's plenty of professionally-produced and pro comic videos on YouTube there are laughably unfunny and huge time-wasters.

LisaNova's intelligent, dry blend of mimicry mocks everything from current events and celebrities to other YouTube video bloggers begging to be mocked (LittleLoca) and always strikes the right tone with her vast following. Her fans tune in to view her videos by the millions and offer up both their own humorous video responses and reams of written comments, both of the fan mail variety ("you truly are the queen of YouTube! Please keep up the fantastic work." "marry me Lisa." "fucking great!") and the clueless ("your hair looks stupid." "...and the purpose of this video is???")

Unfortunately some of her fans don't seem to get her dry, ironic humor and apparently think her camera just happened to be there to catch her in a very cute but awkward moment. Like the time she wanted to give a homeless man a dollar in Roses For Lisa Nova but instead she ends up asking other strangers for money. Very funny stuff. But that's OK because they can watch it again and again and eventually get her nuisanced humor mixed with the cutesy Anna Faris ('Scary Movie') voice. We got it Lisa. And we enjoyed it.

We get you Lisa. And we're glad we found you on YouTube. Your videos are better than most of the crap on my tube in the living room any day or night.

Buncha Cunch

2006-12-31T18:14:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for invisibleengine

The Invisible Engine guys may just be the most inconsistent of the talented video-comedy teams out there. Some of their videos leave us scratching our heads, others seem to have been made for a small audience of insiders in on their joke.

This one is a cute parody of a TV commercial for a breakfast cereal. But luckily the joke can be understood universally. Too bad it flops badly at the end with a completely meaningless ending.

Since the humor in both the original TV commercial and in this video is that negative things don't seem to happen to this guy because he never hears them, shouldn't the shooter have shot (at) our happily chewing friend before joining him? The he joins him with some of that great crunchy cereal when his rifle of no use on him, or something of the like? ... Just a thought.

Enjoy the video and it's dark humor. But beware of the violent, bloody scenes).

Swing Blade - Parody Mixing Swingers with Sling Blade

2006-12-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for ButterTV

If you liked "Swingers" or "Sling Blade" you're gonna love this. mmmmm huhh. Chris Cox nails Billy Bob Thornton's bowl-cut, overall-wearing, lovable demented 'Karl' to a tee. Unfortunately none of the other actors in this spoof look anything like any of the characters in the original "Swingers". But all the dialogue is very funny.

Too bad only some of his ButterTV's other videos are this funny, particularly his George Bush impressions. They sound like him OK, but Little Bush is silly enough on his own, so when you quote him verbatim it's just kinda lame, like yeah, OK, so what's the punch line dude?. He should add some exaggerations or satire and lambasting irony to his Bush impressions. Chris should take notes from his own "Swing Blade" video.

First For Women Car Insurance

2006-12-31T09:32:00.000-08:00

See more from this YouTube.com user: granolasoos

'Laughter is always best when laughed last' the saying goes. It's used in a twist in this darkly humorous auto insurance TV commercial. You'll like it (whether you're a man or a woman). I'm glad this was posted online otherwise we'd never see this in the U.S. Unfortunately the FCC is much too conservative to go to allow this type of edgy ad. That's why I loved this video.

Hyundai - French TV

I believe European TV commercials are consistently funnier, edgier, and are more inventive that American-made spots, basically because they can. The FCC fears the slightest chance of offending anyone in the prudish U.S. TV viewing audience, so they have to play it as conservatively as possible. In turn, U.S. ad agencies play it safe and hardly ever push that line. Boring.

(And yes, I grew up and live in the ultra-conservative U.S.)

Anyway, enough philosophizing. Enjoy this one from France in which we watch what happens when a husband and wife meet each other while driving, in separate cars, during a chance meeting at a red light.

Copernicus

2006-12-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for invisibleengine

Wow. This video by the group of incomparable lunatics who call themselves Invisibleengine (Invisible Engine Films) is pure and utter madness.

I believe it was the good literary Captain of the YouTube-Review staff who once wrote that “YouTube is a breeding ground for crap” -- but I’m not sure if there is an appropriate genus or species that appropriately coincides with the load of new-found elephant turd these men have shamelessly spawned through the guise of a “production company” ... The truly sad part about this whole viewing experience is that I actually googled Copernicus’ heliocentric theory in order to have a solid grasp of the idea before getting involved with this video.

Unfortunately for me, my time proved completely and utterly wasted... Incidentally, I was surprised to find out this video - and its producers have developed something of a cult following recently. But was then I was not so flabbergasted to learn that this “cult” is largely populated by severely retarded apes, computer-literate and library card-wielding hobos, mad hatter impersonators, and the producers themselves. So if you’re really, really bored—and really really stoned, go ahead and have a look at this clip.

But if you’ve got tax forms to fill out or are in dire need of a root canal, I’d suggest you not let this video interfere with getting those taken care of ASAP.

Kathy's Call

2006-12-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for behnfannin

Well, back from the holidays and more Behnfannin videos to watch. Yipee!!!

This is a mildly clever conversion piece in the vein of that classically overdone box office snoozer, Crash, in which a series of seemingly unrelated characters go about their own personal business before ultimately crossing each other’s paths to mild dramatic affect.

In Kathy’s Call (the uninspiringly simple title of this complex head-scratcher) a series of phone calls from a series of randomly connected people lead them smack-dab into the belly of an adulterous liaison between a married woman (Kathy) and her newfound needle-point assistant.

Thread the needle!

Project Runway - Olde English comedy

2006-12-29T12:21:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for aconover

So this is it. We started with several video designers and now there is only this one left... Raisin?

If you're even slightly familiar with the BRAVO TV reality show, "Project Runway" you'll love this parody done with actual video from the show spliced in a comic from the Olde English comedy team. Fantistic editing and straight, tongue-in-cheek acting. The selection of the just the right audio and video clips make this one of my favorites. I wonder if Heidi Klum has seen this.

Olde English sketch comedy videos are all very funny and always have with a little twist.

Read our longer, more comprehensive review on Olde English comedy.

Help Wanted

2006-12-29T10:20:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for DCLugi

For anyone who has worked in human resources, this one will bring back bitter memories of sitting through interviews with people who were never going to be hired by your firm.

As usual DClugi (Dave Coyne) is the man of a thousand voices and faces. The sound editing is perfect as the different voices are over-dubbed flawlessly, which makes the different characters even more distinct and real and it gives the video that professional authenticity.

Regarding sound, unfortunately the sound on this one fails to properly sync with the video. And the longer the video plays the more distracting it becomes. By one-third through the video it's pretty annoying. Not sure if this from the uploading process or a product of the sound editing (which I initially complimented). Too bad because Coyne's videos are otherwise very inventive and entertaining.

New York State of Mind

2006-12-29T06:39:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

She's called "The Resident" -- from her videos you don't know much about her, other than the fact that she's a clever and cynical New Yorker with an uncanny knack of honing in on subjects that find every NYC resident stumped. It takes one to know one: as one fellow New Yorker to another, The Resident's features show topics that are consistently hilarious and incredibly entertaining!

Our very amiable producer and host is Lori Harfenist. Before bringing her interview shows to the Internet she originally created the videos for her cable-access TV show by the same name: The Resident. The shows have run in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and, of all places, Burlington, Vermont.

The Resident introduces itself as "Your much needed weekly dose of counter culture, and "The talk show that talks back." That hooked me. And with the high quality and nice variety of her videos we're surprised she doesn't have more subscribers on YouTube. Perhaps the YouTube generation's short attention span.

The Resident does have somewhat of a cult following from her cable show, YouTube and MySpace viewers. And she regularly receives a lot of feedback from her regular viewers who express their very frank and, uh, alternative viewpoints, on her and her segments.

The video above is "The Year in Review- short version"- the full version is a full half-hour, which I just didn't have the patience for, but my abridged version gets the point across: our ever-entertaining reporter interviews people about their "accomplishments" (and I use that term loosely) in 2006, and their goals for 2007, with the backdrop of the infamous, ridiculously overcrowded lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center.

The Resident: Episode One (19:12)

There are several things that make The Resident videos stand out: other than outstanding recording quality, Lori Harfenist has a great interview style and she never misses a beat. Her bright smile and perky personality seem to make every one of her unsuspecting interviewees more than amenable to any kind of light-hearted teasing she throws their way ... and everyone gladly plays along, which consistently makes for an interesting show.

NYC Apartment Life

The only real downside (which was unique to the video above) was the "2nd interviewer," who I thought way over-played his "crotchety old man" shtick. It takes more than a loud, strange man to shock a New Yorker, or to provide entertaining reality TV. Remember: us New Yorkers deal with things like public urination, vibrant cross-dressers and B-list celebrities every day of our lives. We're used to it.

My advice for The Resident shows: stick to the up-front interview style you have going on with the young, charismatic Lori Harfenist, and you've got a sure-fire hit.

K-Fed at Webster Hall

I admit that once I started watching The Resident, I was hooked! Perhaps it's because I'm also an embittered New Yorker who is boggled by the absurdity of urban living that surrounds me 24/7, but all the topics really struck a chord.

Other episodes I highly recommend: - How much bang for your buck (yes, that is supposed to be ironic) do you get in your teeny, tiny NYC apartment?

- Exciting, LIVE coverage of the K-Fed Webster Hall concert.

Blanket Markets

- An experiment in the streets of NY: Will people really buy useless crap off a dirty blanket from an anonymous stranger in the City? (short answer: a resounding yes ... though, as you'll see, location really does matter).

For more information about the show itself, be sure to check out their official website too: www.theresident.net.

Weird Al Yankovic - The Saga Begins

2006-12-28T23:32:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for Lanooz

Wow. Weird Al really put some time into this one. The voice sounds very close to Don McLean's. And the words and music ... seriously impressive. Read the first verse:

A long, long time ago
In a galaxy far away
Naboo was under an attack
And I thought me and Qui-Gon Jinn
Could talk the federation into
Maybe cutting them a little slack
But their response, it didn't thrill us
They locked the doors and tried to kill us ...

We escaped from that gas
Then met Jar Jar and Boss Nass
We took a bongo from the scene
And we went to Theed to see the Queen
We all wound up on Tatooine
That's where we found this boy...

Enjoy.

Re: Star Trekkin

2006-12-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for IRTheBorg

Fred Flintstone meets Star Trek TOS, with a cameo appearance by R2D2. This video is hysterical. The video is written by The Firm and Jim Jenkins, and they made a musical out of all the standard Star Trek dialogue.

"It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim." "It's life, Jim, but not as we know it." "There's Klingons on the starboard bow." And, of course, "Ye canna do that, Captain."

This little musical is populated by Flintstone versions of the Star Trek cast, dino-Klingons, alien life forms and dead red shirts.

If you like Star Trek, you'll enjoy it. If you hate Star Trek, you'll laugh yourself silly. Either way, it's a great video.

Music Video--Isn't It Ironic--NOW IT IS

2006-12-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for JackDanyells

This excellent music video, is a spoof on Alanis Morissette's, "Ironic." I like the movement in the background video, and the characters. The Marlboro Man, The Orkin Man and Ray Charles (including sightless sight gags)are all quite ironic, indeed.

The producer, JackDanyells, has written an ironically funny spoof, and he has done a beautiful job of capturing the ironic lyrics, like "a dead end sign next to a fresh grave," in video.

Starbucks Yawning Commercial

2006-12-28T19:24:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for vinylboy20

Turnpike films created this fake -- but very good -- ad for Starbucks. Starbucks should pay them for it. Yawning is catching, and this busload of guys makes an art form out of it. The yawns get deeper, more desperate and grosser sounding, and then, suddenly, everyone has a Starbucks, and it's all good.

It's a great commercial not only for the advertising message, but because after you watch it you need a cup of coffee. Where is the nearest Starbucks, anyway?

Betty Butterfield - Commodes

2006-12-28T11:44:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for Betty Butterfield

This is odd, weird ... and very funny stuff.

Poor Betty has issues. You know her. There's one in every neighborhood. One in every apartment building.

She's that very large, very odd woman who lives downstairs from you, the one with all the cats and who's always home, always peeking out her window at whatever is going on on the sidewalk outside the building, any time of the night or day ... The one who always wants to gab about the latest tragedy or mess. There's always something with Betty, so don't get her started because she's got opinions.

Sit back and watch Betty go off, this time on the tragic incident regarding her neighbor who died on the toilet, or as she calls it, the commode. I haven't heard that word since my second grade teacher used the term back in the early '70's.

We're researching more info on who ChrisCanary is and how he started producing the very funny "Betty Butterfield" videos, and who is the drag queen that is Betty. We plan to write a much more thorough review on ChrisCanary later, when we have interviewed him or get more substantial intel, because these videos are so very quirky.

Until we do a longer review on them, enjoy this initial Betty video and look for more coming soon to this site.

TIMMY and the little cars

2006-12-28T09:18:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for TheResidents

Little Timmy's version of Driver's Education goes something like this: Charlie the chipmunk eats peanuts, and at school they watch teenagers pull toy cars with strings, they hold the little cars, and then they are allowed to drive pedal cars. So they don't get in an accident like the one-legged man.

If you like stream-of-consciousness randomness, the TIMMY videos by TheResidents are for you. These guys are masters at finding and pulling odd but funny random scenes from old films and making up twisted, hilarious stories to go with them. Very weird and very funny.

LisaNova takes the Bus

2006-12-28T05:39:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for LisaNova

Living in Los Angeles, you either have a car, or you go nowhere. At least that’s what most of us think. We forget that though public transportation here is horribly inefficient, we sometimes miss out by being stuck in our little bubbles driving down Sunset or on the 405. We miss out on the people and the culture of big city life.

The interaction of diverse lives is what makes a metropolis so wonderful to live in and LisaNova’s little trip reminds us of just that.

I'm confused at Lisa's editing choices sometimes. In this case, I didn't understand why she began the video with nothing to say really, then she finally gets to her subject matter at hand.

I thought maybe she was going somewhere humorous with it, but then there was jump cut and she was back to reality. It seems odd that all that wasn't just edited out.

That said, LisaNova has the gift of being interesting and entertaining to watch, period.

Randy Newman: I Love LA

YouTube.com user: cqz4oooo

Even if she is just sitting in front of the camera with nothing to say. Maybe it's because she's unafraid to do just that, and to be self-deprecating ("I have A.D.D." ... "See, I was just lost in the clouds...") and the confidence to show us her true self, perfect or otherwise.

And on the driving in LA theme, here's a Randy Newman video from 1983 on that same subject, but his underscores the driving element. It's fun and it shows all (the best) parts of this huge city. The music, the hair and fashion really takes you back to '83 ... assuming you remember 1983.

James Dean Conklin - GreenheadMedia

2006-12-27T10:33:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jamesdeanconk

James Dean Conklin, a New York-based animator and documentary filmmaker who heads GreenheadMedia, must be cursed with always having lots of peculiar ideas running through his head. Ideas that he must turn into offbeat animated characters with eccentric and very funny storylines.

It was our lucky day when we ran across his quirky comic treasures, all with their varied characters and humorous plot lines, but also ironic and somewhat twisted in their humor.

You'll laugh out loud with a knowing wink back to these odd little characters and their dialogue. Then you just gotta wave a friend or co-worker over to replay these so you can share the joke.

In case you thought animation was just for kids, Conklin's "Adul Tito" (above), a precocious sprout who's fond of wearing a dark suits, tells us that animations are cool. But kids? Well, Adul Tito hates kids. He blurts this out matter-of-factly to the horror of his little neighbor. But he says it in Spanish so it sounds so much nicer.

Conklin and Greg Fiering created the Adul Tito videos as a portfolio piece to help him land a producing gig at the Locomotion network. And it paid off, he got the job.

Then there's the crime-fighting superhero WONDERMAN, and his alter-ego Henry Moore, a la Superman and Clark Kent. The sound and the animation in this steamy little shocker are somewhat cold and jumpy. I'm speculating that they were produced like that to mimic cartoons from the 50's or 60's. And the very serious sounding narrator and non-nonsense voices are a perfect contrast to the overtly sexual dialogue.

Wonderman is a crime-fighter, but like any guy he also wants to get laid. Well, get his alter-ego laid that is. Yes, he thinks about sex so much it's a wonder man that he gets any crime fighting done.

Wonderman, we're told, was an animation created for the Robert Smigel's TV Funhouse series (on Comedy Central) as a spoof of the 1940's Fleischer Studios Superman cartoons.

Ya know that guy? That guy who always has all the answers, but it turns out that they're the wrong answers? But he's so serious, and Gosh, so sincere and amiable that you can't bring yourself to tell him that his ramblings are utter nonsense. No one ever stopped this guy so it turns that he got his own TV show, self-named the The Monkeyman Show, complete with his own set of guidelines that he calls "The Monkeyman Rules".

Yes, The Monkeyman is a self-labelled, self-help guru whose work has helped dozens over the past 30 years. He'll guide you to success and empowerment with such admonitions as "Think of a place you want to go ... then go there."

In addition to all the above videos, there's also the short series called "Migraine Boy"; and also "Trail of Tears" and "Matthew", both by Greg Fiering.

All of GreenheadMedia's shorts are watchable, over and over and ageless. These videos are between five and ten years old. We'll be watching for more current stuff. But they'll have to push themselves to top their earlier work discussed above.

The Moscow Coup Attempt - Do You Fear Sleep?

2006-12-27T09:43:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: TMCA

We usually stay away from reviewing music videos because it's traditionally the music which is the main feature and the videos can't usually stand on their own. But the music and accompanying video to "Do You Fear Sleep?" from the album Insomnia from the group 'The Moscow Coup Attempt' grabbed me and mesmerized me through four viewings.

Perhaps it's because I live and work in San Fransisco and I take the same route shown in the sepia-toned video several times a week. Perhaps it's because I'm entranced by the historical images of these people from 100 years ago in this film and the inevitable thoughts of time and mortality it conjures up.

The video is actual film of San Fransisco's Market Street -- the main drag through downtown -- shot from a trolley car in 1906. The images flip back and forth -- showing carefree people on the street scurrying about in their daily business with no thoughts of impending doom.

Then the picture switches to darker skies, slower movement and fewer people moving about on those same streets. You can also clearly see the same buildings in ruins just after the 1906 earthquake and fire.

I love that the camera follows the same route from west to east, towards the Ferry Building in the distance in both scenes. It seems to have the same perspective and speed, as if it's on the same trolley car in both shots, like someone had choreographed and directed the entire scene beforehand.

From a performance standpoint, both the video and the music undeniably stand, with dignity and poise on their own, earthquake images notwithstanding. And isn't that the standard for rank distinction in music or for a music video?

Granted, the video was shot 100 years ago, so the group or producer in charge of the creating the music video had no hand in its actual creation. But isn't vision for partnering images -- new or old -- with music what defines a successful music video and makes it come alive?

Now, if you don't mind, I have to replay this one more time.

Betty Butterfield - Bettys Meds

2006-12-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: chriscanary

Betty needs her meds! Among other things, she has "female problems" so bad that she can't even watch "I Love Lucy" in the morning anymore.

But the good news is she's found her pill paradise. Yes, she goes across the border to Mexico or Canada to purchase medication. Praise the Lord, it's "Better living through chemistry." sniff sniff ...

Is that 'A Stranger in Paradise' playing in the background?

Let's listen in ...

TIMMY and Kruger's Apple

2006-12-27T08:18:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

The Residents present a series of very short videos following the adventures of a 9-year-old kid named Timmy. In actuality, these wizards of satire take old stock footage of movies or educational films and put their own engaging take on the action with Timmy's chirpy voice-overs.

In this one Timmy happily talks about his brother Kruger and how he doesn't like to wash his hands and how this makes him somewhat of an outcast. Poor Timmy, he doesn't get it. We get it and we absolutely love these delightful little parodies.

TIMMY and the frozen burrito

2006-12-27T06:25:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

"Speaking of uteruses..." I didn't know we were. Oh, Timmy. He stumbled onto his aunt having The Talk with his cousin.

The residents have resurrected a very, very old sex ed movie. I believe I watched it in 4th grade before most of you were born. Both Timmy and the movie are astonishingly naive. This one is hilarious.

Logitech - Wallstrip

2006-12-26T19:09:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: wallstrip

In show business it's all about gettin' "shwag"! This is a very professionally done review show on different publicly-traded companies and their products and services. This subject of this segment is LogiTech, Inc., and its computer peripherals.

This is very interesting -- and straight -- until Lindsay Campbell, our well-spoken and attractive, host can't take it anymore. The person in her story gets all kinds of free stuff from LogiTech for promoting their products on her blog. Well Lindsay is fed up. She's not getting her share of shwag.

This is where it gets good.

Wallstrip regularly does these informative yet entertaining news-magazine style video blogs pretty straight, but I think this is the first one in which they pulled back the curtain and went into the comedy realm in the last half of the segment. After seeing this one I looked for more of this entertaining angle on their other vlogs but was disappointed not to find any. We'll keep watching. ... but I don't get the name: Wallstrip? Is Linday going to ...? Nah. Cartoon strip? Hmm.

Magic Mag-net-ic

2006-12-26T14:15:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: tkelleman

Want a bracelet that can change with the size of your wrist? Or how about a weird looking ring? Perhaps all you want is a plaything. Well, if any of this is the case, then check this video out. Some fun magnetic science is going on here for sure.

Sleepy Spudgy

2006-12-26T13:21:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: spudgy

Who doesn’t enjoy a cute little animal falling asleep? If you want to laugh at one of the smaller versions of man’s best friend, then check Sleepy Spudgy out!

Funnyvideo Simpsons

2006-12-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: pixxxer

This is somewhat old but it's done so well that it's worth a second look. You’ll enjoy it immensely if you’re a fan of the Simpsons. It's the Simpsons in real-life, or something like it anyway. The producers and actors and do a really nice job here.

The Hugs for Jacey Campaign

2006-12-26T09:04:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: SadieDammit
A touching video about a child with Leukemia. Watching her in her hospital bed you can’t help but be moved. Jacey is a child that clearly understands what is important. Along with this, if you want to do something noteworthy, go ahead and give the ‘hug’ that Dammit Productions requests. In the end, you’ll feel better that you did.

Weird Al Yankovic - Amish Paradise

2006-12-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for Lanooz

Another spot-on parody by Weird Al Yankovic.

Arnold Speaks: Merry Christmas

2006-12-23T13:12:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: ArnoldSpeaks.com

A cheery, upbeat message from Ahhnold.

Merry Christmas to all, if you're not sick, or worse.

Arnold Speaks - An apology

2006-12-23T13:00:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: ArnoldSpeaks.com

An apology

He finally sees the error of his ways ... I think.

TACO BELL DOG DIES - True Hollywood Story

2006-12-22T19:51:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: tv12673

For something to be funny, there must be truth behind it so people can identify with it; it must also have some irony in it, and it's gotta go over the top just enough to make you understand that it is parody and, Heck, to make you laugh. This one by YouTuber tv12673 , AKA The Quattlebaum Comedy Troupe, really nails it. This one is entertaining and funny. !Yo quiero! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

The Chuck Chair

This satire (in the video above) of the sleazy pseudo docu-entertainment show "True Hollywood Story" follows the life and death of that adorable Chihuahua we knew as 'the Taco Bell dog'.

He recited those words that became famous in America a couple years ago with his tagline spoken in his deep accented voice: "Yo quiero Taco Bell," until the phenomenon died down soon after. And apparently so did "Arnesto Martinez", the famous Taco Bell Dog.

This video is very well done, from the voice-over to the acting. But I do wish they would have left out the dog's paws in the act, trying to manipulate a razor and to hold money. It didn't work as it just looks odd, like someone glued the items to a doggy paw. It would worked better if that portion was edited out of those scenes because everything else in this video worked so well.

Angry Coach

Unfortunately this video is the only of tv12673's that works and the one we can reccomend watching. Their other efforts completely miss the mark.

They each want to be comedies but, well, they're not funny. You know when you tell a joke and no one laughs, and you feel compelled to tell your audience, "I guess you had to be there." I think that's what's happened here. The writer perhaps saw each of these situations happen in real life and he had good laugh to himself, then he tried to produce that humor in these videos. And they flopped. The angry coach is not angry enough, the "crazy advertisement" is not crazy at all, the fan is not any more fanatical than we've seen before, the librarian -- again is normal. The dwarf segment is just silly.

I do give high marks for the actors' exemplary portrayals of their respective characters. They are all pros. All the videos appear to be real scenes, with the acting so good that you don't believe anyone is acting. Unfortunately the writing makes these scene seem real. Nothing is over the top enough to clue us in that there's a joke or that we should be laughing or with anyone in the scene.

Angry Dwarf

There's no irony, nothing over-the-top. The scene is over, the credits role, and you say to yourself, "What did I just watch? A documentary with actors portraying real characters? I don't get it."

It's really too bad too because all the videos started out with a viable premise, but the writing needed a strong hand to add real irony and knock the audience over with big laughs.

And there's the rub. How many times have we gone to high school or college football games and seen a rabid fans, screaming at the field? It happens all the time. It's not funny.

Angry Librarian

Case in point: How many times have we seen customers ask for just a little too much help, or a student demand too much from a college library help desk? Awkward, but not funny.

Case in point: How many times have we seen rabid fans with painted faces, hair, bodies? Yep, it happens every weekend during football season in America. Reality. Not funny. "Fan" is the root of "fanitical", so we expect fans to be fanitical.

The title is "Crazy Fan" but he's not so crazy. He's a fan. I kept waiting for him to become a crazed fan. What if ... Now stay with me here ... How about a rabid fan who carries his fanaticism it into his personal life, also painting his face and tummy and screaming out encouragement during sex, or sitting in on his seventh grade sons' math class going overboard when his boy gives a correct answer,

Crazy Fan

"Woo Woo Woo!! That's my. boy!" Then on Friday nights we see this same guy go crazy for his football team. Maybe we even see him sniffing the players' jersey's in the locker room before the team comes in.

I'm not trying to re-write their scripts for these guys who obviously put a lot of effort into their professionally produced movies, I'm just describing what takes a scene from normal everyday reality and pushes it into the realm of irony and well, comedy.

I know, who am I to tell the filmmaker how to re-write his screenplay? Perhaps it's not my place. It's just that I was disappointed in each of their videos (except the 'Taco Bell Dog True Hollywood Story') because they all had so much promise and I wanted to like them. I wanted to laugh, instead I was confused.

In Vino Veritas...or is it??

2006-12-22T11:17:00.000-08:00

All videos and reviews for aconover

We all know that when it comes to a fine glass of wine, we should do certain things to impress the person we're with and fool them into thinking that we actually know something about the whole biz.

You know the drill: stare at the glass intently, and with mock concentration, swish it around and say some nonsense about the "legs" and them being very fine, attractive ones at that...make sure to take a deep sniff of the fragrant aroma and raise your eyes in mock appreciation, like the scent itself has somehow inspired you to suddenly write a ballad or break out into spontaneous song. Oh yes, and try to control yourself from taking down the whole glass in one gulp because you need something to take the edge off from the overwhelming stress you have over this whole wine tasting bit ... where's some good Sutter Home Zinfandel or boxed wine when you need it, huh?

The director of Olde English Comedy takes this facade one step forward in his video, "The Wine Guy." In The Wine Guy, he puts a wildly satirical spin on the whole business -- taking it to absurd (but funny) extremes as his main character markets the bottle he's serving to two rather gullible restaurant patrons. Although the acting is a bit forced and over-done, the concept is creative and the video is fun and amusing.

Olde English Comedy's other videos hit along the same vein: taking pop culture and ramping it up a notch or three. In their video, The Stakeout, two cops spy on a group of gangsters a'la Sopranos-style to perform a bust. While eavesdropping on the hard-core criminals, they discover more than what they bargained for! Again, I think the Stakeout is inspired.

The idea is creative and funny in concept, the film quality is professional, and the dialogue is entertaining and, at many times, even hysterical. The only criticism I have is echoed throughout all their videos: the acting is oftentimes exaggerated and perhaps a bit overdone. A lot of the lines seem forced as they are delivered by each of the characters; some of the reactions are also poorly timed as well, which is oftentimes noticeable to the viewer.

Don't let this sway you from taking a peak, however! Both The Stakeout and The Wine Guy are great pre-Holiday distractions while you're wilting away in your abandoned office building. I suggest watching them with a fine glass of Ledson Merlot Reserve, 2001 Vintage of course...that, as you know, was an excellent year for Merlots ... right? RIGHT?

Roadmobiles--season 2 episode 2

2006-12-22T08:49:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: paravonian

Three comedians, three cars. Two were purchased new, and they have 193, 270 and 360 thousand miles on them. These guys are not mechanics, and a long history of breakdowns has taught them to carry emergency equipment with them. Most of it is provided by their families, and unexplored, but they probably have a flashlight and it may work. Their cars are mobile offices, warehouses and trash cans. (The last point is merely my own observation.)

This is funny because you've probably driven cars like this, where even the duct tape is worn out, and you have to honor the car's idiosyncracies or she won't run for you. Paravonian is an original young comic. His material is the ordinary things of life, like old, beat up, worn out cars. Enjoy.

Pachelbel Rant

2006-12-22T08:43:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: paravonian

You have got to watch this hilarious video by comedian Rob Pavaronian. He hates Pachelbel; accuses him of being the original one-hit wonder. He played cello as a kid, and the cello part to Pachelbel sucks, but he can't get away from it. Pachelbel is every song he listens to, from punk rock to folk music--he illustrates with song after song that all have the same musical theme. This is original comedy, and it's really funny.

Live Christmas Nativity

2006-12-22T07:09:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

Some people have long memories. Two years ago, Tavin spit at a kid at the Presbyterian church, and the kid accused him of spitting on him and when the dust settled, Tavin owed the Presbyterians a favor. Now they want to collect, so he is working the midnight to 4 am shift in a non-speaking live nativity. Tavin plays Joseph. He's there in the middle of the night with Mary, a doll baby Jesus, three wise men, a donkey, 2 sheep, a pony, a goat and a labrador retriever. It's a hard job, standing still and not saying anything, and it's even harder when Tavin's brother comes by to throw water balloons at him.

It begins with spit and ends with water balloons. As Tavin says, "Merry Christmas. Happy New Year." He needs a hot shower. Or at least a cup of cocoa with marshmallow niblets in it.

Christmas Time!

2006-12-22T06:51:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

It's Christmas time in the country, and Tavin had quite a day. He worked an eight-hour shift for Mason Mitchell loading Christmas trees into cars, pickups and hatchbacks, and got to pick out a huge tree for himself, so big they had to cut it down a bit to fit it into the trailer. Then he joined the community choir in carolling, and dropped by at Imogene Watkins' place. By listening to a lot of stories, he earned half a pecan pie--the best pecan pie in the county. And Memaw gave him a special early Christmas present.

Sweetteafilms produces good comedy, and this video has the usual good-natured southern humor. It's also got a sweet naivete. Tavin's joy at working for Mason, bringing Imogene's pie home for Memaw and receiving a simple gift is catching. Tavin has the Spirit of Christmas and he's sharing it with us.

Falsely Accused

2006-12-22T06:36:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

Tavin has had an emotional week. First, he found some leftover Halloween candy in his pillowcase. Sorry. I got stuck right there. Tavin is sitting right next to a dryer, and there are laundry supplies right behind his head, and HE HASN'T WASHED HIS PILLOWCASE IN OVER A MONTH. I know this is trailer trash comedy, but come on. A month !

Anyway, Tavin was falsely accused of stealing meat from the meat market, and Officer Steve hauled him away in handcuffs, but he was found innocent because the found the guy who really did it. You can't run from the law.

It's the details like the laundry room and month old pillowcase that make these comedy shorts from sweettea films so funny. The comedy is good, the delivery is great, and there's this unexpected subtlety going on in the background.

state of the music industry

2006-12-21T23:53:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

This The Resident is talking about music. She interviews people in Times Square about what kinds of music they listen to in order to get a feel for how people feel about today's music and the industry in general.

Extreme Diet Coke & Mentos Experiments

2006-12-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: EepyBird

THE viral video. More popular than a Rubiks Cube. And much much more entertaining to watch. Who ever thought?

It's Simple, inventive and oh so fun to watch. Let's watch happens when you mix 200 liters of Diet Coke and more than 500 Mentos mints. The results are completely insane. They've made four of these videos. Stay tuned for more. Stay dry.

You'll also enjoy this take-off >> on the theme done on smaller scale but with a nicely appropriate matching, and more scenic, background scene.

Forget sexism and racism..let's talk about ageism!

2006-12-21T11:24:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

Lori Harfenist hones in on random and unwitting Times Square pedestrians with another hot topic for her fanbase: this time, the topic is on "Ageism," a bias that's just as controversial as any of the more widely accepted debates that rampage throughout the public consciousness.

Lori conducts her live interviews with her signature sarcasm and wacky edge, making people open up to her, despite themselves. The result is a hysterical run-down of why everyone's expectations of where they're supposed to be in life at a certain age are unrealistic and ridiculous.

For anyone who's not abiding by life's pre-set timetables (ie, everyone!), this is definitely a must-see!

Soap Opera #2 -- HappySlip

2006-12-20T20:20:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: happyslip

Claire gets even with Audrey. These two characters appeared in HappySlip's first video, Instant video blogging. Here, their soap opera continues. Girls girls!

Ninjas and The Matrix (Doogtoons)

2006-12-20T18:56:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: doogtoons

An inside look at the technique and speed of the average ninja. Amazing.

The Truth About Darth Vader (Doogtoons)

2006-12-20T18:50:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: doogtoons

A ninja did the voice of Darth Vader, not James Earl Jones. Listen to more interesting facts in this inside look and conversation with a real ninja.

New Tommy Chong Cartoon Teaser

2006-12-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: doogtoons

A very short teaser for a coming attraction: Tommy Chong Cartoon. uh, what more can I say?

"Weird Al" In the Studio ... Al's Childhood

2006-12-20T18:39:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: Doogtoons

"Weird Al" talks about his early childhood with doogtoons.com.

sticks and stones

2006-12-20T00:05:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

The Resident hits Times Square. She interviews people about the worst things they have been called. She wants to know what makes a word bad and why we get so offended by the names people call us.

The music goes well with the video.

HORN OK PLEASE

2006-12-19T14:18:00.000-08:00

This very entertaining animated video follows a monotonous day in the life of Lucky, an Indian taxi driver, and his experiences with all his different passengers. We follow Lucky on his quest to earn enough money to buy the air-conditioned taxi of his dreams. Will he make it?

Amazing how the subtle lift of any eyebrow or the frowning of a mouth on these clay characters can say everything without any words. And you gotta love Lucky's cute little son.

It's amazing how much tedious work -- being passed back and forth across the oceans -- must have gone into this piece, which was a creative collaboration between animators in India and in Northern Ireland. Watch the end credits and you'll see the evidence of this, as the Irish and Indian names fade up.

This is one to watch and to return to often to replay to catch every nuance. Enjoy.

Unfortunately the video embed is disabled on this one. View it here on YouTube.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRwAojLnA6A

From YouTube.com user: flickerpixanimations

TIMMY and the Dancing Chipmonk

2006-12-18T10:21:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

Timmy's one-legged neighbor can't dance anymore, and he is resigned to watching his chipmunk dance instead, and to eating desserts instead of chicken, his favorite food. Timmy thinks he is one lucky guy, but the man says that sometimes it is hard having only one leg.

The TIMMY videos are all extremely well done, with old video clips illustrating Timmy's somewhat robotic voice overs. The music is as jarring as the contrast between Timmy's naive interpretation of events and the reality of those events. In a way, they are funny as all get out. In another way, they ara subtle, interesting social comment on the 60's, and on life today.

Santa Claus - Steady Mobbin'

2006-12-18T10:14:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: wwwBLACK20com

Recently we reviewed a sweet video which featured many people singing a rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas. It's was cute. Well, maybe hokey or downright corny to some. But if you liked that one then this one will be a shocker. Give it a try though. But you better sit down ... and put your seat belt on. We're in for bumpy ride.

Ever wonder what Santa does the other 364 days of the year? Watch the secret evil life of Santa Claus. He's a drunk, mean old grump, beating up anyone in his way. Without the Christmas spirit he's pretty evil.

Note the one scene -- they all move pretty quickly -- in which he's on his MySpace.com page sending out denials to all the kids who requested his 'Friend' status.

This is another one creative guys at BLACK20.com, the creators of "The Easter Bunny Hates You". Feel the love.

Enjoy. And to all a good knifing.

Unlocking Tavin's Mind

2006-12-18T09:25:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

It appears that Tavin Dillard is in therapy (probably mandated by some court). He has been severely traumatized by an incident from his childhood. Actually, it was more than one incident; it continued from the time he was seven until he was about 18. That's when he found out what soda pop really tastes like, and discovered it tastes different than the soda pop his brother fixed him every morning.

Oh, yes. Tavin has problems. Especially since he blew a hole in the trailer and has to sleep on the floor next to Grandpa.

Sweetteafilms makes the funniest trailer trash videos. There's something hauntingly familiar about Tavin, though. He reminds me of someone...I know! He reminds me of Nathaniel Pikkard. Could Nathaniel be his brother? The one who peed in Tavin's soda pop? Suddenly it all makes sense....

Out of Control

2006-12-18T09:10:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jessicapeanut

This is an anti-hate protest set, quite appropriately, to "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks. Images depicting hate -- a white-hooded figure holding an American flag, protesters with signs that read "God Hates Fags," pictures of people who were killed because they were black or gay, followed by pictures of those who killed them, neo-Nazi images.

There are also scattered images of people who oppose hate (including several of the Dixie Chicks). The video ends with three slogans: live and let live, equality is for everyone, and stop the hate.

Jessicapeanut's protest videos are often sarcastic, but this one is angry. Yes, it is possible to be angry about hate without becoming a hater. It's a serious, well-done editorial about hate groups in the U.S.

Just for Fun

2006-12-18T09:00:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jessicapeanut

If you like animals, you'll certainly enjoy this "Just for Fun" video from jessicapeanut. Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping" is the perfect song for an entertaining photage of animals. It's light, happy and just for fun.

As always, jessica does a beautiful job of perfectly syncrhonizing the pictures to the music, both in timing and in content.

War on Christmas

2006-12-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jessicapeanut

jessicapeanut is witty, sharp, and sarcastic. She claims to be 82 years old, but I don't believe her--her music choices and satire are those of a much younger person. For this video, she chose "Crazy" by Dope, and put together a video collage of defiled Santas and heretical Christ images. It's a comment on the Fox news story about the "war on Christmas." Like her other videos, it's perfectly done.

The Blahs

2006-12-18T08:07:00.000-08:00

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From YouTube.com user: Gr8Shotz

The holiday blues get us all sometimes, and Russ has them. The holidays aren't what they used to be, work is in an uproar that makes life feel unstable, and his dating life is non-existent. He says he needs to make some changes in his life, including the way he is choosing to think about things. And what better time to think about changes than now, as the New Year approaches.

Gr8Shotz is everyman, which is what makes his vlog so appealing. He goes through the same ups and downs that you and I do, and he vlogs about daily life. He is easy to identify with and to like. His vlogs are personal, like listening to a friend.

Hey, Russ, watch your own Thanksgiving video a few dozen times; it'll encourage you. Celebrate a Merry Christmas with your family. The New Year will bring the changes you need, probably before you are ready for them. We'll be waiting for the vlog.

BTW, how much weight have you lost? Looks like about 20 pounds since April--your face is much thinner. :)

Part 1: "The Avon Lady"

2006-12-18T00:42:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: cheztam

The whereabouts of the missing dinosaur are known for a while in part one.

Chaz comes to Kal's to find that Kal has a gun on the dinosaur who posed as an Avon Lady, obviously. A sweet funny rap ensues detailing the journey and how they were pulled over. Chaz does not do his job as the cop opens the trunk. All Hell breaks loose.

Very funny clip and not bad hip hop skills by Chaz and Kal. Good clip from cheztam.

Home ... for the holidays

2006-12-17T20:34:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: happyslip

Home. Home is where the your heart is. Home for the holidays is the best wish anyone could grant. Merry Christmas.

The 12 Days of Christmas

2006-12-17T15:46:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: Zipster08

Now this is what the "worldwide web" and "community" is all about: Bringing people together from around the world, all connected only via their individual Internet connections for the purpose of creating something meaningful and to share in a cause in the spirit of the Christmas. Hokey? Maybe. Successful? Incredibly.

The cause was a simple one: to bring together voices from the YouTube vlogging community in a choir of sorts to present The 12 Days of Christmas. A simple cause but no small undertaking. But if the definition of a successful cause, by YouTube standards, is a high number of views, then this one is a smashing success. This entertaining video (as of Dec. 17) has surpassed 1.24 million views. (And they received 3288 comments.)

In early November Matt5413 posted a video request asking others to send in their renditions of the traditional Christmas song. After all the entries were received Matt5413, SilentWhistle and Zipster08 went to work creating this very creative piece of living art that wove together not only the many varied voices, but also the lively images and personalities of each of the 'choir' members.

Kudos go to the flawless editing by SilentWhistle, with production help from Zipster08. (I'm still trying to figure out how he kept everyone's singing in time with the musical track that carries the song throughout the video.)

What makes this piece more layered and interesting and infinitely more watchable is the homespun nature of it. Some of collaborators have, um, well, shall we say less than professional sounding voices, while a few of the voices are very impressive. The backgrounds, lighting and sound quality are all varied and most are imperfect. And again that's what brings the community feel to this and makes you want to stay for every verse.

I apologize for sounding like a cliche, but successful efforts like these that obviously involve many hours of tedious work without the thought of monetary reward are what Christmas is all about. Excellent work.

TIMMY and Charlie

2006-12-17T15:34:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

Today, Timmy tells us about a one-legged man, a chipmunk named Charlie, and about his sister's funeral. Timmy hopes Charlie doesn't die. Cute little Timmy is a little strange.

The Residents' quirky takes on the '60's all have a sinister, twisted, funny feel to them.

A moment of peace

2006-12-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: psylentknight

I enjoyed the nature slides in this "moment of peace" by psylentknight. Towards the end, there were, in fairly quick succession, slides of three mounted camels sillouetted against the desert sky, a night moon with Santa and reindeer (I think) across it, and the light tower shining from the World Trade Center site. Not nature, and symbolic of what? The music was not peaceful, but it was perfectly matched with the video. Great job, psylentknight.

Renetto's Christmas Carol

2006-12-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: renetto

Renetto finds himself in a cathedral at the holidays, and is impelled to sing because he likes the sound of his own voice (which is very good). And, perhaps, because of the wonderful acoustics. He films himself quite close up, singing "Silent Night" acapella. It makes a very nice Christmas (or Hannakuh, if you'll excuse the Jesus reference) card.

TIMMY and the Giant Doll

2006-12-17T14:37:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

TIMMY's little sister (how many sisters does he have??) got a giant doll for her birthday, and it must have been a cabbage patch prototype, because it was an orphan, and its parents were killed in an accident. TIMMY thinks it was kind of creepy, so maybe it was more like Chucky than a cabbage patch. Or maybe Chucky is a cabbage patch. AAGH! The Residents make these TIMMY videos so confusing. They have so many layers, so much depth, so much symbolism. Or, maybe they're just a drug-induced dream left over from the '60's.

Top Prospect

2006-12-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

Sweetteafilms treats us to another comedy interview. This time the announcer, "Steve" interviews Shep Hensley, who is a top teaching prospect. Steve has a flat, high-pitched nasal voice, and he sounds like he's consitpated or high. Shep is sincere, honest and direct. He wants to be a great teacher and a role model for kids. He's been compared to Ted Phillips, but Heck, he finds the comparison flattering. Shep just hopes he can do that well.

There are risks to a career in teaching, but Shep thinks he can run with the ball and be a powerhouse teacher. Yes, he heard how Maggie Duncan fell. She used to be the best, she was teacher of the year three years running back in the '80's. National MVP. But, well, she got lax. Stopped going to in-services, and lost control of her classroom. She's been traded for two student teachers. So yeah, it can happen to anyone, but Shep hopes it won't happen to him.

If he had to, he could play professional sports, but you can't support a family that way. Besides, most kids look up to their teacher, not those ball players. Steve thinks we'll be hearing more from Shep. We sure hope so.

Smile if you want

2006-12-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jessicapeanut

Vitamin C's "Smile" is the perfect song for this video. Lots of cute animal smiles, "Your dimples are so cute."

"LIfe it ain't easy, it's so tough." Especially if you are a gorilla or a rhino or a baby giraffe with Mom licking your head (Remember your mom spitting on a kleenex and washing your face? Imagine a great big black tongue instead of the kleenes...). But you can still, "put a smile on your face, make the world a better place." Jessica is very skilled at synchronizing slides with music, and you'll enjoy the way she put them together in this cute animal video.

Carnival Fun!

2006-12-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: Gr8Shotz

I've been looking forward to this vlog by Gr8Shotz because I wanted to see the pig. He said he met a pig at the church carnival he took his folks to. And, by the way, this was a lot cooler than any church carnival I've ever been to. They had real carnival rides, games and a midway. It was night time, and the video is a little dark in some places, but Russ did a wonderful job of capturing the carnival atmosphere--screams, voices, lights, rides, food, music--it was all there.

My favorite spots were the Irish dancing and the Sunday School Singers, and the little girl who was too scared to sing. Despite the dark, you could see the tears in her eyes. AWWW.... Russ liked the pig, and now he wants one. Maybe his dad and step-mom will get him a potbelly pig for Christmas.

Betty Butterfield - Tragic Life

2006-12-16T21:14:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: chriscanary

Poor Betty Butterfield, my new favorite YouTube character, is, sniff sniff, at it again. As always, she's going on about her tragic tragic circumstances. As she whimpers on about her "problems" you can't help but laugh out loud because she is so sincere about these nonsensical issues.

She whines, "I don't never have no money in my purse. Sometimes I can't scrape together enough money for cigarettes." What will she do? How will she survive?

The writing and acting in these short and simple videos is not only superb -- you'll want to return to the video again to replay it several times, if only in your head, to get every nuance -- but everything she says is so trivial that you can't help but enjoy a nice belly laugh at the overwhelming sorrow she puts into her soulful blubbering.

And be sure to wait for the closing shot as she drinks from her tall tumbler of iced tea -- or more likely it's Long Island Iced Tea. The faces she makes as her entire head convulses in slow-motion are priceless. Poor tragic Betty.

nyc subway etiquette

2006-12-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

The Resident hits the subway. Her mission is to teach subway etiquette to those who do not know the unwritten rules. She interviews various people on the subway trains about the rules of the train.

The sound on this video is very clear.

It’s Your Thing

2006-12-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: aconover

Ben is confronted by his buddies. He is lacking a “thing.” Together they brainstorm with him to find his “thing.” After trying many different “things” they come to a conclusion; Ben’s “thing” is found when he goes back to doing what he was doing when they confronted him, before the search.

The editing in this video is fabulous. The sound is of excellent quality. The dialogue is very humorous.

Town Carnival

2006-12-16T20:43:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

Tavin helped set up the snow cone machine at the 77th Annual Tyson Chicken Carnival, but somebody left the lids loose and there was syrup everywhere.

That wasn't the high point of the carnival, though. The high point was the ole boy who painted a picture on the tailgate of Rusty Tidwell's pickup. You'd have thought you were looking at a photograph. Yessir. Tavin was real impressed. Shook that ole boy's hand and got him a snow cone.

This is another wry trailer trash video by SweetTeaFilms. The acting is great; Tavin's respect for the patriot who painted Rusty's tailgate is heartfelt and sincere. You can tell he's deeply touched by the thought of a crocodile shooting an M16 at a 12 point buck with a Catfish leaping overhead. Tavin's sincere naivete set next to the improbability of it all is funny, and well, sort of sweet.

Stupid Food Names

2006-12-16T20:32:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

The Resident is curious about food names. She wonders if other people have noticed all of the “silly” food names out there. She quizzes several people in Times Square to see if they know which food names belong to which restaurants. She also polls people to see why they think that restaurants come up with silly names for food.

There was a lot of effort and thought that went into editing this video. The sound is of excellent quality.

Lawnmowing Business

2006-12-16T13:05:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

Tavin isn't a hero. Not yet, anyway. But he is a patriot and a businessman who is ready to go to war on some yards.

No, it's not easy building a lawnmowing empire, and it's causing him a lot of stress, and some conflict with his brother. But Tavin thinks his lawn mowing business is his life's calling and he is willing to do whatever it takes.

Tavin's "Lawnmowing Business" is Southern-fried sit-down comedy brought to us by SweetTeaFilms. Tavin's monologues are always great entertainment.

Beware, the sound quality on this one is poor. It's difficult to hear, even with the volume turned all the way up.

The Real New York

2006-12-15T22:31:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: aconover

Have you ever wanted to see the “real New York”? Ask a New Yorker, or not. Instead watch this video and see for yourself how to avoid the catastrophe that the young man in the video goes through.

There was a lot of thought that went into the creation of this video as it is well edited, the sound is excellent and the music fits the video well.

A Field

2006-12-15T22:23:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: aconover

Are you lost? You may not be, but the guy in the video seems to be. He is trying to find his friend that he is meeting but having a difficult time doing so. This is a watch and laugh video.

The sound is of excellent quality. The dialogue will keep you laughing.

Impeach Cheney First

2006-12-15T22:11:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jessicapeanut

This is a slide show that depicts jessicapeanut’s opinion of Dick Cheney. It is a very powerful slide show. If you do not like Dick Cheney then you will agree with jessicapeanut. If you do like Dick Cheney then you will not agree with her and will probably not like the video. But wait! Even if you do not like Dick Cheney, you should watch this video. Jessicapeanut has done a fabulous job of putting a slide show together with music. The music and pictures compliment each other very well.

tv rots yer brains

2006-12-15T22:03:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

The Resident interviews many different people in Times Square about their opinions of television. She does not think that t.v. rots your brain, but she is seeking other people’s opinions.

The sound quality is excellent on this video. The editing is very well done.

being trendy must endy

2006-12-15T21:31:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresident

At first you think that this clip is going to be corny, especially if you look at the title. Then, you watch it and realize that The Resident has a point to the clip. She speaks to various people in New York about their trends and styles. If they are into trends, she tries to get them to realize what trends do to a person. If they are not into trends then she praises them.

The music that accompanied this clip fit well. The sound is of excellent quality.

America

2006-12-15T20:30:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: Fallen223

This short video pays a tribute to American soldiers. It is a slide show that consists of pictures of American soldiers. The pictures are very powerful.

The music makes the slideshow more powerful. This slideshow flows very nicely.

Star Trek TOS George Takei Bitter Past

2006-12-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: toddkin

If you are a Star Trek TOS fan, toddkin's video reminiscence will either delight you or disillusion you. The Star Trek was not one big happy family, and they all (according to Takei) hated one particular cast member the most: William Shatner. This is a well-put-together minidocumentary about the behind the scenes infighting in the Star Trek world, where they smile and shake hands at Star Trek conventions, and cut each other to pieces behind the scenes.

I don't want to accuse anybody of sour grapes, but Shatner has worked constantly since Star Trek ended, in movies and on TV. Takei, on the other hand, has done a lot of Star Trek conventions.

A Three HOur Tour--The Professor's Story

2006-12-15T14:07:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: kenrg

Gilligan's Island meets Lost meets some old horror flick. They are eating Thurston Howell III, Gilligan has kidnapped Mary Anne and the Skipper wants his TiVO. If he doesn't get it, he may serve the Professor up for dinner.

You'll enjoy this spoof by Kenrg. It tells the true story of what REALLY happened on the island.

Kenrg actually looks like the professor would look about now. Hmm. Maybe this isn't fiction after all. Maybe there really was a three-hour tour. Maybe they've been there all this time, going more and more insane until they finally resorted to cannibalism ... somebody please rescue the Professor! He's about 180 miles south-southwest of Hawaii.

Have a Voice

2006-12-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: jessicapeanut

Have a Voice is a protest video from jessicapeanut encouraging us to speak up against the war in Iraq. It's a beautiful collage of greiving Iraquis and Americans, flag-draped coffins, people weeping together and images of the war. In the beginning, she displays the statistics that tell how many both sides have lost. She ends with nearly two minutes of black silence. It's a beautiful video that will touch your heart no matter what you believe about the war.

Friday vlog 11/10/2006

2006-12-15T13:42:00.000-08:00

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From YouTube.com user: Gr8Shotz

Russ--Gr8Shotz--took a second job a while back, and it's killing him. It was supposed to be just a few hours during the week and one day on the weekend, but he's working more and more, and he's getting tired and cranky. As he processes it in the vlog, however, he discovers he has more to be thankful about than he does to bitch about.

Russ took his parents to their church carnival the night before he posted this vlog, and met a pig. I can hardly wait to here the rest of that story.

Catfish Buffet

2006-12-15T13:06:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: sweetteafilms

We get to listen in on another of Tavin's therapy sessions. (At least, they sound like therapy sessions). All Tavin did was complain about the bone he found in his catfish. They threw him out, and Memaw, and his brother and his sister. And didn't even wrap up his food. It's beautifully done; you can feel Tavin's angst. Especially when he digs the wax out of his ear. These little sweet tea films videos are great comedy.

TIMMY and Luther

2006-12-15T12:55:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

I wonder how many brothers and sisters TIMMY has?! There seem to be many, and they seem to have certain...difficulties in life. His brother Luther is a shoe salesman who only sells shoes to men. He used to find women's feet fascinating....Hmmm.

The residents do a beautiful job of taking simple, meaningless, daily events and making them sinister and twisted. They do it with music, videography, and TIMMY's chirpy voiceover. These guys are skilled and innovative. YouTube is a good venue for them, allowing them to display their talents in these short videos.

TIMMY and the Gold Pajamas

2006-12-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

From YouTube.com user: theresidents

Now I understand why the TIMMY videos by the residents seem so sinister and weird. It has something to do with the '60's. And weird hair. Timmy's sister has to listen to a lecture about the dangers of drugs given by a guy in gold pajamas who looks like Sonny Bono. Actually, he is Sonny Bono. It sends chills up my spine. Poor Timmy!