Like a lot of you out there, my funny bone has been a little sad due to the ongoing writer’s strike. Topical TV shows are running theme weeks and compilation episodes, movie theaters are packed with award-seeking serious flicks, and the internet can be a tough sea to navigate. I’ve been forced to troll through YouTube trying to find this SNL sketch or that Daily Show report. The one humor site (other than The Onion) that keeps killing me is Super Deluxe.
I was directed to this haven for humor last spring and have rarely been disappointed by its short yet memorable videos. People like Bob Odenkirk, Norm Macdonald, and the Comedians of Comedy have recurring shows and post clips whenever they feel like it. Clips usually last only a few minutes, but they pack loads of intelligent humor in a variety of ways, unlike the now clichéd randomness of every single Adult Swim show.
Even with a number of semi-stars contributing to the site, it’s the people you’ve never heard of who drive Super Deluxe’s success. Most notably a comic book artist named Brad Neely, whose series The Professor Brothers and I Am Baby Cakes are the site's two most popular mainstays. Both use crudely drawn yet effectively nuanced stills instead of motion animation to tell their stories, and there are plenty of subtle sight gags you’ll have to re-watch to catch.
To give you a taste, I’ve posted an episode of the 30-year-old man-child Baby Cakes for your delight.
We all know the Internet is the way of the present, but with top comedians devoting time to places like Funny or Die and Channel 101, it might just be the most reliable source to get your funny fix.
Showing posts with label humor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label humor. Show all posts
Monday, December 3, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A Taste of Genius
By now, everybody knows (and probably loves) both Steve Carell and Stephen Colbert. I know I do. As much as I admired their work on The Daily Show, I was initially sceptical of both of their television ventures that followed. I thought there was no way the American Office could live up to the British version, but after some time and viewing a handful of episodes, I've become a bonafide fan. And of course Mr. Carell is untouchable as the arrogant yet lovable Michael Scott. With the Colbert Report, I wasn't sure Stephen would be charismatic enough to drive the show for 30 minutes, let alone four days a week. He commands every second of the show without the help of correspondents and shows you his supreme imrpov chops during the interviews.
That said, I thought I'd share some of my favorite moments where they worked together on screen. It feels kind of weird to watch them work off each other now that they're both popular individually, but it's so incredibly fun.
Here's one of my favorite Even Stevphen's from the Daily Show:
And a classic sketch from the devastatingly shortlived Dana Carvey Show:
Finally an Ambiguously Gay Duo you're sure to enjoy:
That said, I thought I'd share some of my favorite moments where they worked together on screen. It feels kind of weird to watch them work off each other now that they're both popular individually, but it's so incredibly fun.
Here's one of my favorite Even Stevphen's from the Daily Show:
And a classic sketch from the devastatingly shortlived Dana Carvey Show:
Finally an Ambiguously Gay Duo you're sure to enjoy:
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The John Hodgman Reading Experience
After reading this McSweeneys piece yesterday (I know, enough with that site!) I was reminded of the time I saw John Hodgman speak, a.k.a. my all-time favorite book reading.
In general, I'm not a huge fan of readings. I don't especially care about meeting an author or finding out what they're like, and I don't harbor any pretensions that I'm going to get some clues about how their mind works. Plus, most of the time these authors aren't exactly the most socially-gifted people in the world, and seeing them in person can actually turn you off from the experience of reading them. I still haven't been able to read Marisha Pessl's "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" after her dry, uninspired reading at a bar in the East Village.
Although there are definitely exceptions, they usually seem qualified in some way. I've really enjoyed the two times I've seen Jennifer Egan speak, but I can't shake the feeling that it may have more to do with the searing crush I developed on her than any particular reading talent on her part (though, of course, she's an amazing writer regardless ) .
I liked hearing Chris Abani speak as well, but what I remember from that reading was not so much the story as it was the bizarre explanation that he wrote what may be the "great transvestite novel" weekday mornings in a Starbucks in Southern California. I also liked Sean Wilsey, but, while he was indeed funny and engaging, what was most memorable was his (very loud) use of the word "motherfucker" during a crowded reading in a Park Slope Barnes & Noble.
Back to John Hodgman.
The one thing he has that so few authors do is a true performative element to his reading. When I saw him tour for the paperback version of "The Areas of My Expertise," the reading featured guitar-playing (along with a theme-appropriate song), a tape deck, consistently funny stories that weren't just rehashed version from the book, and a free gift of "hobo chalk" for the members of the audience!
The highlight of the night came near the end, when he said that he would take some questions from the audience. Due to the "extreme discomfort" caused by this "level of intimacy," Hodgman distributed walkie-talkies to the audience so that they could ask their questions through it and provide a buffer. Of course, they ended up being cheap, ineffective walkie-talkies and while audience members tried to get them to work, everyone else was screaming with laughter at the absurd premise combined with Hodgman's laconic responses: "Are you holding the button down?" "Try holding it up to your mouth." And so on.
Anyway, by taking the time to make his reading something more than it needed to be, Hodgman created an amazing environment and probably sold a lot more copies, too. A year later, I still talk about that reading all the time and definitely still recommend that book to my friends.
So, that's my favorite reading. Anyone else have an especially memorable reading that stuck with them?
In general, I'm not a huge fan of readings. I don't especially care about meeting an author or finding out what they're like, and I don't harbor any pretensions that I'm going to get some clues about how their mind works. Plus, most of the time these authors aren't exactly the most socially-gifted people in the world, and seeing them in person can actually turn you off from the experience of reading them. I still haven't been able to read Marisha Pessl's "Special Topics in Calamity Physics" after her dry, uninspired reading at a bar in the East Village.
Although there are definitely exceptions, they usually seem qualified in some way. I've really enjoyed the two times I've seen Jennifer Egan speak, but I can't shake the feeling that it may have more to do with the searing crush I developed on her than any particular reading talent on her part (though, of course, she's an amazing writer regardless ) .
I liked hearing Chris Abani speak as well, but what I remember from that reading was not so much the story as it was the bizarre explanation that he wrote what may be the "great transvestite novel" weekday mornings in a Starbucks in Southern California. I also liked Sean Wilsey, but, while he was indeed funny and engaging, what was most memorable was his (very loud) use of the word "motherfucker" during a crowded reading in a Park Slope Barnes & Noble.
Back to John Hodgman.
The one thing he has that so few authors do is a true performative element to his reading. When I saw him tour for the paperback version of "The Areas of My Expertise," the reading featured guitar-playing (along with a theme-appropriate song), a tape deck, consistently funny stories that weren't just rehashed version from the book, and a free gift of "hobo chalk" for the members of the audience!The highlight of the night came near the end, when he said that he would take some questions from the audience. Due to the "extreme discomfort" caused by this "level of intimacy," Hodgman distributed walkie-talkies to the audience so that they could ask their questions through it and provide a buffer. Of course, they ended up being cheap, ineffective walkie-talkies and while audience members tried to get them to work, everyone else was screaming with laughter at the absurd premise combined with Hodgman's laconic responses: "Are you holding the button down?" "Try holding it up to your mouth." And so on.
Anyway, by taking the time to make his reading something more than it needed to be, Hodgman created an amazing environment and probably sold a lot more copies, too. A year later, I still talk about that reading all the time and definitely still recommend that book to my friends.
So, that's my favorite reading. Anyone else have an especially memorable reading that stuck with them?
Thursday, September 6, 2007
The Best of McSweeney's
On and off the last few years I've been a steady reader of the McSweeney's daily website, the offshoot of the literary magazine started by Dave Eggers and friends. Although I don't keep up with it to the extent I used to (too many misses these days, it seems, though maybe I'm just getting left behind?), I have accumulated so many favorites over the years that I decided to put together a top ten list.
So, what follows is my completely biased and sentimental look at The Best of McSweeney's Internet Tendency:
10. Thirteen Writing Prompts
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/5/4wiencek.html
A much loved piece, eventually inspired a contest in which people tried their hands at some of the, uh, challenging prompts within this article.
9. An Aging Kelis Reflects...
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/kelis.html
My favorite "Short, Imagined Monologue." This one is a little dated now, I admit, but who didn't love (or love to hate?) the "Milkshake Song."
8. Marvin Gaye Explains What he Heard Through the Grapevine
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/3/28moe.html
Part of a series that John Moe does where he "deconstructs" the lyrics to famous songs. This one is both silly and, somehow, kind of terrifying.
7. Winnie the Pooh is My Coworker
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2004/8/11moe.html
I think the title really says it all with this one.
6. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Meeting People More Famous than You
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2003/08/25guide.html
Michael Ian Black gives extremely helpful advice on how to approach famous people. One important tip: give money.
5. People Whose Names are Anagrams of My Own-Shane Patrick Ryan- Hold a Town Meeting
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2007/8/10ryan.html
An inspired piece, which I find all the more impressive because of my personal difficulty with anagrams. This must have taken weeks to write.
4. Dan Kennedy Solves Your Problem With Paper #7
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/paper/paper7.html
The best of Kennedy's "Paper Advice" columns-Nobody does the voice of the "depressed, solipsistic, aging male" archetype better these days.
3. History's Great Persons Reconsidered
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2001/01/09carvell.html#fitzgerald
It is a real shame that Tim Carvell doesn't do these anymore. Back in the early days of McSweeneys, you could always count on this column and John Hodgman's "Ask a Former Professional Literary Agent" for a laugh. This column finally asks the question historians have been too scared to: "What If Elvis Presley had lobster-like claws for hands?"
2. Current Releases
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/6/28kimball.html
I really don't know how to describe this article or explain why I find it so deeply funny. Does anyone even remember the Vaughn/Travolta movie "Domestic Disturbance" anymore? Regardless, I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes the first time I read this.
1. Truly Groundbreaking Advertising Ideas
http://www.mcsweeney.net/200/12/22kennedy.html
This piece, also written by Dan Kennedy, does absolutely everything you could hope for in a short comedy piece: It starts off funny, remains funny, and never lets up.
So, that's my list. Although there has got to be at least 15-20 more that could be included, these are the ones that I'll still go back to reread years later.
Are there any that I'm forgetting? Does anyone else have a favorite McSweeney's piece that merits inclusion?
So, what follows is my completely biased and sentimental look at The Best of McSweeney's Internet Tendency:
10. Thirteen Writing Prompts
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/5/4wiencek.html
A much loved piece, eventually inspired a contest in which people tried their hands at some of the, uh, challenging prompts within this article.
9. An Aging Kelis Reflects...
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/kelis.html
My favorite "Short, Imagined Monologue." This one is a little dated now, I admit, but who didn't love (or love to hate?) the "Milkshake Song."
8. Marvin Gaye Explains What he Heard Through the Grapevine
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2005/3/28moe.html
Part of a series that John Moe does where he "deconstructs" the lyrics to famous songs. This one is both silly and, somehow, kind of terrifying.
7. Winnie the Pooh is My Coworker
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2004/8/11moe.html
I think the title really says it all with this one.
6. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Meeting People More Famous than You
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2003/08/25guide.html
Michael Ian Black gives extremely helpful advice on how to approach famous people. One important tip: give money.
5. People Whose Names are Anagrams of My Own-Shane Patrick Ryan- Hold a Town Meeting
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2007
An inspired piece, which I find all the more impressive because of my personal difficulty with anagrams. This must have taken weeks to write.
4. Dan Kennedy Solves Your Problem With Paper #7
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/paper/paper7.html
The best of Kennedy's "Paper Advice" columns-Nobody does the voice of the "depressed, solipsistic, aging male" archetype better these days.
3. History's Great Persons Reconsidered
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2001/01/09carvell.html#fitzgerald
It is a real shame that Tim Carvell doesn't do these anymore. Back in the early days of McSweeneys, you could always count on this column and John Hodgman's "Ask a Former Professional Literary Agent" for a laugh. This column finally asks the question historians have been too scared to: "What If Elvis Presley had lobster-like claws for hands?"
2. Current Releases
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2006/6/28kimball.html
I really don't know how to describe this article or explain why I find it so deeply funny. Does anyone even remember the Vaughn/Travolta movie "Domestic Disturbance" anymore? Regardless, I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes the first time I read this.
1. Truly Groundbreaking Advertising Ideas
http://www.mcsweeney.net/200
This piece, also written by Dan Kennedy, does absolutely everything you could hope for in a short comedy piece: It starts off funny, remains funny, and never lets up.
So, that's my list. Although there has got to be at least 15-20 more that could be included, these are the ones that I'll still go back to reread years later.
Are there any that I'm forgetting? Does anyone else have a favorite McSweeney's piece that merits inclusion?
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