This is the one and only repeat video, because I just couldn’t resist. Now with new and improved second link!
Viral video responses to real world events. They’re a thing. And particularly appropriate, given last night’s Alberta Clipper in the DC region. Schools delayed or closed over the equivalent of two inches of snow, because we were too busy preparing for #SnOMG!, the 2016 edition.
Honestly, you’d think people would remember that this is what happens when El Niño is active, but no. Not so much.
So here’s today’s installment, viewed over 14 million times. Accept no substitutions.
Bread and Milk
But wait! There’s more!
Bread and Milk – Part 2
Now go forth and conquer the grocery store. Hurry. Before it’s too late!
It’s Feel Good Friday, and just like that, I’m back.
Really, though, this is an attempt at feeling better, knowing that there’s a whole lot of awful stuff going around today, especially in my personal Facebook feed.
It’s hard to think of a reason to smile, which is why these posts exist. Thanks for sticking around – classes are just about over for me and I’ll probably include a couple of my own pieces in the coming weeks, when I think about it.
Ephemeral as it is, YouTube has a wealth of information. This video’s making the rounds, but there’s only one original and it belongs to Margaret Hutto. (Hint: It’s the link below.) Accept no substitutions.
This brilliant music video tribute to the Doctor in all his forms is a fabulous mash-up of a-ha’s “Take On Me” video and clips in the style of the video taken from the series. I’ve been holding on to these for a while, so here’s your Twofer plus bonus tracks for today.
For reference, here’s the original video, by a-ha. You can really see how the style translates in color:
But wait! There’s more!
And I’m warning you now – swallow before you watch either of these. Yeah, they’re long, but the payoff is SOOO worth it.
There’s too many ways I could tag this. Leaving off at 12…
Yes, yes. Winter Olympics. I know. And I’m pretty sure I could have found something for the winter version, but this hit my feed a month ago and I don’t want to wait any longer.
Remember, with things posted on Friday in particular, if you don’t swallow, you can’t blame me for failing to warn you.
Clowns come in all forms. They’re highly skilled artists. Don’t try this at home. Unless, you know, you’re a clown. And you know what you’re doing.
When I first started watching The Tonight Show, Johnny Carson sat in the driver’s seat and I always imagined what life would be like when I got on the show. That never happened, of course.
Jay Leno first appeared on the show as a stand-up comic in 1977 (the year I started high school). Here’s the clip from that first appearance.
There was never, ever, a time in my life when Johnny hadn’t hosted the show…until 14 years later, that is.
Jay was preparing to take over for Johnny, who was finally ready to retire after thirty years with The Tonight Show. But not before Johnny had David Letterman on to discuss the change in regime. Raucous hilarity ensues.
Those of us who are still here are a lot grayer, but Leno’s done what relatively few men or women have managed. And I still haven’t been called to the hot seat. What’s up with that? Maybe I’ll have better luck with Jimmy Fallon. You never know.
[An aside – internet outages and college classwork may interfere with getting these posted on schedule. I’m back in the ‘net for now. Hope it stays that way for a while. I’ve got homework to do!]
And we’re back with Lizzie Mae, once again, as she tackles the question of Abolition from her own unique perspective.
We’re entering Black History Month in short order. I figure some reminding is in order, while we remember why slavery’s end and equal rights are important.
Remember: The questions are real (and shameful). The names have been changed to protect the guilty.
Okay, so technically this isn’t a Twofer Tuesday in the traditional (?) sense, but it’s my blog and I can do what I want.
Back when Saturday Night Live was a new thing, they featured Kate Bush doing both Wuthering Heights and another song from The Kick Inside. The first version is the one I remember from that introduction to her music. (I have all her albums and I’ve snagged more of her videos for featuring this year.)
So when someone started circulating the parody Noel Fielding did for Comic Relief, I was surprised to discover the second version of the music video was also on YouTube, and darned if he wasn’t dead-on accurate.
Here’s Kate’s version (Number Two):
And here’s Noel’s. I’d put the coffee mug down if I were you:
I can’t resist banjo music and this song. This creepy version, (clip from Deliverance) won the 1974 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance (according to Wikipedia). The film also received a bunch of Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. Considering this year’s Academy Award nominations hit the street at 8:30am EST today, seems appropriate for Throwback Thursday.
But wait. There’s more. Thanks, Steve Martin! (No, not this one…)
I used to say the only stupid question is the one you don’t ask. I’ve revised that line of thinking, thanks to Lizzie Mae.
These first started hitting my feed around the end of last year, and I meant to get to them, but I didn’t, until around mid December when I was already deep in Advent Calendar Land. It’s embarrassing, sitting there, howling all by yourself. I wanted to share with the rest of the world. And now I am. Look for more of these throughout the next few months.
The saddest (most hilarious) part is that these responses are based on real life.
From the credits:
Ask A Slave is a comedy web series based on the actress’ time working as a living history character at [a popular historic site]. Starring Azie Dungey as Lizzie Mae and directed by Jordan Black.
All questions and interactions are based on true events.
Totally NSFW & more than a little bit racist, but still funny! I caught a documentary on Jeff Dunham’s work as a ventriloquist and comedian, and I know exactly what I’m posting here. Hurt myself laughing the first time I watched it.
Language is seriously unsafe for work (and questionable for a Sunday posting), but it’s darn funny.
Three days left to 2013. Far as I’m concerned, the year can’t end fast enough.
Launching into the countdown to Epiphany with this classic take on the reality of an actual 12 days of Christmas (in gifts).
Watch and listen at your own risk. And be sure to swallow the eggnog first.
Been a long day, and I’m posting early so I can finally get an actual 8 hours of sleep. Hope you have/had a fabulous Winter Holiday of Your Choice. Enjoy your Boxing Day.
This tradition has been in my family for the last 17 years, and I’m not letting go of it now. In fact, it’s my duty as a good blogger to share it with you.
But here’s the really REALLY cool thing, from Arlo himself (via Facebook):
“This is the current interior of Old Trinity Church, where once a long time ago, lived my dear friends, Alice & Ray Brock. A little over 20 years ago we purchased and reconsecrated the old building and created an Interfaith Church and Educational foundation.
As part of our commitment to “Feed Everyone” every year (in fact every week throughout the year), there will be many people coming to our tables. Our friends, neighbors and local businesses volunteer as always to provide the best food available to anyone and everyone (until we run out). We do lots of other great things too!
From our hearts to yours whoever and wherever you are – Happy Thanksgiving! And if you want to know more or maybe even help us out, check out our website: https://guthriecenter.org
No matter what, though, my Thanksgiving is not complete without at least one viewing of this absolutely classic gem from WKRP in Cincinnati. The original episode, viewable on IMDB/Hulu, originally aired on October 30, 1978. in my not so humble opinion, Turkeys Away remains one of the top five absolute all time best sitcom episodes ever.
Here’s the pertinent clip, leading to THE Thanksgiving quote of the (last) century, from Arthur Carlson, WKRP General Manager: “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”
Okay, folks. Buckle your seatbelts again. Turbulence in store for the next few days as we drift all too quickly toward the Holiday Season ™.
From here until the end of November, we’re in unpredictable territory.
Unpredictable. As in Rowan Atkinson as a lounge singer, singing with…Kate Bush?!?
Found this while collecting items for my Kate Bush week, a while back. The only predictable thing about this week’s going to be the unpredictability of this week.
Didn’t expect that, did you? Well, of course, no one expects…
One more Muppet clip, because I can. Besides…Who can resist the Swedish Chef? Really?
Pumpkin carving – another annual ritual abused horribly by the Chef.
The Muppet Studios clips – almost all of them designed to help pump up Muppet popularity in advance of The Muppets (2011) – resulted in some selections of sheer genius. Also hugely popular viral videos.
We’re counting down the days to Halloween. One more week to go (a mere six days left).
When I first launched this Blog, I was finding stuff more or less on my own. In the last several months, folks have started sending me material they were sure I’d like. I love that, because it means folks are paying attention and because I don’t get to see everything that’s out there.
The clip below is one such submission. After highlighting Abbott and Costello way back in July, I got a message saying I just had to see this. So, by sharing, I get to pass the love on to you.
Yes! This, folks, is THE RSC (that is, the Reduced Shakespeare Company, an in-joke you get best when you’ve had ANY exposure to the London theatre scene). Not to be confused with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Really.)
I attempted to see this show when I was there in 1992, but by the time I found the darkened corner of the West End, we were halfway through the show and I hate walking in late. Fortunately, they’ve been to the Kennedy Center multiple times, and now I have the (autographed – HAH!) script of the show. Of course, it’s not as zany (or as wet, if you sit near the front of the stage) but I’ll take it anyway.
Another compilation of Shakespeare’s complete catalog, warts and all.
I’d suggest watching this quick, before someone figures it out that the show’s posted on YouTube. And, well, because it’s funny as hell, too.
While searching for material to highlight, I’ve discovered a wealth of cinema – full length movies – on YouTube. These aren’t your First Run favorites. Rather, they are groundbreaking, silent era, modern animation, thought-provoking documentary or fascinating takes on real world life.
We start with Buster Keaton’s 1926 classic, The General.
I was tempted to feature Chaplin’s The Gold Rush (1925) or Harold Lloyd’s Safety Last (1923), but this one caught my attention first.
I’m studying film and what makes it so effective as a medium. Netflix has a lot of what I’m watching, but not all. And the wonder of YouTube is that it takes the whole process and puts it in your hands. As we’ll see later this week, some of the results of that control are simply amazing.
If you’ve never taken the time to watch a silent classic, here’s a great place to start. In fact, make the time to watch all three. They’re among my favorites.
The strangest music video I’ve seen in a long time. And I will point out I’ve been a fan of the music video genre since Saturday Night Special became Friday Night Videos and MTV still played music.
And so, we leave Steve Martin (at least, for the moment), and move on tomorrow to a totally different kind of performance art.