Bugs Must Not Bee Alone

This year the Flaming Lips had a YouTube contest were Tubers could make their own video submissions for a chance to win tickets the The New Years Eve concert in LA and Dance onstage with thte lips. My roommate and I love the Flaming Lips so we put on sequins/duct tape and ran around the city like the freaks that we are.

As part of our Sunday entertainment, we put together a Lips-esque music video instead of a more traditional shake what your momma gave you vid. Hoping, just hoping, that we will be cool enough to dance on stage with Wayne.

The Shins- Phantom Limb

In the spirit of the holiday season, this new Shins video reminds the populace of how easy life is now in comparison to yesteryear. Remarkably similar to the Jib Jab Year in Review, the Shins use the context of a school play to explore a vivid and public history. With children acting out graphic historic events, there are moments that you forget that A) these events actually happened and B) these are children playing with swords and dying in horrific ways.

Visually stunning, I find myself unable to fully appreciate the weight of these images when combined with the harmlessly melodic track.

Taking Back Sunday 12 Days of Christmas

Take a peek into the demented minds of Fred and Adam, two members of Taking Back Sunday, as they call out the senselessness of bird-gifting. This video is brilliantly animated and features giant blue elves, an ugly holiday sweater, and Donnie Bonaduce.

"The 12 Days of Christmas" is one of those songs that became a classic not because it has any music merit, but because it's obnoxiously long and easy to spoof. Taking Back Sunday’s unique rendition of the holiday carol is perfect example of how outrageous holiday songs can become.

French Maid TV

When I first heard about French Maid TV, I thought it was going to be some dumb excuse to watch boobs and some booty-shaking. But, as it turns out, the show is clever and actually kind of cute. The scripted podcast is a series of “How Tos” featuring three attractive French maids, offering advice on topics such as How to Register a Domain or How to Barter Online. These brooding babes don't just know how to work a feather duster; their advice is surprisingly web savvy.

Inter-cut with distractions and fun little asides, the latest episode of French Maid TV is an informative and eye-catching guide to sharing music with your friends. As fun as rock climbing and potato sack races are, I love how the French maids are trying to stay connected with the Holla girls. Being from complete opposite sides of the world, who knew they had anything in common?

And that guy being held under arrest... just happens to be Alex from Diggnation. I wonder how hard it was to convince him to put down his laptop for long enough to be held in contempt? Seriously, it’s impressive to see any web personality actually part from his or her computer. Even if there are sexy ladies involved.

Justin Timberlake on SNL

This weekend, Timberlake hosted SNL, and it was actually entertaining. I will admit I have always thought that Timberlake took himself a little too seriously. Maybe it was because he was the lead singer of a hot-to-trot boy band or because he got REALLY mad that time he was Punk'd, but Timberlake always seemed a little self-involved and just... not funny.

Apparently, I might have been a little harsh, 'cause the boy's got some skills. Timberlake's hosting duties this Saturday included battling Santa for charitable donations while dressed as a giant Cup of Noodle, digging up some early 90’s raps like Salt 'N Pepa’s "Shoop" in order to do so. After Timberlake dressed up as a dolphin during a Flaming Lips concert, it's clear that the public doesn’t mind the pop star covering up that hot bod is a big plushie suit. But while he man-dressed-like-soup shock value is definitely worth your time, that's not the only reason to watch. Turns out that Timberlake is actually kind of funny.

The End of Sam

From the very first episode, viewers of Sam Has 7 Friends knew that Samantha Breslow was going to die today.The eighty-episode "season" of Sam Has 7 Friends is the collaborative effort of four separate directors, each of whom weaves his own story line into the overarching plot; the series follows Sam’s acting career, her best friend, her cheating boyfriend, and her ex whom she still loves. Read more

Nuckin Futs- A JibJab Year In Review

The latest addition to the JibJab pop culture collection proves that the world is, indeed, Nuckin Futs.If you were cryogenically frozen earlier this year and just woke came out of a deep-seeded coma, JibJab’s “Year in Review” will guide you through '06. Google buying YouTube, Brangelina reproducing, and the Dems winning the Senate -- this elaborate animated dance number has it all... Read more

Slob Evolution

A response to the wildly popular Dove Evolution campaign, this video deconstructs the sharp, emaciated features of a male model. Watch as the rocker-esque model transforms into “that guy” who lives next door and never leaves the sofa.

Would you really want to see an ad for this lard-o plastered across your fair city? Created by the campaign against real life, this viral argues that consumerism has created the current standard of unattainable beauty. In reality, nobody wants to see the guy next door, except when he is getting the morning paper and cordially saying hello. So maybe, just maybe, the computerized falsehoods that advertisements project are in everyone's best interest....

Matt Damon Does Matthew McConaughey

Who knew a Southie from Boston could a do such an effective Texas Accent? Not me. Last night on Letterman, The Departed star ad-libbed McConaughey’s southern charm and willingness to appear shirtless in some behind-the-scenes commentary. To my knowledge, Damon has never worked on a flick that required him to learn some Texas slang. So this is no pre-packaged Brokeback accent. The man’s got talent. Just admit it.

High Tide

A series of animated paintings, this visual decoupage evokes fear of being swallowed by a world filled with harsh realities and unfamiliar places.

Jetset

Created by Zadi Diaz and Steve Woolf, Jetset is a weekly teen culture web show that highlights cool and often geeky things found on and offline. Dedicated to using web vision as a communication tool, Jetset focuses “on teen life and interests as it relates to today's global online culture.”

Though the show may target to teens, there is some thing universal about Jetset’s quality programming that appeals to a much larger audience. By combining issues of insecurity, angst, and morality with a fun-fictional vibe, Jetset makes note of important issues without preaching or talking down the people who may suffer from them.

A great example of the “actions speak louder than words” attitude of the show can be found in their latest episode. Zadi and Steve address personal debt and video game addiction in such a fictionally disguised manner that I barely caught on to the implications. Personally, I thought the video game detox sequence was brilliant. And with the Wii and the new Xbox coming out this holiday season, I may have to enlist some of my friends. Click here to watch

Brookers Identity Theft

Well gee-golly, it looks like Brookers has found her way back into the spotlight. In her new video, Brookers returns to the spontaneous, whacky shtick that the YouTube community fell in love with. Adding a YouTube-loving twist to the popular Citibank identity theft commercials. In this video, her second to be released this month, it appears that the ce-web-rity may be on the company payroll...Click here to read more

Trapped in the CLAUSet

A hilarious holiday take on R Kelly's 12 part "hip-opera" music video, this claymation features Santa after a long day at the factory. Coming home to a scantily clad Mrs. Clause, Santa finds out if his loving, cup-cake-baking wife has been naughty or nice.
Also here's the links for Part Two and Part Threeof "In the Clauset". Warning: part one is the most PC off the three episode, two and three are not for the easily offended.

Illeanarama "Supermarket of the Stars"

After seeing this clip on YouTube most viewed list, I got giddy with anticipation for a celebrity-ridden web series. This first “episode” stars Illeana Douglas, an actress with the unique face that I have seen in many shows and movies but can’t quite place where or when.

Setting the scene for more episodes to come, the series follows actress Illeana Douglas' fictional adventures after she retires from showbiz to work at the local supermarket.

For a more in depth look into Illeanarama, check out the article I wrote for the Daily Reel.

Letterman Drops A 300lb. Safe On A Buick

I'm pretty sure this recurring bit on the Letterman Show is executed with the utmost safety, but...

Can you imagine walking to the corner deli, minding your business, only to see something plummet ten stories to the ground? Did I just really see that 300-pound safe fall of a building and onto a car? Or was I too busy listening to my iPod and dodging pedestrian traffic to care?

Well known for his pointless and absurd segments, Letterman has been destroying things in the name of comedy for a while now. His last-laugh humor has lead to the destruction not only safes but a variety of household items, by methods including explosives, steamrollers, and - most frequently - throwing them off the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater.

What’s next Dave? I really just can’t wait. I’d love to see you throw a snowman off the roof into a pile of presents or maybe a tuba into a vat of Jell-O.

Xbox 360 - Halo 3 ad

I’m sure the children in this new spot aren't dreaming of the anticipated Spring 2007 release of Halo 3, but every gamer I know sure is. Taking full advantage of the power of Xbox 360™, Halo 3 expands on everything that has made the Halo franchise great, and reportedly adds a wealth of technical and gameplay advancements.

Though this ad fails to divulge much more than a brief hints at what the new Halo may look like, imagine the possibilities. The Xbox360 system is a like a rendered version of reality. Not to mention, Halo is a cultural phenomenon that even a non-gamer can appreciate. The multi-player fight for your life and the future of existence video game has spawned action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel, and even a film adaptation.

With HD visuals and new weapons and challenges, Halo 3 will mark the return of the Master Chief, bringing the epic conflict between the Covenant, the Flood, and the entire human race to a dramatic, pulse-pounding climax. According to an official announcement on the developers' website, Halo 3 will end the current story arc of the Halo trilogy. End?! Never! Ask any gamer -- the man-on-man, futuristic military madness will never end.

Galacticast - Superman I.V

Galacticast is a weekly web series that claims to parody all the worlds of geek-dom. The show's creators and stars, Rudy Jahchan and Casey McKinnon, write, shoot, and edit this larger-then-life web series in their studio apartment. Using a green screen, a camera, and a couple of lights, the sci-fi comedy brings a Lucas-esque quality to the viral video scene.

After launching in May of 2006, Galacticast continues to gain recognition from the vlogosphere for its well-scripted episodes and use of basic effects programs to create a vivid fictional world. In the spirit of Galaxy Quest, the comedy series developed as a mash-up of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, comic book, and video-game references into sketch comedy spoofs.

This week’s episode references Superman and the Common People video “Zod Speaks from the Phantom Zone.” Some fans are calling this episode one of Galacticast’s best videos to date; with fellow podcasters (the Ray brothers and the Bui brothers) appearing as talking heads at the beginning of the episode, how could it not be?

Amy Poehler Rants About Britney

Oh Baby, Baby... unless you've been living under a cyber rock, it is becoming increasingly hard to run away from stories that include Hollywood’s glamour girls sans panties.

Apparently, the paparazzi got the memo that when our fave gossip gals get in and out of their limos, it is likely that they will appear less then lady-like. After Lohan accidentally exposed her “self” a few weeks ago, Britney had to one up her new “friends” by becoming a repeat offender in the tabloid hall of shame.

This weekend Amy Poehler dug into Britney Spears for exposing her “baby factory” in public. Besides stating the obvious -- that Britney has been paling around with Paris Hilton while her one-month baby is at home -– Poehler continues to recap the failure of the pop star to comply with hair-down-there expectation. “There was a time when a lady garden was as big as a slice of New York pizza,” says Poehler. Way to tell it like it is!

Polytechnic - Man Overboard

Haunted by the howling of backup vocals and the repetitive pulse of the piano, this new track from the UK band Polytechnic has been named NME’s track of the week. The popular UK music mag NME describes Man Overboard as “a hypnotic marching anthem for dreamers on woozy prescription pills.”

With their album dropping in UK stores today, the Polytechnics' new track sounds a bit like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with a raging hangover. According to Stockard Channing of Stereogum, “the first time we bumped into Manchester's Polytechnic, we just couldn't get over just how much Clap Your Hands Say Yeah came through in the band's sound. It wasn't just in the nasal, Alec affectations; it was in the use of bass as melody mover, the simple, snare and closed-hat indie beats.”

Regardless of the song's inspiration, this video is beautifully traumatic and we love the dapper sparrow. With the urban sprawl devastating the half-man-half-bird's very being, the ink-on-paper animation style is as gritty as it is mesmerizing.

Rolling Rock's Gone Ape

When Bud and MGD are bigger sellers and can afford the high price of TV spots, what is a small higher-quality brewery to do? With excessive competition in the funny, original beer ads category, Rolling Rock's answer was to cause controversy.

Last week, Rolling Rock posted this funny, bikini-clad advert for Rolling Rock on the web. To get consumers looking for the ape spot, the brewing company also started to run an ad on TV that pretended the ape spot had created controversy.

My personal qualm: The web ad isn't nearly provocative enough to be pulled from television. I feel like people who go to the web looking for this ad will feel gypped, by its friendly and not even mildly offensive nature.

Give My Regards to Doogie

Good thing Doogie came out of the closet, because this musical outburst on The Megan Mully Show may have raised a few eyebrows otherwise.

Who knew that my favorite drunk from Will and Grace had her own daytime Talk Show? Or that it was still on the air? The show claims to combine the classic talk and variety shows and feature a mix of celebrities, real people, music and comedy. And this clip that includes CBS's How I Met You Mother’s cast proves all of the above.

Earlier this week, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel broke out in operatic song, performing "Confrontation" from Les Miserables. With very little encouragement needed to convince these seasoned actors to put on a show, I love how seriously the duo belts out their favorite show tune. A big fan of Segal on Freaks and Geeks, I couldn’t stop laughing at his serious, quasi-professional performance.

Chris Rock Predicts OJ Simpson’s Almost Book Title

This was the very first sketch on the very first episode of HBO's "Chris Rock Show" from about ten years ago.

Yet another example of how and public figures creative work can resurface via the power of YouTube; this clip is a friendly reminder of how completely outrageous the celeb-tells-all book could have been.

I will admit the first forty seconds seems unbearable – mostly due to the decade old humor. But, is it at all possible that the creator of the Simpson book pulled the title from this brilliant comedy sketch? I’m guessing not, but Rock’s humor was clearly ahead of its time.

The Rock Show, which featured the popular comedian's interviews with celebrities and politicians, gained critical acclaim during its three-season run on HBO.

Related: OJ Simpson- "If I Did It" and Fox News Reports OJ SImpson Story & Book Cancellation

I’m to Busy Blogging

This short is hilarious, mostly because it is my life - and probably the life of any other online editor – in a nutshell.

Who would've ever thought blogging was this hectic? There have definitely been times that I've ignored the world because I was “blogging.” Fashion trends come and gone, major news broken, celebrities walked by, and I was too busy to notice.

Even more ridiculous is the tone in which this guy says the word “blogging;” he says it like eight times in one minute and I just couldn't stop laughing. “Um..sorry, I’m blogging.. can’t you do that I’m blogging…Send that to my voicemail. I’m blogging here.” So funny. Also, who in the internet biz actually wears a suit any more? My suggestion: put on some jeans and some Chucks and get a latte, Bud. Because in this web savvy world there is a whole lot of blogging to be done!

Nobody's Watching Friends

Does any one else feel gypped? I can’t believe that I spent 10 years watching the sitcom that Derek and Will highlighted in 90 seconds. In this hilarious short, the characters some how manages to establish all major plot developments and the characters reactions to them.

Nobody's Watching is a scripted web series conceived by Bill Lawrence, the creator of "Scrubs" and "Spin City." Originally intended for television, Nobody's Watching broke the two cameras and a stage sitcom and fleshed out the characters of Derek and Will, two young guys from Ohio who were so over television that they decided to make their own comedy show.

In this episode, Derek and Will play all of the characters in the Friend’s cast. Though all of quirky dramatizations are effective, the Jennifer Aniston bit cracks me up.


Related: Nobody's Watching the Emmys

Bush Girls Gone Wild

There isn’t enough ink to cover this disaster. After Barbra’s purse was stolen last week, the Bush twins became a hot topic in both Argentinean and American headlines.

With reports of lax security and tabloid tales of nude hotel romps, the twins 25th Birthday celebration is turning into a cluster of should-they-stay-or-should they go headlines.

It was reported that after losing her phone and credits cards U.S. embassy officials "strongly suggested" President Bush's twin daughters, Jenna and Barbara Bush, cut short their trip to Buenos Aires. The American embassy refuted this claim by releasing a statement that "the embassy welcomes the visit and has provided close support and cooperation."

Regardless of the safety of the twins and the impact that there visit has been making in the lives of media thirty consumers. With splashy photos of their appearance Sunday at a big soccer match and breathless coverage of their dinner out when a fire engulfed a nearby building, it is clear that these Bush girls have Gone Wild. This user-gen mash up claims to show "the real reason the Bush twins were asked to leave Argentina"

Cingular: You'll Run Your Bill Up

Over the past decade, A Christmas Story has become the holiday films that you just can’t help but watch. Airing hundreds of times during the holiday season the film has developed a cult following. With classic lines like “You’ll shot your eye out kid” and “Frag-i-le, must be Italian” seeping into the mainstream, the movie is referenced year round and making it a cultural institution.

A spin on Ralphie’s constant nagging and the film’s classic quote “You’ll shot you eye out kid,” this cell phone commercial ads a modern twist by combining footage from the movie with newly recorded voiceover. This Christmas, Ralphie wants a Motorola phone “with texting, games, and graphics.” The adult response to his Christmas wishes is “You’ll run the bill up.” It’s a good thing Cingular cell phone came to Ralphie’s rescue, otherwise he may start asking for a such hard to find gifts and a PSP or Nintendo Wii.

House of the Rising Sun

The first song since 1962 by a British band to hit #1 in America that was not written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, this soulful ballad has been covered by major recording artists for at least four decades. About a brothel in New Orleans, "The House Of The Rising Sun" seems much darker than these men in matching suits appear to represent.

With generations passing since this song was recorded by The Animals, its word have become timeless and its melody is still haunting. The who-sang-it and where-are-they-now was never relevant in my mind. I had formulated my own perception of its origin: desert cowboys passing along stories and the long and torture road, the sun beating down on them as they ride into the horizon. Or maybe a band of men tainted by the inner city street, with dark secrets and tainted smiles.

The power of YouTube has put a face to the voice that haunts me and added a context to the song that defined a generation. I am not sure if this newly discovered knowledge was an informed remedy for my disillusions or an unwanted end to my imagination.

Borat Before He Was Borat

This video is a pre-Borat character named Christoph who is from Albania. This British TV spot is more than eight years old but features the same kooky guy, same suit, same thick enunciated accent that audiences have been crazed about.

This news-style story about Sasha Baron Cohen’s pre- Borat character is a flashback to Ali G “before he was massive.” As hilarious as this behind this vintage behind-the-scenes is, I think it is a statement about the culture of "Infotainment." Even in this early story about comedies “it” guy, Cohen's pre-Borat reporter to basically allowed to report on himself.

With the release of the Borat movie, several legit news sources, such as CNN, The New York Times, and Fox News, have let Cohen’s Borat come on for an interview in character. With Cohen sticking to his character for nearly a decade, the real question becomes where does Borat end and Cohen begin?

PMS Survival Tips

A parody of 1950 educational and government propaganda videos this short by has been passed from inbox to inbox. Copyrighted in 2003, this PMS how-to has only been online for a week. With a million and a half views on YouTube, this is one of the most commented and linked to video online. And why shouldn’t it be? It is absolutely frightening.

Offering tips in “home etiquette” when dealing with the dreaded PMS (Prehistoric Monster Syndrome), this clever short is a spoof on both vintage propaganda and the horror of the everyday.

iPod Shuffle

A welcome accessory to any outfit, the new shuffle is small enough to clip to any shirt of pocket; you'll forget it's even there. Just in time for the holiday season, this gigabyte-sized mp3 player can play up to 12 hours of continuous music and weighs about a half an ounce.

For this new spot, Apple abandoned their rockstar attitude and went with an anyone/anywhere vibe. A fresh change from previous iPod campaigns, this ad features a composite of torsos putting on different layers of clothes and attaching an iPod shuffle to them.

Another obvious change from iPod’s previous ad campaign, the song Who's Gonna Sing? by the Prototypes is in French. Roughly translated, the lyrics mean: "I really like what you're doing, I like your style, I like your game."

Michael Richards Paints It Black in "Whoops Apocalypse"

Honestly, I am tired of the “racist” debate, the real question is when does comedy stop and racism begin. Regardless of his personal views, Richards’ words were conceived in hatred, and hatred is not-so-funny.

It has been a little over a week since Richards’ slur slinging viral buzz hit the web and the buzz is still ringing. After being threatened by Jamie Foxx and hiring power-publicist Howard Rubenstein to handle the backlash of his candid camera video, Richards continues to apologize for his comments.

Along with his original rant and Letterman apology, this video clip of Richards playing a blind, back man in Whoops Apocalypse (1986) has been gaining popularity on YouTube.

His tirade -not funny- but some of the media surrounding it has been. This clip being a prime example, it is inevitable that at least once in his comedic career Richards would have portrayed the minority that he had so brutally offended. Another funny viral is this user-generated rap song that plays off of Richards quote “I’m not a racist, that’s what’s so insane about it.”

I think it is time to step back form the stone throwing and appreciate the plotline as a whole. Richards established himself a great comedian and a spastic character, Cosmo Kramer, who no matter how much trouble he has cause is ultimately forgiven. And just like his be-loved Seinfeld character, this guy is insane.

Smokung Fu

Who needs gum or a patch, when you can have your very own Kung Fu master to help you kick that dirty little habit.

First of all, any PSA with a man dressed up as a big fat cigarette with a cloud of smoke billowing from the top, will grab my attention. But when you mix a nicotine-clad man with a Karate master, you are just asking for trouble.

Via NoFatClips:

A PSA sponsored by California Department of Health Services. The spot was directed by Kevin Donovan (the director of The Tuxedo) at Form.

I will admit that in general, I have noticed that there are far less smokers in California than in New York. (Note: I feel like when you move to Manhattan, the local gov. gives you a complimentary carton and teaches you to inhale).

But after watching this video, I almost want to start smoking so that I can have my own Kung Fu master to help me quit.

You’re a Turkey

For all you young folks who might be finding yourselves at a hippie Thanksgiving, here’s a post-dated note from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Drugs are bad, and if you do them you are a Turkey. Not that this zinger makes any more sense than being called a goose or a pheasant, but I do remember the tragic year -- somewhere around '92 -- when the mention of the holiday bird somehow became a horrific slur. The only respectable come-back to which was “I know you are but what am I,” or “No you’re a turkey!”

So while you are cooking your bird of choice this holiday season, enjoy this Turtle-tastic PSA. And remember…Don’t be a Turkey.

Alice’s Restaurant Massacre

Sung by Arlo Guthrie, Alice’s Restaurant is possibly the only 20-minute song that I've ever heard on the radio.

Growing up in Massachusetts, this little Mass-a-cre would play on the classic rock station every year; listening to the painfully long broadcast became a family tradition. It's been several years since I left good old Mass, yet I can’t help but scavenge for the song every Turkey Day.

The song, which is more of a ballad, was written by Alro, son of folk legend Woody Guthrie, and released as the entire A-side of his first record in 1967. Based on a true story of warrants and trash-heap hauling, Guthrie’s song was made into a movie in 69.

Since many radio stations have stopped playing the song, this Thanksgiving tradition is honored on the web where the original recording of “Alice's Restaurant Massacre” is streamed on Turkey Day each year. Unable to find the song without buying the entire album, I opted for this festive little mash-up.

And if this cutesy collage is too much, there is also a live recording of Guthrie singing Alice.

Rumsfeld Charged with War Crimes and Prison Abuse

The Center for Constitutional Rights, a progressive human rights group, recently asked a German prosecutor to investigate Rumsfeld and other US military officials for controversial interrogation techniques at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.

The suit, which questions the Administration's knowledge of inhumane torture at Abu Graib, was brought to Germany because a "universal jurisdiction" law. Germany's "universal" law allows the German courts to claim jurisdiction over war crimes even if they were committed outside that country's borders.

In addition to the charges made by the CCR, American filmmaker and military veteran, Cyrus Kar, is filing an individual suit against Rumsfeld. After being held in solitary confinement for several months, Kar is seeking damages for a lack of due process and inhumane treatment at Abu Graib. The first private citizen to file criminal complaint, the US military veteran is suing Rumsfeld and other US officials for depriving him of his Constitutional Rights and violating the Geneva Convention.

Ruth Brown- Dies at Age 78

The 50’s R&B star, Ruth Brown died Friday at a Las Vegas-area hospital due to complications from a stroke and heart attack. Dominating the rhythm-and-blues charts in the 1950s, "Miss Rhythm" will be remembered for her soulful voice and historic music career.

A pioneer of the genre, Ruth Brown built the foundation of the fledgling Atlantic Records, making it the R&B powerhouse that it is today.

“Miss Rhythm” sang with power and personality that steamed from the soul of her generation. Honored recipient of a Tony, Grammy, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Brown will also be remembered for her role as the feisty deejay Motormouth Maybelle in the 1988 cult movie "Hairspray."

"Ruth was one of the most important and beloved figures in modern music," singer Bonnie Raitt said in an official statement released by the Associated Press. "You can hear her influence in everyone from Little Richard to Etta (James), Aretha (Franklin), Janis (Joplin) and divas like Christina Aguilera today."

Watch the R&B advocate and legend sing her 50’s chart topper (“Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean," a rare clip from the height of Brown’s stardom.
For more on Brown career, read the AP release.

Emmitt Smith Wins Dancing with the Stars

Last night in the Dancing with the Stars Season Finale, NFL legend Emmitt Smith beat former Saved by the Bell star, Mario Lopez.

With both competitors achieving a perfect ten for two consecutive dances on Tuesday Night, the nation was torn-- forced to vote and take sides between sitcom star AC Slater and the three-time Super Bowl champion who holds the world's all-time rushing record.

“He ‘s the cutest thing and just puts you in a good mood,” said on TDR staffer about her dance crush Emmitt.

It has always been rumored that some football players practice ballet to become more agile and in control, but no one could have guessed that the former Dallas Cowboy superstar could freestyle and be this good at it.

Over the course of the Dancing season, the nation has fallen in love with the Pro sweetheart all over again. A family man whose wife and kids come to support him off the field and on the dance floor, Emmitt’s personality and chemistry with his dance partner made him the Viewer’s choice.

Emmitt Smith, Congrats! I must admit you’ve got “moves that (we) have never seen” and America loves it.

Back Off Old Man

With the house turning over to the Democrats, the “Father” of our nation has to pony up to his father and a disapproving nation. In his Conservative news brief, Colbert discusses the Newsweek cover that our politically aware public couldn’t possibly ignore.

The first issue to hit the stands since the results of last week’s midterm election, the recent Newsweek cover depicts the presidential father-son pair with Bush senior as the dominating figure.

Though many bloggers and news publications have taken note of what this photo implies, Colbert brilliantly interjects subtle sarcasm-- via an imposing text box-- in his segment "The Word."

Watch as Colbert debates which “Father Knows Best”.

Walmart's Selling Hipster T-shirts with Nazi Emblem

Have you ever pulled an image from the web without knowing its origin, historical or otherwise? I certainly have.

Recently, a blogger from Maryland, realized that a skull t-shirt being sold at Walmart was actually silk-screened image of “Death Heads.” Members of the German Nazi SS wore The Death’s Head -- an historic image of hatred that has been over-shadowed by the swastika -- symbol during WWII.

Aware that a media conglomerate won’t even sell CD’s with curse words on it, Rick, from the blog Bent Corner, informed the nearest employee of the history implications of the design. Apparently the employee didn’t think the shirt was that “big a deal” and was more bothered by shirts promoting the, "sexually promiscuous Smokey and the Bandit."

According to the Consumerist, four days after Walmart's PR firm promised the item's removal, the t-shirts bearing Nazi SS imagery could still be found on the shelves.

The news broke online late last week and I just happened to stumble across this video over the weekend. A sketch from Mitchell and Webb showcases the symbol and pokes fun at the origin of the Nazi emblem. Maybe the designer knew what he was doing after all.

Xbox Cops and Robbers

In a closed course-game of “good guys” and “bad guys”, every one has a chance to put on a badge or ski mask and wreak havoc. Weaving through traffic and jumping off buildings, at the end of round one… they switch? Is this what people did before the advent of 3D video games?

This made-for-TV game of hide-and-seek is nothing short of child’s play. Created for Microsoft's Xbox 360 “Jump In” campaign, this spot shows a group of adults playing a full-scale game of cops and robbers.

Kids, don’t try this at home.

New Simpsons Movie Trailer

In a time when computer animation brings us worlds of unsurpassed beauty, one film dares to be ugly.
With the rising trend in animation being glossy comedies such as A Sharks Tale and the Bee Movie, this trailer for The Simpsons movie reminds 3D hungry consumers that some cartoons are better left undone.

Perhaps having realized the lucrative market for animated films in which talking cartoon creatures, voiced by celebrities, have touching and hilarious family-saving adventures, the good people behind The Simpsons finally get around to bringing Springfield to the big screen.

With clips from the new film circulating online, the official trailer aired on Fox yesterday during The Simpsons episode. My favorite part is when Homer is stuck between a rock and a hard place!

Starvelliance

A sneak peak at the new half-hour comedy series from the creator of MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch.

This teaser is a paparazzi-posing portrayal of Ashton and Demi's first date. According to E!

"Starveillance takes a hilarious jab at celebrities and pop culture through claymation re-enactments of both real events and events that 'may' have happened. Picking up where gossip mags leave off, Starveillance gives viewers a fly-on-the-wall perspective on these wacky re-enactments, including marriage proposals, intimate bedroom arguments, off-camera antics and more"

The E! Entertainment Television series premieres in January but select clips are available on broadband channel The Vine @ E! Online and select media sharing sites

Office Space Re-cut

As if the monotony of working in an office wasn’t horror enough, WTM re-cut "Office Space" into a slasher/thriller trailer.

This mash-up proves that a trailer can take any movie highlight it in a way that is completely unfaithful to it’s actually plot and context.

A huge fan of the mid-life crisis flick, I am amazed at the effectiveness of this high-suspense Boiler Room-esc cut by WhatTheMaynard.

With corporate bosses applying the smack down and a torturous red streamline-stapler, could a full-length feature could be nearly as successful as this witty office comedy?

Watch as Initech turns deadly.

Silent Night: Direct TV Ad

The tales of Christmas are full of mean-spirited who are overwhelmed by the joy and spirit of the holiday. From Scrooge to the Grinch, there are several selfish and sinister men who are changed by the gift-giving holiday.

This commercial for Direct TV builds on the plot that magical transformations take place during the holiday season. In a manner that is horrifically wrong, the angelic Christmas song Silent Night is juxtaposed with frightful film icons transformed into sensitive man.

The satellite provider not only tries to sell the idea that everyone is good, but they would be even better if they could watch their favorite movie on demand.

IMVU

This new instant messaging system that allows its users to create a 3D version of themselves that can interact virtually with other users.

IMVU is currently in the beta stage.Created by video game developer, Will Harvey, the new chatting system allows users to customize a 3D model of themselves (called an avatar) that can interact with others in user-created environments.

Membership to the service is free with every new member receiving 1000 credits to purchase clothes, furniture, and other virtual society "must haves." Once the thousand runs out, users must pay for any additional item via a pay per credit system. (Example: that table lamp cost two credits and at 50 cents a credit, users are dropping a dollar on 3D swag.)

Personally, I find this new method of communication a little too interactive. Users can engage in actions such as kissing, hugging, fighting, flirting, dancing and even doing the nasty (with consent and for a price). It is going to be the Sims with real people behind each computer-generated cog. I wonder how long it is going to take for the insecurities and perversions of the real world to rub off in this new medium.

The Darkside

This commercial for a Star Wars movie marathon on Cinemax takes an already overplayed Coldplay song and meshes it together with some sensitive clips from the sci-fi epic that needs no introduction.

This Cold Play ballad lacks the suspense and the good vs. evil conflict that the legendary film series was built on. And even worse, the commercial is for Cinemax, the channel that after 10 turns into skin-amax, and has very little respect my the film community as it is.

This should not be allowed. Will the commercial madness ever stop?

Flag Makeover

Flag Makeover is Barats and Bereta's first video in over a month. The duo has been MIA from YouTube's Most Watched and Top Rated charts since they signed with NBC. Prior to the deal, they were Top o' the Tube for several weeks at a time and just about every new B&B video was an instant hit.

After thier brief hiatus, Berats and Bereta already found their way back to the top of the Most Discussed and Top Favorites charts. With its noticeably augmented budget and a less ambitious story line, Flag Makeover gives Berats and Bereta fans fleeting hope that the comedy team may not be to cool for YouTube after all.

Studio 60 Lives

Despite rumors that the show would be canceled, last night NBC announced an order for an nine additional episodes of the new drama “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”

Here’s the opening clip from the series that stars Matthew Perry, Amanda Peet, and Bradley Whitford.

After Fox 411 gossip Roger Friedman started the rumors about Studio 60 getting canceled, the backstage drama about a Saturday Night Live-esc television show will finish out the season.

The first new drama from Aaron Sorkin since he created the award-winning “West Wing,” Studio 60 has been one of the most talked-about series of the fall season.

After suffering a flux in ratings, Studio 60 seems to have settled with a steady crowd of loyal viewers. But rumor has it that the shows day and time slot are still subject to change.

Ed Bradley Dies

Ed Bradley , 65,died yesterday at Mount Sinai Medical Center of complications from chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

According to doctors, Bradley learned of his leukemia “many years ago,” but his condition had rapidly deteriorated over the last few weeks.

The longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent fought a silent battle. Close colleagues, including Mike Wallace, did not know that Mr. Bradley had leukemia.

Winner of 19 Emmy’s and a lifetime achievement award, Bradley reported on war, scandal, and devastation. His most notable interviews include Timothy McVeigh, Michael Jackson, Robin Williams, and Lena Horne.

Rome Hartman, the Executive Producer of CBS news announced this morning on "First Look" that Lesley Stahl and her "60 Minutes" team are working on a story on Bradley's career for tonight's newscast.

Windy Miller Oats

Willy, the claymation character from the British TV series Camberwick Green, has viewers "choking on their breakfasts," in the TV commercial for Oatso Simple porridge.


I had to watch this one a few times to realize that the farce revolves entirely around a crazy naked uncle. Much like the opening to the second Austin Powers movie, the creators of this "natural" oatmeal ad had to find creative ways to cover his private parts.

It is hard to tell if there is any real "flashing" involved, though The Mirror claims that "Windy accidentally revealed Guber's big secret when he moved a bowl from the microwave." There's definitely an extra piece of Plasticine in his nether regions," said one viewer. Quaker Oats, who made the advert, said there have been no official complaints so far.

Renetto Expresses His Thoughts on Commercialization

Even the YouTube "celebrities" are drowning in the content being streamed by NBC, CBS, and YouTube's many corporate channels. Can a guy with a Mac book and an idea compete with YouTube’s sponsored channels? He can’t and he won’t.

Over the past few months, Renetto and many other popular vloggers have found a home on YouTube, helped others see how valuable this new technology is, and stood up for what they believed in.

In his latest video, Renetto addresses Chad and Steve, the founders of YouTube, and expresses his personal view on the future of YouTube. Watch as Renetto vents about commercialization and the effect that sponsored channels have had on the YouTube community.

The Papdits

CBS began streaming a new online comedy/reality hybrid show called The Papdits on its broadband channel Innertube. From the writer and producer of the Da Ali G Show, The Papdits is “a docu-comedy about a family from Kashmir and their interactions with Americans as they travel through the U.S.”

The comedy/reality pilot, written and produced by Ant Hines, is about a fictional family from Kashmir and the members' interactions with real Americans as they travel cross-country in their RV. The Papdits was originally developed for Fox in late '04. CBS planned revive the show last year but decided it wasn't a "mainstream show."

With the attention that Borat generated online prior to the film's release, it is only fitting that Hines’s prior work lives here in the viral “mainstream.”

Update: Full episodes that were availible on YouTube this morning have recently become private

K-Fed Gets the News

What! Can you imagine being in an interview, hooked up to a wire, sitting in a room full of people and BAM! divorce. Who does that? And why is it on YouTube?

I thought an email or a message on an answering machine would be the wrong way to go. But this is disgusting. A text message! Who does that?

MOD was shooting a behind the scenes with the "rapper" on the eving the papers were filed and they seem to think that they got his office notice live on tape:

Much Music was filming a special on Kevin after his appearance on Much On Demand. This was the night before Britney filed for divorce, during dinner his demeanor changed after getting some text messages, he asked them to stop filming and didn't eat any of the food he ordered.

I don't get it. Was she sitting at home, babies in the bathtub with a pint of Ben & Jerry's on her lap, thinking to herself "I just can't do it any more. I have to tell him now." She whips out her Sidekick and Wham! K-Fed gets served.

I feel like a train crashed and everyone was ok, but you still can't stop thinking about it. This is a wreck. I don't care and neither should the web watching community.

Earlier: Oops Brit Did It Again!

Will Ferrell is Phantom

Has yet another blockbuster movie star taken to the Broadway stages? This clips isn't long enough to tell, but based on Ferrell's knowledge of the "Opera," it seems doubtful.



Monday night, Ferrell appeared on The Late Show with Letterman and broke into song.

My favorite funny man has never convinced me that he is a "serious" actor, but somehow he's an actor that should be taken seriously. And what is more serious than the Opera?

Phantom of the Opera isn't an opera-- it's a musical, and an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical to boot. It's still a bold move for Farrell -- who I have never seen break into song -- to take on this well-known Broadway show tune.

And what a voice...who knew Ferrell could sing? I will admit that the actor only seems to know the same 10 seconds of "Music of the Night" that plays on every radio station in New York more than twice a day. But Ferrell improvises and includes some unexpected details. Pretty fantastic!

Pre-School Political Ad

Not the most politically savvy journalist you’ll ever meet, politics seems a lot like pre-school to me. With all the mud sligging and cake walking, it seems that localized campaigns get more childish every year.

This campaign spoof convinced me once and for all that if local electoral candidate don’t get his or her way, they may through a temper tantrum or squirt milk out their nose.

Cinema Europa

Dek uploaded and wrote about this marketing piece about a week ago on NoFatClips but I like it so much that I wanted to rehash his informative take with some ideas of my own.Media Salles is a program supported by the Italian government that promotes "European cinema and its circulation at theatrical level." Yet, I feel like the images don't seem exclusively European to me.

Before I looked deeper into the origin of this clip, I thought that it was meant to reflect the Industrial Era in America. Maybe it's just my whistle-blowing American attitude, but the trains with dark smoke and the people crowding the theaters, made me think of every book that I have ever read about in the impact of film in the Industrial Age. The sexy, mysterious women and vaudville-esc humor of this beautifully painted advert may have also led me to that conclusion.

But still I'll admit I was so obviously wrong, this short was made to promote Cinema in Europe. Historically and intellectually, Italian cinema is held to high-regard as a genre and a taste maker. I am ashamed of my own ignorance and I fully support anything made promote and challenge the artistic standards of film worldwide.

Vietnam

I love the idea of this video, running away from men with cameras for faces.



The image of being chased down by these manbots has a dual implication for me. First, I thought of the paparazzi and that in order to obtain national fame, you must get used to being followed around by an entourage of cameras.

But then I realized that even without a lick of local or national fame for myself, I feel like I can't hide from people watching and wanted to know more. With the phenomenon of "real people are interesting" programming and the personalization of one's thought and ideas over the Internet, it’s easy to feel exposed and easy to tracked down.

I don't know too much about this band. Except that one of it's g-tar boy is a self-claimed
"hipster nerd that hates hipsters and nerds." And I think the song is repetitive and reminds me of something I have heard before (Note: being in LA myself, it is entirely possible that I have heard it live in some venue around town).

Over all, I give this video a B+. Highlight: I think the part where they are hiding in the bathroom is pretty fantastic.

Bollywood Thriller

And by thriller, I don't mean a fast-pasted, bad acting film genre. I'm talking the leather clad, hip gyrating, lurking in the shadows of the night Michael Jackson THRILLER!



I wonder what the lyrics to this song are? Is it Jackson or something different entirely.

But being an impressionable child of the 80's, I watched MJ's Thriller ten times over and couldn't resist miming his outrageous dance moves at the next Halloween Bash.

The dance moves and the crowd of zombie followers is almost a DEAD match to the video that scared that pants off me as a child. Maybe I could tell then that one day MJ would grow up to be the monster that he portries in his video.

This Bollywood version is equally as fantastic. I love how the dance adapts to the cultural dance style of India rather than exactly coping the MJ moves.

And the face on this Bollywood stud is frightening...maybe he did learn something from MJ after all.

Vincent

Halloween is almost here. Check out one this unreleased Tim Burton short which happens to be one of my favorites.



I love this dark poetic piece. Created in 1982, there is something about it that reminds me of every film that Burton has ever has ever done.

Excluding the obvious style of claymation that Burton has crafted and made his own, there are brief moment when you giggle to yourself because an image reminds you of something, that you've seen some where, oh wait...it was in another Burton movie.

The part when Vincent taps his fingers reminds me of Edward Scissorhands and when I saw the smoke in the alley, my anxious mind was waiting for Catwoman to creep out.

I'm a big fan of Poe and Burton and the combination of the two (which I hear maybe happening again in the near future...let me guess, Johnny Depp?)

Another reason why I am enamored by this short is because the over imagination of a small child and clashed with a grim and almost violent twist. I was never that child, but knew a few who fit the character.

Is his dog's name really Abercrombie? Brilliant.

There is No "I" in Halloween

It's not easy being vampire pimp. This is actually a party invite for a Birthday Bash I went to a few weeks ago, but I love the vid and it makes me excited for Halloween.



A true tale about the dark creators that lurk in the night. My first thought, this dude looks like Christian Bale. And in this amazing vamp pad, he might as well be.

I may have watched this vid about a half dozen times since the party to get me in the mood for Halloween. And let it be known that being from Massachusetts, I take the holiday's cross dressing and ghost scaring seriously. People have died over this stuff.

When the hunky vamp pulls the fake vamp teeth out of his pocket, I almost died. A subtle spoof on "protection," he converts his hot lady friend for some all-out sloppy smooching. I could go on for another graph or so about the numorous reason that I love this video, but since I actually know these guys, I'm both partial and slightly nervous of them knowing my twisted inner thoughts.

I hear that originally there was a three in a half minute version that was just as spooktacular. I'm trying to convince them to let me have a sneak peek at the unreleased version. Love these guys!

Please comment and tell me what you think!

Tim Tom

This short from 2002 has been circulating the web for some time, but I love it.



I am a sucker for expressions…whether little kids, pets, or Garbo. I feel like there is something powerful in an unpainted stare or the explosive transformation of the cheeks and eyes when you laugh. For some equally captivating reason, having a notepad for a face makes it possible to convey the same meaning with just a few squiggles.

Tim and Tom are two little men (whose faces are in fact notepads!) trying to keep in touch each other. But the Creator (intended as the one who created them) tries very hard to interfere.

The animation overall is very polished and seemless yet the faces of these two men are simple but expressionistic. As a viewer you almost trust that each expression is planned to be meaningful, rather than preconcieved or unconscious.

I love when he uses the back side of his face to show the lightbulb. And the part where all of the scraps of paper are on the floor. Its almost like he was writing a novel (on the pad that is his face) and couldn't quite get the right word. I am personally a huge fan of post it, my favorite being the really small one's that can only fit about 15 words in pale muted colors.

After watching this short, I almost want to make a roll of simple Felicia faces sketched on post-its and display them on the back of the computer to show how I am feeling. Like today would be a focused with a dash of eager. We'll see how this turns out....

Don't be a Douche

This PSA sounds like it straight of of Jack Black's Tenecious D album, all it needs are some repetative G-tar cords to beef up the background.



Speaking of background, what is my dear friend Jack doing in this vid? Did he join the Union Grip's department (these are the guys who help adjust the lighting and mount stuff to well stuff...its sort of hard to define, but they are the meat of the set and the electricians are the potatoes. Together they make people and places look pretty and well light.)I was so distracted by the c-stand and flags that I couldn't quite focus on what Jack was saying. Flags...maybe thats it, pirate ships have flags maybe some one's off-sided humor thought it would be funny to make a obsure industry joke. Not so funny.

Don't be a douche, your a rock star turned actor Jack, and wouldn't make it a day as a grip or a pirate. Nice try tough, and I love the reading rainbow-esc star at the end.

For Real

I fell like this video by Okkervil River doesn’t match the song. Watching it several times, I took a moment to appreciate each part separately.



This video is trying to take two artistic mediums and throw them in a blender; instead of Margaritas they got and chunky clumps of paint trying desperately to attach to its favorite cord.

Refusing to give up on the video itself, I tuned out the song and played this video to several tracks in my music library. If you ignore the lipsynch and the band gratuitously appearing in the wilderness, the best match visual/audio match I could find was with “Free Until They Cut Me Down” by Iron and Wine.

Still not entirely satisfied I closed my eyes, listened to the song and visualized each idea. I can see where the creative content for this video may have stemmed from, but I fell like it would have been far more effective using black and white with a gritty texture, combining static landscapes with intimate close-Ups. Frantically lost with nowhere to turn, haunted by deamons while looking for some one to free you from the monster you hide inside. Heavy stuff. I like the song but I think they should give this video another go.

Test it out with your music library and tell me what you think...

Quote of the day:

"Videos are... kind of little pieces of me, of what I am, or at least they tell something about me. Like that mosaic images made up of other images."

Best McDonald's Commercial Ever

This is why McDonald's gives out toys and has the bright, colorful play gyms...so that you always remember how simple life was at age 5 when you were climbing up the slide, covered in chocolate milkshake.

The younger cuter version of myself used to love going and getting it a Chicken McNugget Happy Meal. The fact that my mom didn't want us to make a habit of it made the whole experience even better. McDonalds was a "special treat" only to be allowed when on the run or when my dad was out of town and my mom didn't want to cook.

As a child, there was never a care in the world when you trusted that clown and dined-in at the "golden arches".

I feel like this commercial capitalizes on the innocences of youth and the simplicity of life as seen by the eyes of naive children. But, I love it anyway. The image of one's inner child crawling out of his or her body is amazing. Plus,kids acting like grown-ups are always pretty darn cute.

Real Audio: Jack Palance

Mah-mah... I get gitty over anything that uses "mah" in place of a boring or aggitating voice. Ever since I first heard the repeated trombone riff as the voice of the teacher in Charlie Brown, I realized that "mah" is probually one of the most brilant sound effects ever.

Some times, you just dont care to think up the most mundane or annoying thing for a character to say. And even if you did take the time to think it up, no one would want to hear your brillant attempt at immitating everyday life.

Besides the fantastic addition of an aggitating femme, this Real Audio clip takes an actual voice session with Academy Award-winning American actor, Jack Palance. Best known for playing the characters of Curly and Duke in the City Slickers movies, Palance is also one of the the most sinister cinematic villains of 1950s.

A characture of a not-so-uncommon moment in time, when some one may have wanted to slap this man for being so self-serving, animator Russell Arch brings Palance to life with texture and squiggles.

The Truth About Washington Square Park

There is a certain vibe of calmness and history that inhabits the park. It’s a cultural gem that unites countries and communities.

Sitting in the round theatre on a hot summer day, the breeze lingers in the open space and people gather. Dressed in light layers, people from different neighborhoods, countries, and backgrounds sprawl like chameleons across the cement and stone fixtures.

For me, Washington Square Park is a place to be free. Students, teachers, and families with children and dogs gather to sing, eat lunch, talk with complete strangers.

As a student of NYU, I would often sit under a tree and have class, read books, discuss poetry and sociology. It was a place to stroll, not power walk or run to your next appointment. It is where I stood and watched the towers engulf with flames and fall.

The Village, or the area of lower Manhattan that lives between 14th Street and Houston, has been gentrified with big business and new “projects” that are slowly killing the passion and culture of this unique neighborhood. Projects, such as the one described in this video, are taking away art, history and culture of the Village and replacing it with cold, corporate shops and landmarks.

Save our park, a landmark that belongs to not only New York but the world. Living on the other side of the country, I think that any one who has ever stepped foot in its stone should speak up and how important a place is to keep alive. It as a little piece of Paris with hints of Rome and Madrid. It is a place of revolution and change. It is a place that deserves to be protected and the voices of the people need to be heard.

Tek Jansen

A cohesive, perverted Space Ghost, that has almost nothing to do with the news.



It looks like the creators of the Ambiguously Gay Duo may have a new cult hit with Steven Colbert's Alpha Squad Seven: The New Tek Jansen Adventure. Even I am mildly obsessed.
A visual comic strip, Tek is like a big hunk of brownie in your double fudge ice cream, a sinfully guilty pleasure.

This is the third piece of the Tek Jansen epic. After airing some time last week, The Colbert Report episode re-run last night.

Though this new Tek episode continues to provide dry and overly sexualy humor, the hightlight for me was George Lucas in the studio watching the cartoon space spoof. After losing the Steven Colbert's Green Screen Challenge, Lucas stayed as a guest on the news show. Watching George Lucas watching anmiated space drama, very entertaining.

Also check out:
Episode: Two --Episode: One

Andy Dick GAP Commercial Parody

I'm personally not a fan of Dick's humor and after the William Shatner Roast, I felt like much of his audience may have tired of the puns on his open bi-sexuality. But, this video clip is actually pretty clever.
It would be even more so if Jay Leno hadn't spoofed the Audrey Hepburn Gap skinny black pant commercial on The Tonight Show.

If you are unfamiliar with the original Gap advertisement, I suggest reading Adfreak's commentary on the campaign:

a Funny Face-era Audrey Hepburn dancing to AC/DC’s “Back in Black”? The new commercial, which landed in my e-mail box over night, is meant to relaunch Gap’s skinny black pant, according to creative director Trey Laird, who talks about the ad in this video on the Gap site. While I get the point, there’s something so discordant about Angus Young teamed with Audrey Hepburn.

Censorship Free for All

After “Fox New firecracker” Michelle Malkin spoke out to the creators and community of YouTube in a video post, addressing to issue of content censorship of her “conservative” videos, the topic has become widely discussed.



The YouTube user agreement forbids users from submitting material that is “unlawful, obscene, defamatory, libelous, threatening, pornographic, harassing, hateful, racially or ethnically offensive, or encourages conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, violate any law, or is otherwise inappropriate.” And incase a video slips by the eyes of the company's seventy employees, YouTube allows users to flag videos that they feel are inappropriate. Some users of the site, mostly those who have been victims of censorship themselves, find the practice unnessecary.

YouTube is not the first place to implement “unnecessary” censorship. This Censorship Video posted by headbanger6313 is a brief visual history of media censorship. Such mediums as cartoons, music videos, and album covers have been banning content for decades due to violence, sexual content, and references tragedy and sensitive world events.
For more information on YouTube censorship and Malkin's video, check out this New York Times article and Virginia Heffernan's Screens blog.