Take On Me, Literally!

So, I know that literal version of music videos has been done before. But normally, it's a mashed-up interpretation of a popular song with widely unknown lyrics (one of my favorites being the misheard lyrics to Pearl Jam). As a welcomed twist on the music parody scene, dustin films re-recorded the song to mimic the actions playing out in the video. To quote videogum, "if viral videos could get book deals, this viral video would be on your coffee table."

YouTube Allows Users to "Buy Stuff"

How many times have you seen a YouTube video and just had to buy a product or a service related to the video? Ok, never. But still, if you want to spend your hard earned cash in these times of looming recession, now you can do it directly from YouTube. (via Mashable)

This is actually a pretty big deal for independent artist and media companies who now have a chance to turn a profit from music downloads and DVD sales. Before this new integration, publishers were pushing fans to another site — where they had to fill out all of their info — and lost many potential buyers who weren’t in the mood or didn’t have the time. This new YouTube program will lead to a new stream of profitability for web creators and I accept the challenge of finding a way to tap into it.

ReelFeed In a Nutshell

I found this cool site Wordle.net that pulls popular tags from your site and arranges them by importance and popularity. So as you can tell by said image, I have a lot to say about my "favorite" things on the "web".

Seth MacFarlane: Oh, How We Adore You

Seth MacFarlane launched his online-only animated series Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy today. The show is the second example in the past few month of TV producers developing their own project on the web. Will the freedom of the net attract more studio talent? Either way, the man is funny and I am excited that he has come to join our little web party. Here's one of his first episodes:

More Toys for Tink!

For a cat vs. mouse video, I think this has some notable production value. The low angles combined with a come-hither kitty stare add up to an all-around entertainment.

N, Not Your Everyday Series

Promoting Stephen King's upcoming book, this mind-distorting series combines the visual stylings of a graphic novel with a chilling tale of suspense.

Beaker Beats

Some web savvy Muppets have surfaced on the internet singing some of their favorite classic tunes. Check out this ode to joy from Beaker, everyone's favorite puppet scientist!

Pee Pee Pees

It's no secret that long road trips and over-sized sodas don't mix. In this episode of Sony Digital's Rodents, Pee Pee bargains with Buttercup for a pit stop.

Sam Roberts "Them Kids"

In this video for Sam Roberts latest single "Them Kids", the isolated environment of a Simms-like suburbia offers a cookie cutter world devoid of fear and poverty. Yet, when you listen to Robert's lyrics, the message is not nearly as happy go lucky as the colorful visuals depict them to be. Symbolic of the generational divide between Gen-X and our elders, video games are the precise reason why many of "them kids" are too distracted in modern society to enjoy the simple pleasures of past generations.

I Met The Walrus

Nearly 40 years ago, a young Canadian boy snuck into John Lennon's hotel room to talk about peace. The beloved musician, who was embraced by the world for his revolutionary views, spoke to the renegade child with no filter to his opinion of reality. Some what dark and jaded, Lennon's words are brought back from their grave into this Oscar nominated short. A composite of sketches and digital imaging, I believe this artful animation transcends generations and speaks to a nation constantly at war with itself and it's culturally obstructive enemies.

Radiohead "House of Cards"

Created using a camera-free laser imaging system, this new video for Radiohead's "House of Cards" positions technology as the driving force behind the music. At a symbolic glance, it's almost seems that Radiohead surrendering to a future where the megaband is pixelated by the collapse of the traditional label structure. Whether they meant to send this message or not, it's interesting that this video was produces during a time when the music industry is adapting to new technologies and unconventional distribution models.

Baman Piderman

A love of comics mixed with an admiration for nonsensical comedy explains why I've spent the past few days replaying this one-minute short by Alex Butera on any device I could find it on.



Sitting here at my desk, overworked to the point that my brain can't take another intellectual thought, it's really hard for me to resist such brilliantly irrelevant lines as "my boots are sticky." I think I'm going to watch it again!

Outside of the Box

Please officer, don't mime the smell! In this episode of the retarded policeman, shots are fired in the name of traffic safety.

Bon Iver "The Wolves (Act I & II)"

Haunting the heart with cold breaths of pain and loss, this video "The Wolves (Act I & II)" by Bon Iver takes you into the dark, mystical forest of reflection. Entangling the weighted words of Iver with the somber mindset of its director who suffered the sudden death of a friend, the two artists created a soulful, opera-esc ballad that brings serenity to life's unavoidable pain.

Engaged: The Show

Anyone who has ever has ever spent time with a newly engaged couple can relate to this off-beat series about tying the knot.

Don Brownrigg "In it"

This song by Canadian musician Don Brownrigg has an infectious melody that warms even the most anxious of hearts. Directed by Charles Jannasch of Device Moving Images, the home grown, earnest video allows the quality of the lyrics to speaks for itself.

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Coming soon to an internet near you, this mad love story promises high production plotlines and some of your favorite TV-turned-net celebs.

A Great Big Break

Think that there's nothing good on the web lately? You clearly haven't seen breakalegtv. Catch up old episodes before the season finale!

The Buffet Song

Ever wonder where Rhett and Link write such funny songs? In this video they hit a Vegas buffet to find some lyrical inspiration.

Time To Switch To Whiskey

Part Cash, part backwoods honkie, Corb Lund's ode to sour mash delivers a foot stomping melody that even the most adverse country music listener may find hard to ignore.

Rescue Me Minisode

The "Rescue Me" story continues in a brand new way. Dennis Leary's top-rated firehouse drama debuts a made-for-the-web series.

McCain Girl Hulks Out

One year after Obama Girl swept the nation with her political assets, she's up against a lean, green, barelypolitical fighting machine.

Foreign Body

A prequel to Robin Cook's upcoming book, "Foreign Body" is the story of lust, life and a dash of international conspiracy.

Ice-T Talks Game

In this exclusive interview from Black20, gangsta-turned-TV cop Ice-T talks about his past, his passion for heavy metal and addiction to video games.

Mahalo Idol

No song or dance here: Mohalodaily pitted twelve talented hosts against each other to find the new face of their popular web show. The winner is...

Roommating: The Series

Anyone who's ever had a random roommate can relate to this series about the trials of sharing the same apartment and the same remote control.

M. Ward : "Requiem"

An approved fan video for M Ward, the cinematography in this video is as haunting as the song it praises. Also, the use of old man as the victim and the hero is uplifting and clever.

Can't Stop Watching

Citizen HeroGreat superhero sketch that plays on the everyday life of superheros.

Voice TalkersP0ykpak has some of the most interesting and original comedy shorts on the web. Even after the success of Mario Game Over and Hipster Olympics, few knew the Brooklyn comedy group. This sketch about a family of voice artists is one example of their unique and groundbreaking comedy.

Powerthirst

By far the most popular video on my list, I have had to have watched this video about a dozen times. I love the absurdity and how it plays off of so many energy drink ads and social norms.

Papercut Well-conceived animation about the boredom and frustration of a repetitive work environment.

My First CrushHeartwarming animation that layers people talking about their first crush with stunning simply animation.

Internet Party

This week, I was slapped in the face by the popularity of Cracked.com Internet Party video. As a noob to the tech game, I assumed that no one outside of this 7by7 square mile city knows or cares about the dozens of video sites that allow you to search by pet name, favorite color, or most inappropriate moment.

What's It Gonna Be?

The other night, I was in a heated conversation about how many online comedians are over producing their rap parodies in a way that makes it seem like they are taking the whole thing way too seriously. Don't get me wrong, their are many artists who dare to be different and their innovation in the space only raises the bar -- Eric Schwartz and Jon Lajoie.

But Does Cherry Chocolate Rain make me laugh longer then a day? Not at all. Do these up-and-coming rap comedians have a chance to lock down the fame of Lazy Sunday or Dick in a Box? Probably not. The result of my rather lengthy conversation brought me back to this gem of a video. An original whitiest rap by comedian Mike O'Connell, What's it Gonna Be? was shot in a single location (your run of the mill dive bar) and never once cuts away from the absurdly laughable performance acted out in front of the lens.

So what's the point? O'Connell didn't have to bust out the bling and his entourage to get his hoes -- he just needed to make them laugh. So maybe what I suggest is that web producers take it back to basics and maybe all the inspiring rockstar comedians will get a little more internet tang.

Dank and Nank

Short, sweet, and to the point, Dank and Nank is a no-nonsense sitcom: no dramatic fillers, not much plot, lots of laughs.

Danny Bonaduce: Life Coach

Assuring tabloid publishers never go hungry again, Danny Bonaduce helps celebs keep their panties off.