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.