Some Ridiculous Driving

It doesn't get going until about a minute in, but once it does, you can only appreciate some of the driving skills. Plus, there's a Segway cameo!

It's called gymkhana. Not to be confused with Gymkata. Which is equally worth watching...

(Thank God that pommel horse shaped rock was there!)

YouTube Goodness: Karaoke Personals

After watching this video, you may have a few (7) questions. In true Jeopardy style, kindly let me answer them first:

1. Yep.
2. Yes.
3. Indeed.
4. One of the Landers sisters.  Then a few years later, the other one.
5. I think you can see the tops of his pants a couple of times, but that could just be a colored sash.
6. This one:
7. Either the casual braggadocio about the size of the pallets he moves around, or the knuckle-cracking.

Questions after the jump.

1. Wow, really?
2. Did this guy ever find karaoke romance?
3. Wait, seriously seriously?
4. OK, with whom did he find love?
5. Is he wearing pants?
6. Are there any animated GIFs he didn’t use?
7. What’s my favorite part of this?

Iron Man - Dancer!

How awesome would it be if this was Robert Downey Jr.?

Iron Man Dance from Kirby Ferguson on Vimeo.

Hopefully the actual show is as good as these credits...

The past few years have seen opening credit sequences become less of a way to simply vomit cast and crew information to the audience, and more of a way to show off some true artistic expression. In fact, here's one for the upcoming show Walking Dead...

THE WALKING DEAD "Opening Titles" from Daniel Kanemoto on Vimeo.

Pretty cool. Cooler once you find out that it was independently created by some guy who has no connection with the production of the show. And he has set a pretty high bar for the official opening credits. I'm not saying he can't be topped, but it's going to be pretty difficult. Regardless, I'm definitely anticipating the show, premiering Halloween night on AMC.

The Opposite of Breakdancing Awsomeness

Some of these are funny; some of these are tragic. But all of these breakdancing mishaps are worth watching.

Shattering the World Record For Most “Dog Police” Posts By A Blog in One Day

I was shocked by the “Dog Police” pilot that Goose posted earlier today.

Not because of the early star turns by Sandler & Piven, the repeated breaking of the 4th wall, or even the sheer metric tonnage of dog puns (no way that would have gotten old over the course of an entire season).

The shock was because they basically lifted the gimmick and theme song from an insanely catchy, if monumentally obscure 80s video. 

See what I mean after the jump.

I have a vague memory of seeing this video as part of MTV’s Basement Tapes, which let viewers vote on which unsigned bands would get a shot at stardom.  Kinda like

The show never made anyone a star, and the band never did anything of note after this.  Hell, they didn’t even win this crappy competition.

But I defy you to hear this song and not have it immediately displace important memories of dead loved ones’ faces.  It’s that catchy.

Random observations:

• Their sound could be described as Wall of Voodoo meets Kip Adotta.
• With the treatment of the somewhat-dark skinned woman, could there possibly be some racial overtones in this video? 
• Regardless, I’d still hit that.
• Midget in a tuxedo!
• Some of the YT comments mention that the guy on the left looks like William H. Macy.  I say he looks more like Frogurt from Lost (who’s also in That (Gay) Thing You Do!).

While we’re on the subject of The Basement tapes, here’s a young, apparently bulimic Billy Crystal as a special guest for the 85 version.  He launches immediately into his Fernando material, and also works his ethnic material.  It’s all Martha Quinn can do to humor him.

 

Dog Police

There are just too many things I want to say about this. Apparently it's real. That concept hurts my head.

YouTube Goodness: Dan Telfer’s “The Best Dinosaur”

Think you know what the best dinosaur is?  You’re almost definitely wrong.

Via the magic of Twitter, I discovered this amazing bit by Chicago comedian Dan Telfer.

Don’t just listen to this. The poor-man’s-Greg Proops-on-5-Hour-Energy visuals are key here

Enjoy.

The Food of State Fairs

Some chefs get into the business to prepare lovely food creations for diners. And some get into the business just to see what can be stuck into a fryer. Take, for example these concoctions that were sold at state fairs across the country. But be warned, you may feel your arteries clogging just looking at them.

I do enjoy that some of America's greatest culinary achievements are being achieved in the same spaces that REO Speedwagon is playing.

Fall Premiere Week: Outsourced

Over the years, NBC has established Thursday night as a great place for comedy. Cheers, Seinfeld, Friends, Wings (yeah, I said Wings...fuck you)...they have a good track record for funny television on this night.

Unfortunately, Outsourced does not make this list.

Full disclosure - I read a few reviews and heard the buzz that Outsourced wasn't that good. ANd the premise left a little to be desired. Still, I figured I would give it a shot instead of flipping over to the Food Network.

And that was my first mistake. By the time the show was over I briefly considered filing a class action lawsuit against NBC for wasting 30 minutes of my time. That's 30 minutes I could have used to bitch about Grey's Anatomy.

The show, about an American transplant in India managing a call center for a novelty product company (seriously - you know those stupid catalogs you get in the mail that highlights the Seymour Butts car window product where you can moon cars next to you? They need a call center for something like this? And the products they highlighted on the show? Ugh) fits so poorly with the other shows that I grew more and more angry as I wasted my time watching it. Mad at NBC, mad at the show and mad at myself for putting up with it. Seriously, with the quick-fire, intelligent writing of both 30 Rock and The Office (both solid episodes last night, though I think The Office really shined, something I haven't thought for a few years now) Outsourced felt more like one of the shows FOX tried early in its network inception. It would have paired nicely with Herman's Head.)

I knew we were behind the eight ball when promos for it started counting down the minutes until it aired during The Office. If only the show had kept the light humor of those promos then I would have simply deemed it "terrible."

The American lead? Terrible. A bland, husk of a character that alternates between being idealistic and xenophobic.

The Indian cast? Stereotypical characters from any run-of-the-mill sitcom, only Indian. I'm not sure what we're supposed to take from that. That people from other countries are just like us?

The other caucasians in the show to pander to the white audience that can't get past the idea that the show is set in India? Incomplete. Diedrach Bader, from The Drew Carey Show and Office Space, hams it up as as a racist (ok, racist might be strong, but I assume he's supposed to play the guy that reminds us that India is a crazy place that is so different from America. And that is just too weird!) And the blond Australian woman who is obviously a love interest designed to play opposite the obvious Indian love interest wasn't given much more to do than show off an Australian accent. I assume she'll have more to do in the future. Most likely get in a bikini.

Of course, I seriously doubt I'll see it, because I can't see myself watching this show again. Maybe if I hear they've retooled it. Maybe if I feel especially masochistic some Thursday. I only hope you heed my warning and simply find something else to do on 9:30 on Thursday nights... even if it's simply to pine about Parks and Recreation - the show this is replacing for the first part of the season.

Movies: Buried

I love the idea for the movie Buried. I'm just not sure I could watch the movie.

And that has nothing to do with the quality of it.

Let's back up a bit. If you haven't heard of it, Buried is about a man (played by Van Wilder's Ryan Reynolds) buried in a coffin. And that's it. That's the movie. Shot entirely within the confines of the coffin.

I'm not sure if I'm claustrophobic or not. I think I am, but not to a maddening degree. I feel fine in a small closet, or other small spaces where I know I can get out. Fear doesn't grip me if I know there is a secure escape. Where I do get weirded out, are in places where there might not be an escape - caves being the main culprit. So I can't say I have a major phobia if we're going with the classic definition.

But I can tell you that I would certainly be unpredictable if I woke up to find myself buried in a coffin.

Anyway, here's the trailer. Could you sit through this for 94 minutes?

Will Arnett on How to Play an Asshole

I feel bad for Will Arnett. Everyone wants him to be Job from Arrested Development. And it seems wherever he goes, people bring it up. Even this video I'm sure was spurred by a conversation about Job. Probably starting off with, "You were just so awesome in Arrested Development..." I am glad to see him poke a little fun at himself though. And one day I hope he finds the part that allows him to get away from Job - at least a little.

Top Human Villains

Over a year old, but still cool - here's a montage of the "top" villains from movie history. The song of course makes the whole thing.

There are certainly some omissions...Lo Pan from Big Trouble in Little China, Dr. Emilio Lizardo from Buckaroo Bonzai, and Auric Goldfinger from Goldfinger, just to name a few. I also think there were a few in there that really didn't belong, but whatever, it's still put together well.

Any other glaring omissions you see?

I would pay good money to see this.

Offered without commentary. The idea for the 2011 tentpole movie...Horse Cop: Undercover.

New Ok Go Video

What do you do after making a one-take Rube Goldberg music video?

Make a one-take music video using a pack of dogs...

I'm willing to bet this was an exponentially tougher shoot than the Rube Goldberg shoot.

Fall Premiere Week: The Chase

Here at the Popcorn Trick, we recently wrote a preview of the upcoming Fall television season and what we were looking forward too. And now, even though the season has already started, it seems like this week is as good a time as ever to write a few posts on the new shows. Up first is Chase, and NBC action show about Federal Marshals. But first, I want to point you in the direction of what the A.V. Club had to say about it, and suggest that if you only have time to read one review of Chase (and seriously, the show doesn't deserve too much more of your time) I'd recommend the A.V. Club's.

Anyway...

The Chase stinks.

When I first realized it wasn't going to be a TV dramatization of the 1994 Charlie Sheen/Kristy Swanson movie, I got annoyed (yes, I should have figured it out once I saw that the "the" article wasn't affixed to the television show, but I still hoped).

The Chase, about US Marshals finding felons on the lam gives us nothing new, other than a female tough-as-nails lead, Kelli Giddish. And while I hope Chase gets cancelled quickly, I hope Ms. Giddish lands on her feet, because she possesses an interesting screen charisma that is refreshing in the misogynistic world of television. But enough of the good stuff about Chase.

A blatant ripoff of the NCIS dynamic (which, yes, I understand has ripped off the dynamic from countless shows before it, but at least they do it well), Chase follows a team of people who chase down the bad guys. Terrible dialog, cliched action pieces (I just knew she was going to go across the rodeo and not around it to apprehend the bad guy because she's relentless in her pursuit and doesn't care about personal safety because oh yeah, her dad was a criminal and everyone thought she'd end up a criminal but instead she stops criminals but I'm waiting for the episode where someone tells her she thinks like a criminal).

As bad as that last sentence was, the show was worse. Don't waste your time on it.

Interview with a Juggalo

Insane Clown Posse. They have a new movie out...

(I particularly enjoy the interplay of the "clowns" (is that how they refer to one another?) and the non-clown people.)

Also for your enjoyment, the A.V. Club recently did an interview with one of them, Violent J. One of my favorite quotes...

Sometimes in our heads, when we’re making a song—like a typical wicked song with some scary themes to it—it plays itself a lot better in our head when it’s all left to the listener to decide how things look and what the story’s like. But when we actually try to do it on film, and show Shaggy and myself cutting people’s heads off or cutting their necks, something weird happens, and it’s not cool. In our opinion, it’s not cool to actually see us doing the murders, as cool as it is to imagine it when you’re hearing the song. That’s our opinion.

I don't hate Insane Clown Posse. In fact, I'm envious. They found a niche and filled it. It's fascinating. I would love to hear from a fan and ask them a bunch of questions as to the appeal of the band. At least I think I would.

More Time Lapse Awesomness

I'm not sure if this is supposed to scare me, but it does. In a completely awesome way.

Timelapse Montage from Mike Flores on Vimeo.

If you have the chance, check out the full screen HD version.

An Overrated Hamburger

It's not that I agree or disagree with this Esquire article about the country's most overrated hamburger. I've had both hamburgers the author, Josh Ozersky, namechecks (In and Out and 5 Guys) I enjoyed both for exactly what they were - fast food burgers that seemed to be better prepared than the standard fast food hamburger most people are familiar with. Mr. Ozersky suggests otherwise. And that's fine. After all, how am I going to argue with someone's opinion?

No, I'm much more angered by the laziness of the article. Not the writing. The idea of the article.

Mr. Ozersky starts off suggesting both In and Out and 5 Guys are overrated, based on their top spots in this Consumer Reports list. But then goes on to contradict his stance by suggesting not only are their worse hamburgers out there, but that most fast food hamburgers are probably worse.

It's at this point that to me, the article not only should be over, but perhaps should never have been written in the first place. The Consumer Reports list was for best fast food hamburger. Not best hamburger of all time.

Mr. Ozersky of course does go on, explaining why he personally doesn't like the aforementioned hamburgers, and then mentions some places he chooses as better:

Steak and Shake

Fuddruckers

Smashburger

White Castle

I can't comment on Steak and Shake or Smashburger, as I've never tried them. I'll take his word that they're chains - though he does suggest Smashburger is "new" so I'm not sure they should be considered. But whatever.

Fuddruckers, I really wouldn't classify as fast food. I mean it's a sit down place. Like an Olive Garden. I realize getting into the philosophical definitions of fast food is a slippery slope, with personal opinion probably getting in the way of the true matter at hand, but never once have I listed a Fuddruckers as a fast food alternative. I have yet to ever see them as a choice at a highway rest stop.

And White Castle. White Castle? I certainly will admit to a craving of their "sliders" at different points of my life, usually after Phish concerts and bong circles (redundant, I know) but ranking them as one of the top fast food burgers?

That goes a long way to establishing credibility.

I'm Paul Harvey... Good Day.

Chris Cooper Interview

The A.V. Club interviews Chris Cooper. Normally I wouldn't link to anything like this, because you know, another actor, another interview. It's not exactly the kind of material that makes me get out of bed in the morning.

But after reading it, I was struck by how thoughtful and earnest Chris Cooper was in regards to his work and making movies in general. He seems like a genuinely interesting, humble, real person.

Or maybe it's the peyote I just took.

In Praise of the Death of Blockbuster

Esquire recently ran this ode to Blockbuster, after the news that it went bankrupt came out. It's a wistful look at yesteryear, as the author (S.T. VanAirsdale, a name that sounds like he's about to sell me some ointment in from the back of his wagon in 1892 St. Louis) fondly looks back to when he would wander the aisles of the blue and yellow store, looking for a good movie with his pals...

You never really knew what you'd find or experience when you stepped inside. Sure, it would never likely be transgressive or especially exotic — good luck in the foreign section — but there was value in the sheer volume of titles, each of which must have entertained someone. From the high-demand new release section to the unorganized row of recent returns at the front desk — where customers plucked hot new titles with the ferocity of lottery addicts — it was where we went to win.

Of course, this is pure poppycock. Blockbuster is akin to Satan to me. I don't know where Mr. Snake oil salesman grew up, or where his Xanadu-Blockbuster was, but I'd be willing to bet he's misremembering those visits.

I knew exactly what I would find every time I walked into a Blockbuster - whether it was with friends, on a date or with the family - and that was homogenized dreck pandering to the masses.

Blockbuster built it's empire based on volume. It boasted all the latest and greatest releases and "guaranteed" a copy for everyone walking through the door. As a marketing campaign, it certainly was effective. But they either didn't realize what it meant to fulfill on that guarantee, or they didn't care. Since Blockbuster wasn't the Navidson house(1), and was a finite space, they devoted a significant chunk of their square footage to new titles. And because of their guarantee, they had to devote a lot of that space to a high number of copies of the new releases. Which left precious little room for movies that hadn't come out within the last 6 months.

And so, while Mr. VanAirsdale waxes somewhat poetically about the "sheer volume of titles" that he remembers, I remember the exact opposite. I remember walking into Blockbuster in disgust, knowing that my first, second and third choices for a movie most likely wouldn't be there.

(And please, before you call me a movie snob...well I'll cater to it, but not because I was hoping to pick up The 400 Blows(2) on my way home from lifeguarding. I'm talking about not being able to rent movies like Goldfinger, The Exorcist, Force 10 from Navarone(3) and many more that you've most likely heard of).

I fully understand no corner store in a strip mall had unlimited space, nor could it create a subterreanean fantasy movie vault to hold all my movie whims for whenever I wanted to watch The Wild Bunch. Titles had to be sacrificed, for space (heaven forbid some child couldn't go rent Legend of Zelda 9: Zelda Should Fire Her Security Team from the video game section - another reason Blockbuster couldn't carry Kingdom of the Spiders(4)), but that stupid guarantee forced their hand more.

And that's why the Mom and Pop stores had their charm. Sure, getting out of the store with the one new copy of the latest release mirrored Jason's plight against the skeletons(5) as he tried to get home, and the selection was indeed easily dwarfed by Blockbuster, but for whatever reason, the mom and pop collections seemed to feel more like your own. It was more eclectic, more varied (because it had to be - they couldn't throw copies out to make more space, so they had to keep that copy of Starcrash(6) - much to the chagrin of everyone involved in the making of Starcrash).

So bon voyage, Blockbuster. I realize that my reason for hating you had little to do with your demise - that it had more to do with your reluctance to match the Netflix business model sooner, but I will not shed a tear for you. Yes, we had a few good memories (I can't hate you totally since you introduced me to Garbage Pail Kids the Movie) but I can never love you (because the reason you introduced me to Garbage Pail Kids the Movie was because you didn't have The World According to Garp.)

(1) This was a forced-in reference to the house in the novel House of Leaves. It's an interesting book that, even if you hate the thought of reading, is interesting to leaf through in a Borders, a store that will surely be following Blockbuster in a year or two.

(2) A forced-in example that does indeed suggest I'm a movie snob. But seriously, it was directed by the French guy from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Just watch that if you don't find subtitled French movies from the 50s your cup of tea.

(3) Maybe Force 10 from Navarone wasn't the greatest example to use here, but dammit, I loved that movie growing up. For Christ sakes it had Robert Shaw, Harrison Ford and a young Carl Weathers in it battling Nazis. I also believe it was the first movie I ever saw that had an open-ended ending, and I so fretted about what happened to them (I won't ruin it for you if you haven't seen it).

(4) I wrote this endnote for 2 reasons: 1. Because Kingdom of the Spiders was the first animal/insect terror/horror movie I ever saw, and I have a soft spot for them (i think Caine's The Swarm is my favorite) and 2. So I could reference and put in a youtube clip of The Swarm)

(5) Ok, way forced - but seriously, did you click on it? If you don't click on any other link - go watch the skeleton fight. That was filmed in 1963!

(6) Yes, I know I said the Jason and the Argonauts clip is the clip you should pick if you're only going to watch one, but seriously, the Starcrash trailer is one of a kind. You'll regret missing it.

My Jam of the Indeterminate Time Period: Hallelujah the Hills

Well, it only took me 17 months for a second entry in a series that I originally hoped to update weekly. I have soft spot for myself, so I’ll cut me some slack and call that “ahead of schedule”.

Not entirely sure how Hallelujah the Hills came to my attention, but nevertheless they’re my current jam.

And they’re playing the better part of the Northern Eastern Seaboard in the next few months, including a date in Philly this Sunday.

After the jump, a list of reasons to love them, a few clips, and the aforementioned tour dates.

---

The List

1. There’s a lot of ‘em in the band. If having numbers is good enough for parking lot situations, then it’s good enough for me.
2. They have a hard sound to describe. I hear elements of fun., in that a lot of their songs veer wildly from one tempo/style to another.  But they’re less poppy, more rocky, and entirely devoid of piano. They have some shout-along energy like Titus Andronicus and The Hold Steady, but they’re more tuneful than the former and less so than the latter.
3. They wear suits whilst performing live (at least some of the time).
4. They use the horn(s) just enough to so as to be effective (see Lucero’s 1372 Overton Park), but not so much as to be gimmicky (see Ska).
5. They have a guy whose instruments are listed as “Tambourine, Hollerin’” That gives me hope that someday I could be in a band.  Except for the tambourine part.
6. They’re on the same label (Misra) as the lovely and talented Centro-Matic.
7. They allow me to use one of my favorite adjectives to describe their sound. Shambolic. 
8. They have songs with long titles (e.g. “It's All Been Downhill Since The Talkies Started To Sing”, “Raise The Flag Of Your Sibling's Favorite Daydream”) that are actually used in the lyrics.
9. Like Titus Andronicus, They Might Be Giants, and Bad Company before them, they have an awesome song named after the band.

---

The Goods

After a bit of dissonance to start, they start cooking with gas on the aforementioned eponymously titled song about 2 minutes in:

Hallelujah the Hills at Great Scott from Nicole Prowell on Vimeo.

 

An acoustic version of “It's All Been Downhill Since The Talkies Started To Sing”:

 

Playing on a hill for some reason.

NUMBER ONE JAMS: Hallelujah The Hills from James Patrick Robinson on Vimeo.

 

And (presumably) the inspiration for their name is some weird Lithuanian cinema:

Adolfas Mekas, Hallelujah the Hills, 1963 (excerpt) from RE:VOIR on Vimeo.

 

---

The Gigs

Full list: http://www.hallelujahthehills.com/calendar/

• September 16, 2010
  New Haven, CT
  Lilly's Pad
  
• September 17, 2010
  New York, NY
  The Mercury Lounge
  
• September 18, 2010
  Charlottesville, VA
  Tea Bazaar
  
• September 19, 2010
  Philadelphia, PA
  The M Room
  
• October 14, 2010
  Danbury, CT
  Cousin Larry's
  
• October 15, 2010
  Rochester, NY
  The Bug Jar
  
• October 16, 2010
  Youngstown, OH
  Lemon Grove Cafe
  
• October 17, 2010
  Pittsburgh, PA
  Garfield Art Works
  
• October 30, 2010
  Allston, MA
  Great Scott

Led Zeppelin and the Beat Generation. Sorta.

Back in 1975, William S. Burroughs wrote an article on Led Zeppelin. I am not sure what the genesis was for such a thing, but whatever you imagine the article is like, you'd probably be wrong.

“The Led Zeppelin show depends heavily on volume, repetition and drums. It bears some resemblance to the trance music found in Morocco, which is magical in origin and purpose–that is, concerned with the evocation and control of spiritual forces. In Morocco, musicians are also magicians. Gnaoua music is used to drive out evil spirits. The music of Joujouka evokes the God Pan, Pan God of Panic, representing the real magical forces that sweep away the spurious. It is to be remembered that the origin of all the arts–music, painting and writing–is magical and evocative; and that magic is always used to obtain some definite result. In the Led Zeppelin concert, the result aimed at would seem to be the creation of energy in the performers and in the audience. For such magic to succeed, it must tap the sources of magical energy, and this can be dangerous.”

Enjoy the whole article here.

Death - And How to Avoid It

One thing I learned watching this nine and a half minute video of people escaping the jaws of death:

People have a strange fascination with almost getting hit by trains.

Elections are Heating Up!

I love a good election ad, and while this isn't one of those, it is a great example of how far people are willing to go to get elected. Phil Davison didn't get the nomination, but it wasn't because people couldn't hear him. I do enjoy that he has to continually go back and check his notes when speaking about his experience. I guess remembering his degrees takes a back seat to his passion.

On another note - here's the greatest presidential campaign ad in the history of the world. I defy you to find one better. Mike Gravel, I will follow you to the ends of the earth.

Comedy!

Just wanted to link to this rundown of where you can watch not only most of the new comedies coming this Fall season, but also some classics from yesteryear. A term I hate. Also, if you're not checking out the site splitsider, you probably should be. Especially if you like comedy.

"I can't feel my face."

The following video appears to be a preview for the upcoming season for the Amazing Race. If that doesn't sound appealing to you, put your doubts aside, and hit play. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

I'm assuming the editors may have take inspiration from Oliver Stone's JFK for the way they Zaprudered the footage of this. Bravo.

Cool Space Photography

Sure, Twitter is a lot of toilet humor, rants about Monday (it's like a Garfield comic minus the drawing sometimes) and coffee talk (literally), but every now and then, something comes along that makes it completely worth it.

Douglas H. Wheelock has been posting pictures he's taken on his twitter feed. What's so special about that?

Douglas H. Wheelock is an astronaut, and his photos are taken from way up high. Why not enjoy some of the better ones here? (I think my favorite one is of Italy and Sicily at night.)

Those Chairs are Pissed!

See what happens on a cruise ship heading through a storm on the high seas...

Now, go watch it again and pay particular attention to the room off in the back, where you can see people there, seemingly oblivious to what's going on. If I was going to bet, I'd gamble on that being the casino part of the boat.

Juggalo Island!

I just watched this whole thing. I dare you to do the same.

Had a Bad Breakup - Send These Songs to Your Ex

Never say The Popcorn Trick isn't looking out to help you. Like the headline suggests, this list is a look at the top pop breakup songs. Throw them on a cassette, grab a mailer, send it to your ex, and after they figure out what a cassette is and find a yard sale for a cassette player to hear it, you'll have exacted sweet, sweet revenge. Because remember, your ex wouldn't be caught dead at a yard sale!

Wendy's Training Video

I really couldn't let this one go without comment. Aside from the racial undertones, it's simply one of the greatest examples of a bad idea developed in the corporate world. I mean, is there any way to homogenize rap more than have your rapper be a blonde, possible soccer mom? Did Wendy's believe their target audience (and let's not dance around this issue, this was made for their African-American employees) was going to pay attention to something like this?

Completely unrelated - are you telling me when discussing the "pop" of the cup we couldn't get a breakout of popping? C'mon!

New Between 2 Ferns

It's very easy to burn out a joke, especially if the entire concept is based on it. That's why I have such admiration for Between 2 Ferns. While it would be easy to simply go back to the well each time, Zach Galifianackis is at least trying some different things...

Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis: Sean Penn from Between Two Ferns

Now, is this funny simply because it's Sean Penn, and he is notorious for being over serious? I think so. Does it fizzle a little at the end? Again, I believe that to be the case. I even wonder if Sean Penn had to ok certain stuff, which might have weakened the skit a little. Still, I don't believe Between 2 Ferns has run it's course yet, and I'll be excited when the next one comes out.

Some Crazy Parkour

I had two lines I was going to lead into this video with.

1. I didn't even see the camera when I was doing all this.

2. These guys must never pay for the subway.

Think you can do better? Watch the video and give it a shot...

Apparently This Is Real

The fine art of putting a ferret in your pants. And you thought it would be something silly.

Basically, the contest involves the tying of a competitor's trousers at the ankles and the subsequent insertion into those trousers of a couple of peculiarly vicious fur-coated, footlong carnivores called ferrets. The brave contestant's belt is then pulled tight, and he proceeds to stand there in front of the judges as long as he can, while animals with claws like hypodermic needles and teeth like number 16 carpet tacks try their damnedest to get out.

This article goes into some decent, humorous detail about the world record holder for ferret legging. Yes, they bite. Yes, they're tenacious.

I think it's safe to say this is not going to be on my bucket list.