Advice to tv people

Peter Keleghan should be in all sitcoms.

Yet another thing on the internet I enjoyed

Michael Showalter Showalter

Michael Showalter interviews some comedy men. Jack McBrayer, Micheal Ian Black, David Cross, Mike Birbiglia, Andy Samberg, David Wain, Zach Galifianakis, Paul Rudd, and Michael Cera.

Ha, ha, ha. Yes, I see. Very droll.

I realize that the complaint I am about to share is not original. I realize that many, many, people have said this before me. An episode of Seinfeld was even devoted to it. But I'm going to go ahead and throw this thought into the universe yet again. Because I can. And because evil must be pointed out over and over again if we hope to ever defeat it.

The New Yorker cartoons (often) make no sense, are not funny, and are designed to drive you INSANE.

Those bastards suck you in with their fantastic articles, and then give you this:



I always expect that some day they will reveal that their cartoon selection is a cruel sociological experiment designed to shortcircuit pretentious minds, but it seems that they actually choose them based on some sort of legitimate criteria that doesn't include their ability to send me into a fit of rage.

I heard an interview with the cartoon editor Robert Mankoff. Apparently this is his criteria:

1) He wants cartoons that communicate some idea through the medium of humour
2) He wants them to make a point
3) He wants them to have an enduring nature
4) He wants them to strike a chord
5) He wants them to have a distinctive voice

Those are noble goals! I can see why they get such satisfying results.

I shall never forget the meaning of that.

Mysteries of the Universe

Why is it that when other people quote The Simpsons it is irritating, but when I do it is totally fresh and amusing?

"Keep watching the skiiiiiis!"

See what I mean? You really enjoyed that!

beaton

Does someone want to get me the Kate Beaton Book? Okay she is still in the process of making them, but keep it in mind. In the mean time I would still be interested in other swag. Maybe i will visit the Maritime Museum of BC in honor of Beaton instead.

Your source for highbrow entertainment

Teenage Boy Comedy

"60-foot comedy painting on roof"

Target Women

Happy discovery time! I've just been introduced to Target Women, a series which mocks irritating marketing geared toward women. It's funny!

Pepsi!

This is funny. Someone, possibly the people who created the new, awful Pepsi logo, have released a pdf of a redesign presentation. It is great, especially when a diagram illustrates Pepsi's gravitational pull in the shopping aisle.

Please ignore all the silly commentators (and the poster) on Brand New who have no sense of humour and don't understand that this is a joke.

Where is my bromo seltzer?

“The Recently Deflowered Girl” (1965) – Illustrated by Edward Gorey

A parody of etiquette books for young ladies. Very funny

SuperPost

Rachel and I have set up a heck of a lot of categories in this here blog. Time to cram them all into one SUNDAY SUPER POST, random point-form style.

AFRICA

• As much as I agree with Palin that her fellow republicans are jerks for spreading rumours about her dumb questions during her debate prep, I have to profusely thank Americans for not electing a V.P with such a pitful understanding of Africa.

ART

• Hey! art’s great! Am I right?

BOOKS

• Currently reading Watchmen, thanks to Rachel. It’s starting up pretty slowly so far, and I’m looking forward to more action. I have to say that Rorschach was a great idea for a character, visually.
  

CAILIN

• I wonder how many people are actually called Cailin in Ireland? (It’s Irish for “girl”)

COMEDY


COMIC

• If it is at all possible that you are not yet aware of The Perry Bible Fellowship, get reading.

ENGLISH

• I had NO IDEA James Joyce was such a dirty, dirty man. If you’ve seen his love letters to Nora Barnacle, you know what I’m talking about.

ENVIRONMENT

• I wonder if the fact that my new low-flow shower head requires me to take about three times as long to wash my hair as it used to cancels out the water I’m supposed to be saving in the first place...

FASHION

• You know how JFK destroyed the hat industry by strutting around bare-headed? I’m hoping Obama also makes some huge male fashion impact. At the moment, I’m rooting for him just bringing the hat back.

GOSSIP GIRL

• haven’t seen the show yet, but that one brunette looks like a doll. This is my insightful observation!

JAMIE TUBBS

• I just accidentally typed “Jamir Tibbs.” That would make a great alter ego.

JOKES

• D.L Hughley’s are not funny.

LOGO

• At least if you got McCain's campaign logo tattooed on your body you can pretend you were in the navy or something...

MOVIES

• Anybody seen that “Nick and Nora” Micheal Cera one? How was it? I can’t see it because the title alone enrages me. Nick and Nora Charles forever!

MUSIC

• It’s been pretty great listening to civil rights movement music this week.

POLITICS

• I missed the last Liberal leadership convention since I was abroad at the time, so I never saw how handsome that Gerard Kennedy is. I mean, he’s no Justin Trudeau, but you take what you can get.

• Also, did anyone ever chant Hur-RAE, Hur-RAE for Bob Rae?

POLL

• Ah, how I will miss CNN’s POLL of POLLS.

QUOTES

• “ Just had a great lunch. Wham, bam, thank you ham!” - Jordan Morris, via twitter. He makes me laugh.

RACHEL

• What a pal! What an asset to civilization!

ROMANCE

• So many great romantic tales seem to hedge on circumstances that could have been altered by the slightest thing, like missing a certain bus or leaving a party early. Makes one wonder if, say, an ill-timed Steve Irwin impersonation might have cost one one’s soul mate. One would feel like a real jackass if that were true. One would indeed.

Good thing God doesn’t ever confirm such things. "THOU HAST TOTALLY BLOWN THY ONE CHANCE FOR TRUE LOVE, THOU IDIOT.”


SARAH PALIN

• She should get to keep the clothes. Come on!

TELEVISION

• I miss Mad Men.

TRAVEL

• I just watched a video of Obama playing basketball, and it looks like his buddies are letting him win. Unless he is the best at all things?

• The travel connection: I’m pretty sure traveling is something basketballers do.

VIDEO GAMES

• I could go for some treasure mountain.

ZIMBABWE

• is Ewbabmiz backwards!

Phew, this was difficult. Good Night.

maverick

Olden days!

Oh boy oh boy!

The Onion has made me so very happy and laugh-y today.

Old-timey jokes and such are my cup of tea.

The Weekly is an old stand-by of delight in this genre. They don't update anymore, but there's lots of laughs to be had.

My predilection for this stuff also helps explain my affinity for Kate Beaton, which Rachel has already described.

I think I should note, however, that I actually don't like Married to the Sea at all. I don't think it's very funny, and they don't seem to respect the stock engravings that so warm my heart.

This genuine article is the greatest (via Jordan, Jesse, Go!)

I'm pretty sure I have more olden-time comedy links to share, but none come to mind at the moment.


OH! Except If you remember this you grew up in the 1890's, which is the greatest thing facebook has given rise to.


If anyone can think of any endeavours of a similar nature, please let me know!

Dreamboat, plus a complaint.

Hmm. All of the videos Youtube recommends for me are James McAvoy-related. Well done, website. You've earned my respect and gratitude.

Here's one of the videos, from a show I've never seen called Shameless. Interesting fact: the woman McAvoy's character meets here later became his real-life wife. Join me in a round of "aww"s.



That's the dreamboat, now time for the complaint. I hate it when people react with fake, excessive enthusiasm to semi-obscure references just to show everyone present that they TOTALLY GET THAT REFERENCE AND APPRECIATE IT WAY MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE!!!!
Example: A dude in my class today whose laughter wounded my eardrums when the prof merely mentioned Mitch Hedberg. Man, I know who he is too, but you don't see me practically doubled over just from the memory of old jokes. Go home and think about what you've done.

Here's some Hedberg. Next time you hear his name you too can bray like a donkey with the joy of recognition.