+5 Comedic Genius

[mmymoon]

There are many fandoms that, even if I like, I never quite understand the level of slavish devotion to X: for instance, Flight of the Conchords is very very funny, but not necessarily so far removed from what Weird Al has been doing that I'm shocked and amazed. (Which doesn't mean it doesn't have the same viral effect on me -- BUSINESS SOCKS -- just that I don't quite get why everyone is so excited, as if it's a brand new medium.) Stephen Colbert is funny, but he's been funny for about a decade now, so it's not as if he just landed. Et cetera. (I'd think it was just because people were newly discovering whatever fandom, but as we know, some of the most obsessive fans are the ones obsessing since the beginning. ;)

But this seems to have been running for a while already, and OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS THE MOST HILARIOUS THING I HAVE EVER SEEN:

Via mythosidhe.

Okokfgerko. THIS, guys, THIS is what makes people optimistic about an content-on-demand, fan-driven, indie, Web 2.0 future. This... is so funny. The costumes, the writing, the directing and editing (things people often neglect), and the acting are all dead on. I have no idea what their budget is, although it seems to be fan-generated, but this proves a small cast and production crew can create utterly brilliant, accessible, hilarious theater. I just watched the entire series, and I'll definitely be buying the DVD to give them money!

Oh my gosh!

AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

Comments

[kaitou-lili.livejournal.com]

YES! I loved it so much. Catchy and funny and amazing.

[sinderellah.livejournal.com]

heeelarious! I am so sharing this!

[mythosidhe.livejournal.com]

I can't believe you of all people didn't know about The Guild! If I had known I would have mentioned it sooner. I guess I watched most of the episodes during that period when I wasn't feeling up to updating my LJ, so never got around to posting about it. I'm glad you enjoyed it :D

You have a fair point about FOTC & Colbert not necessarily reinventing the wheel with their acts. I know at least in my case that I have so little access to TV that when I do happen across a show that I enjoy and clicks with me on several levels, I tend to really get into it just because there isn't much in the way of competition. Sadly, there isn't much out there in the way of clever, intelligent programing, so on the rare occasion when something pops up I'm sure I tend to go overboard in the 'OMG this is Awesome!' department (usually several years after the fact, but I'm working on a delay!)

But as to your bafflement as to precisely why the Conchords and Colbert are so popular, you're overlooking the fact that their physical appearances no doubt contribute equally as much to their fame as their 'art'. I know you have no use for skinny emo rocker boys (I suppose novelty folk band loosely fits in that category?), but you must admit that all three are fairly handsome gentlemen. Ladies (and a fair amount of men :p) love them because they are HOT. Whereas Weird Al, talented as he may be, has always struck me as slightly creepy and decidedly unappealing....

One thing that I also find charming about them is that out of character they appear to be genuinely polite, well-mannered, and relatively modest--not, perhaps, a typical consideration for fandom love, but it's a refreshing change from so many of the cock-sure bastards (of both sexes) running around in the entertainment industry these days. You know how severely Austen-biased I am in my opinion of men :p Which is not to say I'm desperate to drag any one of them off to bed (Okay, *maybe* Jemaine. Baritone! So sexy!), but I would totally invite them over for afternoon tea and bake them cookies. I don't bake for just anyone!

[mmymoon.livejournal.com]

No!

Okay, so hilariously, this motivated me to renew my game account, because I'm really sick and rather bored. It was having a snag with the payment, so I had to call tech support -- and I mentioned wanting to renew because of this video. The tech support guy was gushing about it; it was so cute. "They're just like my guild! I'm the nice one, so I get picked on." Awww!

I'd difficult to articulate, because it really is not understanding why people are SO passionate -- no, I think Stephen is funny, too! But he's been funny for a long time! But I think newness has only partially to do it with -- I also maybe cannot maintain the level of passion most geeks can:

For instance, He-man has been around for just about all of Cory's life, and he's still downright giddy about it. The most passionate X-files fans are the ones who watched it from the beginning! (Whereas I liked S1 of X-files and Buffy both, but got a bit bored when they started getting too plot-oriented... ahem...)


*laughs* I almost said something about appearances but I, er, thought people might get REALLY offended if I dared to say that I didn't think Stephen Colbert/Jon Stewart/Conchords guys are all that hot. I honestly can never tell if you guys are being serious ("Jon Stewart's so dreamy!") or just pretending these guys are dreamboats because they're talented. XD

[dollsahoy.livejournal.com]

I think the talent influences the perceptions of attractiveness (see: my college-age crushes on Conan O'Brian and Tommy Lee Jones...ahhh, smart ass Harvard honors students...)

It's official.

[batwinged.livejournal.com]

Felicia Day is queen of the dorks.