Category Archives: Virulent

2010/03/25 · 10:20 pm

‘Idol’ Flashback: Seacrest Sucker Punches Chris Daughtry

If there was any justice in this (reality TV) world, last night’s American Idol would have been a double (and perhaps even triple) elimination, with at least Tim Urban joining Paige Miles on the way out the door, and with neither securing a spot on the Idol Summer tour.  But at least with Tim on the tour the producers won’t have to worry about a shortage of crying, screeching 13-year old girls.

But since the only surprise last night was not who went home but who didn’t, we thought we’d take a look back at a true Idol elimination shocker, one of our favorite pieces of video in the history of video.

Love how Seacrest just slides it in there, like Hanks at the Oscars.  It really seems like it takes a few seconds for everyone to realize what had happened, or perhaps  they expected this to be one of Seacrest’s customary teases; “Chris, you are going home tonight…to get ready next week’s top 3 show!”  But no, the journey was over, just like that.

And that, friends, is how you do an Idol elimination.

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Filed under All the sudden I could really go for a Coke, TV Killed the Music Video Star, Virulent, Who's the Boss?

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2010/03/24 · 12:21 pm

Pandering to the Masses

Since the top two searches leading visitors to this blog are “Jason Sudeikis dancing” and “Jason Sudeikis What Up With That” I thought that today we’d just give the audience what they want.  And even though I’ve been vocal about my dislike for this sketch, Sudeikis’ moves are the saving grace and definitely worth the time.

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Now if they could just deep six the rest of the sketch (except for Galifiankis.  He’s pretty incredible in this one).

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2010/03/08 · 11:32 am

“Presidential Reunion”; Or Will Funny or Die Kill ‘SNL’?

By now you’ve all seen this Funny or Die sketch (because it was uploaded almost a week ago, which this day in age classifies it as old) that brings together the all time team of SNL presidential imitators.  It’s great, right?  Totally awesome (especially Chevy, doing what Chevy does best).

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However, what concerns me is what this video, and videos of its ilk, means to SNL.  Why I am so concerned about a show that has basically been skating by since 1993, if not earlier, and has never really faced any real competition, I don’t know (and no, MADtv doesn’t count).  But the more I see the Funny or Die videos featuring both SNL and non-SNL talent I wonder how long the show will be able to compete (especially now that Funny or Die has its own show on HBO, although the one episode I saw was rather underwhelming).  And this Presidential Reunion, directed by Hollywood heavyweight Ron Howard, really caused me pause.

Keep reading: Does this spell the end for ‘SNL’?

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Filed under Analysis, Good Humor, Saturday Night Live, Virulent

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2010/02/10 · 1:20 am

Muppet Monday Tuesday: Beaker Epic Fail, Muppet Viral Victory

The Muppets are proving themselves to be the Leonardo da Vinci of modern media, moving effortlessly between movies, TV, community service, comics and cultural relativism*.  Dudes are just hitting it from all angles right now.  They’re like Miley Cyrus times four, with actual talent and vast more human emotion and independent thought.

Sure, they’ve always pounded the pavement when it comes to the traditional media, boasting a vault full of films and TV specials and music albums.  But lately they’ve shown to be experts at exploiting popular YouTube videos to create their own.  Right now the Muppets at the forefront of what I like to call viral video deconstructionism.  Starting with their attempts to usurp the iconic skateboarding dog, and most notably in their “Bohemian Rhapsody” music video, they’ve deftly played with what we’ve come to call internet memes (at least I think that’s right.  Still not quite sure what a meme is.  Ask Urlesque).  And they continue this trend now with what might be the most subversive video yet: Beaker (who has sort of become the go-to Muppet for these videos) performing a meepfelt version of “Dust in the Wind,” only to be crowded out and ultimately sabotaged by those YouTube pop-up comment boxes.  Beaker, shine a light and we shall follow.

Expecting Pepe After Dentist anytime now.

*Not really.

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2010/01/07 · 7:01 pm

OMG, Hurley Likes To Surf!

Except he likes to work on his extra spicy ranch dressing  chicken batter more.

The LOST team released another little morsel to whet our appetites before the season six premiere.  Coming on the heels of the “LOST Supper” photos, we’ve now be given a second Mr. Clucks commercial starring it’s owner/operator, Mr. Hugo Reyes (the first premiered at Comic-Con earlier year).

But what does it all mean???

Well, if I had to bet it certainly points to the theory that the castaways land safely in Los Angeles instead of crashing on the island and all becoming besties.  But Hurley also says that since he’s won the lottery he’s had nothing but good luck.  So, perhaps, when Juliet detonated the bomb it didn’t just change everything from the moment right before flight 815 originally went down on, but it actually changed the course of the Lostaways lives even before their Sydney departure.  But, really, who knows?

Perhaps Doc Jensen.

And did you notice the cost of the meal deal?  $4.42.  Whoa.

via sl-Lost

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2010/01/06 · 7:23 pm

Muppet Wednesday: Slow down, Muppets, I can’t keep up!

If Jimmy Fallon didn’t already have the planet’s best house band, I’d say he should hire the Muppets, because, as seen in this outtake from their pre-Christmas visit to Late Night, the Muppets don’t only do Christmas Carols:

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Although, when I first saw the link I was hoping it was going to be this version of “One.”  Now, that would have been cool.

More Muppet News: Parades, Groins, Collectible Figurines!!!

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2009/12/24 · 1:35 pm

Christmas Eve Clipdown: Muppets. Killing. It. Christmas. Style.

On Christmas Eve My True Loves Gave to Me: One awesome Muppet video.

As if you didn’t know that the Muppets have just been dominating the last part of 2009, they dropped by Jimmy Fallon to put a festive exclamation point on what has been somewhat of a Muppet resurgence (it was a good year for The Roots and Jimmy Fallon as well, in that order).  The Muppets have traditionally done some of their best work during the holidays, and this is no exception, recreating their classic collaboration with John Denver, the “12 Days of Christmas,” this time with Fallon subbing in for the late great Denver (and a few Muppet substitutions as well: hello Sam the Eagle, Pepe and Rizzo; goodbye Janis, Dr. Teeth and Stadler & Waldorf.  Times have changed).

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And in the spirit of the holiday here’s the original:

And because it’s the giving season, and I’m guessing you can’t get enough of the Muppets and Christmas, here’s some more Muppet holiday cheer: A Muppets Christmas – Letters to Santa, A Muppet Family Christmas, A Muppet Christmas Carol, and, for good measure, Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy (which was arguably later ripped off by Toy Story).

Sidenote: At last night’s pub trivia the final question was “What are all the gifts from the ’12 Days of Christmas?'”  Having just watched the Muppets and Fallon, I had an ace in the hole.  I still could only name about 8 of the gifts (hey, what do you expect from a Jew with a terrible voice?), but thanks to Fozzie I knew that day 7 brought sevens swans a swimming.  Much appreciated, Fozz!

Enjoy!  Merry Muppet Christmas Eve!

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Filed under Muppets, Nostalgia Corner, Talkies, Virulent, Yankee Swap

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2009/12/21 · 5:39 pm

Muppet Monday: Take That, ‘The Sing-Off!’

The boys of the Beelzebubs aren’t the only ones who are able to make “beautiful” music with just their voices.  Nope. Beaker, Animal and Swedish Chef can hold their own, as shown in the new holiday video from Muppets Studios, the “Ringing of the Bells:”

Doesn’t that just put you in the holiday spirit?

I had intended to post the Kermit/Robert De Niro duet of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from Saturday Night Live, but even though it was included in “A Very Gilly Christmas,” it’s nowhere to be found on the interwebs.  Tragic.  But, it’s true, it is better to give than to receive.

Anyone else feel like watching Home Alone now?

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2009/12/18 · 1:55 am

Hannukah: The Penultimate Night

Is it me or has using the world “penultimate” really come into fashion lately?  I know it’s not really relevant, but I felt like I had to say it.  Anyway…

My mom was recently laid off from her part-time job, and consequently her internet productivity has spiked considerably.  A major part of this increased output is a rise in the number of email forwards she sends my way.  Whereas I might receive one a week, now I’m looking at two, maybe three, a day.  Perhaps it’s just the holiday season, but it seems that, in lieu of having a job, mom is really working it (internet-wise).

And thus today brought us this fantastic little Judaic gem:  “Kosher Face”

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It’s like “The Hanukkah Song,” except that it’s set to the tune of Poker Face, makes almost no sense, and references Adam Sandler as a Jew (which is soooo meta).

But bonus points for including one of the less revered Nicktoons, Hey Arnold.

However, infinite negative bonus points for including Bernie Madoff.  At that point let’s just show Rob Schneider for a fourth time.  Even that would be preferable.

In retrospect, not sure if this video is for or against Jews.

Anyway, L’Chaim!  Penultimate!

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Filed under Nicktoons, Virulent, Woody Allen, Bar Mitzvahs & Bagels

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2009/11/27 · 3:34 pm

Black Friday Fun! Muppetstar Galactica!

So much fun showing up at Best Buy at 5am this morning.  Black Friday is the best!  It’s like Christmas, but instead of receiving presents you have to get up before dawn to literally wrestle with other people to buy gifts.  America!

Anyway, with the Muppet version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” burning up the bandwidths since Tuesday, we thought it’d be appropriate to end the week with another (albeit fan created) Muppet mash-up.  Enjoy!

P.S. The diet starts today, right guys?!?!

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