9 posts tagged “tv”
Joost just went into public beta (instead of invite-only beta). I definitely recommend you check it out.
Joost is a free (i.e. ad-supported) video delivery system along the lines of the YouTube, but slicker and less crazed.
Users can't upload content - it's one way. However the content includes some stellar TV and film sources like CNN, Comedy Central, National Geographic, Aardman Studios, and new CBS shows. There's also some full length feature films (most of which are bad, but many of which are awesomely bad, if you know what I mean). Lots of independent content, and the documentary section looks really interesting. Also, older content like silent films and vintage horror.
There are commercial breaks (seems like just one 15 or 30 second ad at a time) plus the occasional small pop-up during the show.
To use, you have to download the video player application and sign up as a user, all of which was painless. The interface is attractive and intuitive. Unlike YouTube, the video quality is always good (it's TV and film after all) and the video screen can be whatever size you want.
The downside of this service is that the content options are fairly limited. The major players are not putting some of their prime shows up for grabs (alas, no Daily Show in the Comedy Central feed). However if you like some of these companies' underdogs (Stella, Strangers with Candy) it's your lucky day. Also a lot of really great content providers are conspicuously absent - NBC, FOX, BBC
Much of the series is shot from a first-person point of view which is unusual in most sitcoms, but is very effective here. The rest tends to rely heavily on handheld, almost documentary-style.
Basically, the Office, although extremely awesome is really speaking to 30 year olds preparing for a midlife crisis. This show is for 20 year olds who are just as scared and just as emotionally incompetent.
Note: you know those Mac v PC commercials? These guys are the stars of the UK version.
With reproduced 1970s-1980s color, bad incidental music, screen ratio, and even the old BBC logo, each episode covers a different topic with little regard for the facts and includes scientists performing the most boring experiments possible.
This show is well along the lines of John Hodgman's genre of faux expertise, and perfectly executed to the point of surreality.
Even better is the short interview at the end where he is still trying to chew and can't talk.
Yatta!
The commercial starts with a small nut rolling down a plank that sets off a giant Rube Goldberg-style chain reaction made entirely out of Honda car parts and ends with a product shot. It's notable for being composed of only 2 continuous shots (there is a slight hiccup at the :60 mark).
This commercial ran worldwide but not in the United States. It was created by Wieden + Kennedy in London with voice talent from American radio personality and author Garrison Keillor.
A slightly better kept secret is that he's been a famous comedian in England for decades. He was in the BBC historical comedy Blackadder with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), and with his friend and comedy partner Stephen Fry he did Jeeves & Wooster, as well as a really great sketch show called A Bit of Fry and Laurie, shown here.
Hugh's character on House is grumpy, misanthropic, sarcastic, and serious so it's really great to see him as a wacky and somewhat effete sketch comedian. He can do drama, accents, sketch comedy, sing and play piano and guitar, and do Shakespeare. What more could you ask for?
Religious comedy usually ends up being either too safe or too offensive for the mainstream, but this show hits the sweet spot between getting genuine laughs without really mocking any one religion.
I wouldn't mind seeing this show picked up on cable (the networks wouldn't dare).
Example:
"I work in the Miracles department."
"Oh, is that like Jesus on a tortilla chip?"
"No, that's PR."
Each episode has him on a treadmill (usually in a suit), oil painting, and doing something else (mixing drinks, cook, play chess, or my favorite - make a sushi gingerbread house).
He also takes phone calls from viewers.
If you want to know what's great and terrible about America, you only have to watch this man do his thing.
To any national network executives out there, please pick up this show for syndication - immediately!
Essentially it's an explanation of why six year olds can program electronics without manuals, why video games are good at teaching specific forms of logic, and how the social networks of even the trashiest TV are often more complex than that of yore.
The same points are made frequently and emphatically, but it will help you justify your videogaming, reality-TV-watching ways to your critics.
