Laughs »John Roberts

my son is gayNew York City is home to a sea of comedians, each aching for recognition, attending tons of improve and comedy classes. It's hard out there for a funnyman. But now adays, Youtube can be a talented person's best friend, and in this case, John Roberts has become widely known for his short films and endearing characters.

I am partial to his winsome impersonations of his mother that are hilarious and very sweet. In one video she finds out her son is gay and in another she is enjoying all aspects of getting a Christmas tree.

Other favorite character, Debra, an adolescent drama queen who is constantly feuding with bff Jackie, has gained a cult following among real high pitched teenage girls who do their own impersonations of the character on youtube in homage.

Roberts was featured in Time Out, where I first heard of him and performs around town. I couldn't find any upcoming shows for his solo act or the comedy troupe The Dregs, of which he belongs to, but do plan on seeing him when he's back on stage.

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Posted on November 26, 2007

Laughs »Catch 5

catch 5This gloriously dated news jingle is not simply just another forgotten relic from the past; when WEWS-TV in Cleveland commissioned writer Frank Gari (not to be confused with the controversial architect) magic was made. In fact, the tune was such a hit that the station kept it their promotional jingle through the eighties and it kicked off the newscast jingle trend nation-wide.

But WEWS's influence doesn't stop there: they were also the first in Cleveland to feature a regularly scheduled African-American anchorman named Bill Jacocks.

As for those men and women you see having a ball in this commercial?

Gib Shanley, the featured sports guy, was a controversial figure in his time, once burning the Iranian flag in protest of an Iranian burning the American flag.

Dorothy Fuldheim is considered the “First Lady Of Television News”. She started in Cleveland in 1947, when it was the only news station between New York and Chicago. No stranger to controversy herself, she ad-libbed this response to the Kent State shootings: “What is wrong with our country? We're killing our own children.”

This song and ad makes it looks like a fun and games disco, but the WEWS-TV staff was full of revolutionaries, man!

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Posted on November 19, 2007

Laughs »The Sunday Funnies (Worst Laugh)

andy capp sunday funniesIt all began over pitchers of beer at Lederhosen. Fred, Jim and I were discussing the terrible blight on American culture known as the Sunday Funnies. With a few exceptions (Far Side and Calvin and Hobbes) there is little in this most disappointing section of the paper to laugh at.

We spoke of the Viking on-the-verge-of-divorcing-his-wife Hagar the Horrible; the Spencer's Gift Cardesque lite humor of the sometimes inexplicable B.C.; the depressing drunken political birds of Shoe; the almost so bad it's good neurotic woman stereotype Cathy

Of course, we concluded that wife-beater Andy Capp was the worst, but it's only fair to mention that we had forgotten all about the hilariously abusive relationship of the Lockhorns.

Also, since we, like the rest of the world, haven't actually read the funnies in years, we didn't know much about newer comics like Adam at Home. Please tell me why this is funny.

One thing is certain: if you want a job with longevity and security become a comic strip artist. Just ask Brad Anderson how many crazy situations he's had to get Marmaduke into in the last billion years.

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Posted on November 12, 2007

Laughs »Kasper Hauser Sketch Comedy (Best Laugh)

kasper hauser jacobusPick for the week of Aug. 6th
Here's what I said then:

The Kasper Hauser could quite possibly be the best comedy troupe working today, their 'This American Life' satires are spot on and hilarious and I'm also nuts for Jacobus and his video diaries from the 14th century. Just watch and listen for yourself because I can't do it any justice. Some of the greatest things I have seen and heard all year.

Runners Up:
Pickle Kids
Invite Them Up
AD/BC
Triumph vs Star Wars Geeks
Michael Cera

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Posted on November 5, 2007

Laughs »Party Costumes

Halloween CostumesNo wonder more and more grown ups are catching on to the idea that Halloween doesn't have to be for children only, an idea I have always held on to (guess who's the only one dressed up for Halloween at work every year?); when else do you get to exercise such creativity?

Take a look at all the fabulous costumes that my friends came in to our first annual Halloween food and fright fest. (Sorry to all that missed their photo op).

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Posted on October 29, 2007

Laughs »Redubbed GI Joe PSAs

GI Joe RedubI actually watched these years ago, they were among the first viral videos I had seen. The best element of these redubbed GI Joe public service announcements are the random and bizarre things Eric Fensler has put in their mouths. “Porkchop sandwiches!”; “I'm a computer.”

Fensler's tidy, great site shows that he's done more than just these incredibly popular spoofs. His work can be seen on spots for Adult Swim's Sealab 2021 and videos for musicians like Daniel Johnston.

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Posted on October 22, 2007

Laughs »Pickle Kids

Pickle Kids There are numerous videos of kids and pickles available for your enjoyment. We all love the lick happy little girl from The Soup, but none hold a candle to this chubby adorable eater who never gives up on his pickle even when it torments his entire being. I love this! Make sure to watch part two.

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Posted on October 15, 2007

Laughs »Monster’s Gonna Kick My Ass

Laughs »Laughing Baby

Laughing Baby He laughs, I laugh even harder.

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Posted on October 1, 2007

Laughs »1966 Prediction Of The Home Computer in 1999

Future Home ComputerThe future is now and, despite the hilarity of this video, they weren't totally off from the way things worked out. I know my husband goes to his own huge computer den to pay for all the shit I buy with his hard earned money. They missed the whole internet thing, but it's hard to predict stuff that has't been invented. This is available in its entirety from my favorite Skip at A/V Geeks.

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Posted on September 24, 2007