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Will Ferrell's parody iPod "Switch" ad is glorious
Will Ferrell's rise to power began in the 1995 as part of the cast of SNL, but he didn't really explode until the 2003 film Old School. Thankfully before his star rose too highly in the sky, he was commissioned to film this hysterical iPod ad for the 2002 Macworld Expo keynote. The video is a parody of Apple's own Switch ad campaign, which highlighted real people who had switched to Macs from PCs. In it we meet Will, a part time actor who sells iPods at baseball games and out of the trunk of his car. When you get to the end of the video you'll understand why this one never made it TV. Ferrell's video was shown only once, at the start of the 2002 Macworld New York presentation, but now lives on forever on the internet. This wouldn't be the last time that Ferrell teamed up with Apple's Switch campaign. He also shot two Christmas themed videos for them, which you can find here. Enjoy.
Yahoo's airing two comedy web shows in 2015 and daily concerts this summer
Yahoo has big plans to serve up original shows, just like Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, which have already invested serious money in original programming. In fact, the company just announced that it has two new comedies in the works, which are only the first ones in its brand new lineup of long-form shows. if you haven't heard yet, this comes hot on the heels of Microsoft's revelation that it's also working on a dozen original titles for the Xbox. Yahoo's series entitled Other Space (a sci-fi comedy) and Sin City Saints (about a Silicon Valley tycoon who bought a pro-basketball team), were created by folks with big TV shows under their belt. They sadly won't be airing till next year, but when they start, viewers can watch eight thirty-minutes episodes per title on Yahoo's Screen apps for desktop, mobile, Apple TV and Roku.
Mega64 drags The Stanley Parable into reality, then things get awkward
Whether crafting a hit indie game or approaching confused strangers at random for an Internet comedy bit, a droll British narrator adds a touch of class to any affair - right up until that angry woman starts swearing and throwing phones into traffic. [Image: Mega64]
Yahoo could make original TV shows like Netflix and Amazon
Looks like it's not just Microsoft that wants in on Netflix and Amazon's turf. The WSJ is reporting that Marissa Mayer wants Yahoo to produce sitcoms to air on its rumored new video service. According to those persons familiar with the matter, the CEO wants well-known names from TV to produce four, ten-episode series, each one budgeted between $700,000 and a few million dollars -- the going rate for the average network comedy. We won't have long to wait and see if the rumors are true, as Yahoo is said to announce the shows at an event on April 28th. Maybe this is the moment to get pitching our modern-day remake of The Facts of Life that's gonna make us all stars.
The origins of Samsung's logo.. and its relation to Apple
Given that Apple and Samsung's second California trial is now underway, not to mention that today is April 1, we thought you might enjoy this comical take explaining how Samsung came up with its logo. Apparently Samsung's Apple-inspired design has a long history. via Cult of Mac
This is not the iPad Pro [Video]
A few weeks ago, folks were all too quick to claim that the photo above, found on Apple's website, accidentally revealed a heretofore unannounced larger screened iPad Pro. In truth, the photo is nothing more than a MacBook Pro shot at just the right angle. That said, it's only fair that we warn you that this video depicting a larger sized iPad Pro is also not authentic.
Mike Judge's upcoming HBO comedy 'Silicon Valley' gets its first trailer (video)
You can add tech to the list of topics -- Hollywood stardom, cable news, Westeros -- HBO is diving behind the scenes on, as its new series Silicon Valley will debut April 6th. Mike Judge, who brought the world Beavis & Butthead, Office Space, Idiocracy and King of the Hill, is executive producing and writing the series plus directing the first four episodes. According to the show's press release, it's "inspired" by his time as a Silicon Valley engineer in the 80s. This show is a comedy, and it's focused on several coders living together and working together at large (fictional) tech company while trying to launch their own startup. Silicon Valley's first full trailer debuted tonight ahead of True Detective (and it's embedded after the break), give it a peek and see if it's something you'd watch. Given the pedigree of its backers we're hoping for something more like Curb Your Enthusiasm or Eastbound and Down than Luck, but it at least has to be better than the Bravo reality TV series it shares a name with.
The Daily Grind: What's the silliest thing you've witnessed in PvP?
PvP is not generally thought of as something that can be silly. It's serious. It's competitive. It's engaging. And sometimes, it's also something that involves a team running out on to the field wearing holiday equipment and hiding until the other team finds them. I've run several PvP nights with my current Final Fantasy XIV free company, and while some of them are serious matches, by the end of the night we're usually just having whatever fun we can think of. That's not even counting unintentional hilarity, like avoiding death by running in circles around a column for a minute (that happened) or watching a healer in high-end PvP gear do nothing for most of the match before soloing an entire enemy team (also happened). And sometimes it's even in your favor, like when you're running a battleground in World of Warcraft and the other team barely even manages to capture one objective. So what's the silliest thing you've witnessed in PvP? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
FlapMMO brings non-combat gameplay to new heights
For years, players have sought MMOs that truly offered a combat-free experience. FlapMMO, a massively multiplayer version of the sadly defunct Flappy Bird (not officially sanctioned), is that rare gem that delivers precisely that. In fact, it delivers everything you could ask for in the genre -- no combat, no levels, and a wide-open world to simply explore. It even offers exclusively horizontal progression (since that's the way the screen scrolls, you can't go backward). If all this sounds too good to be true, you should consider also the fact that the game is entirely free-to-play without so much as a cash shop. Chat functions are currently limited, as is character customization, but there's no word from the developer on whether or not this is part of the design or something that will be addressed in the first expansion. You might want to consider giving this wide-open combat-free exploration simulator a try if you've got some free time on your hands.
How fictional Apple fans watch a product keynote [Video]
With so many mediocre Apple spoofs littering the internet -- do we really need another parody of an Apple product-introduction video, white backdrop and all? -- it's nice to finally see a video poking fun at Apple fans with some comic muscle behind it. From the talented folks over at Vooza, check out this hilarious depiction of how Apple fans act during an Apple keynote. While some bits are naturally exaggerated for comic effect, others are incredibly spot on. Enjoy: A few of my favorite lines include: - When the fanboys, at the beginning of the media event, begin clamoring for Tim Cook to "give me those stats!" As anyone who has relentlessly refreshed an Apple media event liveblog can attest, Cook loves kicking things off with cold hard data. - Q: What was Microsoft's marketshare again? A: Nothing like that. - The hoopla surrounding Craig Federighi's hair is great: "I have nightmares that his hair's not there." - "Jony Ive! Look at that bald head.. it's so minimalist." - "Gooooooooold!" The gold iPhone viewed through the eyes of a soccer fan. - And of course, eagerly waiting around for a "one more thing" announcement that never comes is something I'm sure we can all relate too. "He's really just walking away."
Dorkly unleashes a trailer for Gone Home's ideal DLC, Gun Home
Gone Home - it's a nice enough experience. We guess. We said you'd leave it "with a spring in your step" in our review, but you know, like, whatever, man. Still not a game. You know? Games are about fun and stuff. Thank goodness Dorkly is here to reveal Gone Home's (totally not really being made) DLC, "Gun Home." Go on, click through and watch it after the jump. Now this looks like a game. In Gun Home, Katie returns home again ... and this time, it's personal. Katie's sister has been kidnapped by terrorists, and it's up to Katie - backpack full of shotguns and kick-ass - to get her back. OOO-WA-AA-AA-AA Go home, everyone (see what we did there?). 2014's Game of the Year is already here, and it's not even real.
The Daily Grind: Have you messed with other players?
Sometimes, something beautiful happens in shared chat channels. I was playing Final Fantasy XIV and wandering through Coerthas when someone asked at random whether Halo or Metroid would win in a fight. This prompted no shortage of people explaining that those games were not eponymous, which just spun off into more comedy like the original speaker asserting that The Legend of Zelda is about a green guy named Zelda, since why would you name a game after someone who needs to be rescued? It's Super Mario Bros. not Super Princess Peach Is Kidnapped. It was a pretty obvious attempt to get people to correct an assumption that didn't exist, and it was pretty funny. It was also harmless, which is another plus. Not everyone who messes with players is that kind; I've seen people teleport someone to a high-level area and then warp away, leaving the other player stranded, or a tank undressing and then pulling the boss just for giggles. Those might be a little less funny, depending on perspective. But today we're not asking about validity; we're asking about the act itself. Have you messed with other players just for the heck of it? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Apple Media Event Drinking Game
Tomorrow, Apple will hold a special media event during which it will likely introduce a slew of new products. From new iPads to OS X Mavericks, there will undoubtedly be a whole lot of new hardware and software to digest. Per usual, just what exactly Apple has in store remains a mystery. Will the fifth-generation iPad feature Touch ID? Maybe, maybe not. But why busy yourself with such troublesome questions when you can have much more fun playing a drinking game during the media event?
Conan O'Brien talks with designer of Apple's gold iPhone 5s
In a hilarious take on the slick ads Apple often shows at its keynote events, the folks over at Conan go deep behind the scenes to figure out how Apple came up with the idea for a gold iPhone. As it turns out, we have a stylish fellow named Raffi Jaharian from Miami Beach to thank for all things golden. Check out the video below, it's pretty funny.
Humble Comedy Bundle lets you pay what you want for laughs, big spenders get Louis CK
The Humble business model can apply to anything. Now, you can pay what you want for stand-up comedy in addition to e-books, music and video games. For the next two weeks, you can get comedy specials from Maria Bamford, Tig Notaro, Hannibal Buress and Jim Norton for as little or as much as you care to spend. If you exceed the average donation though (currently $8.60), you'll take home Louis C.K.'s killer Live at the Beacon Theater set and three releases from his very good friend, the late Patrice O'Neal. As is the case with other Humble Bundles, anything you download is DRM-free and your donation supports great causes -- all for less than a comedy club's typical two-drink minimum.
Google's Hangout Comedy Club measures your laughs for Comic Relief (video)
Whether or not you believe that laughter is the best medicine, it should do some genuine good at Google's just-launched Hangout Comedy Club. The multi-day event is raising funds for Comic Relief by measuring the laughs at comedy gigs hosted through Google+ Hangouts -- yuk it up and Google will optionally make a donation. The particularly brave can also sit in the virtual front row and heckle from the comfort of home. Sanderson Jones has already taken to the Hangout Comedy Club stage as we write this, but those who miss out on his show can check out subsequent gigs at the source link.
Comedy Central's Stand-Up app puts comics on your iPhone
Comedy Central on Thursday released a brand-new iOS app that's sure to leave you laughing. The app is called CC:Stand-up, and as the name implies, it enables users to watch a plethora of great stand-up comics. The CC:Stand-Up app is finally here, giving you free access to Comedy Central's massive library of stand-up from your favorite comedians. Enjoy the best bits from the likes of Kevin Hart, Louis C.K., Gabriel Iglesias, Daniel Tosh, Amy Schumer, John Mulaney, Pete Holmes, Aziz Ansari and hundreds more. The best part? No cover charge, no two-drink minimum. Those are some big-name comedians there, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. I was personally excited to see hilarious clips from Hannibal Burres, a Chicago-based comedian who formerly wrote for 30 Rock and now for SNL, and Neal Brennan who you might know as the co-creator of the classic Chappelle's Show. Again, given that the app is free, there's no reason not to check it out if you're partial to stand-up comedy. What's particularly clever is that the app, if you want it to, handles most of the work if you're not quite sure what you're interested in seeing. For example, there's a "Featured" mode that will create a stand-up playlist for you based on a particular topic, or if you want, a selection of "best of" clips from the station's archives. What's more, there's also a "Discover" mode where users can find comedians similar to ones they already like based on varying criteria. Most impressive, however, is the sheer breadth of content the app makes available to users. Finally the app gives you the ability to SEARCH our stockpile of over 700 comedians and 6,000 videos -- just type in a comic's name or the title of a specific clip. Our library has everything you're looking for, except a librarian. (We are working on this for future builds.) Note that users must be at least 17 years old to download the app.
Jon Stewart covers Tim Cook and Apple's tax issue
On The Daily Show last night, Jon Stewart covered, in typically hilarious fashion, Apple's recent trip to Washington D.C. to defend its tax practices. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook Funny stuff, per usual. My favorite moment was Stewart's sarcastic take on various senators heaping praise upon Apple. How about we pay you?! How about that? For the inconvenience of you having to keep your money overseas. I mean, the upkeep must be unbelievable, like having a pony. The Tax Code nano bit is also great.
YouTube's first Comedy Week kicks off May 19th, features big-name lineup
Whether it's politics or flamboyant music videos, YouTube certainly has a little something for (mostly) everyone on the interwebs. But, if you're a fan of comedy, things are about to get a tad bit better: on May 19th, YouTube's set to launch its own Comedy Week, a first for the Google-owned video giant. As part of the various live streams, online viewers will be able to enjoy "a mix" of stand-up sets, sketches and music shows -- which includes performances by a slew of well-known productions and comedians, such as Funny or Die, CollegeHumor, Improv Everywhere, Ed Helms, Seth Rogen, George-Michael Michael Cera and many, many more. According to YouTube, the goal for Comedy Week is to "create a one of a kind experience" for those who love the genre, with VP of Marketing Danielle Tiedt adding that the site is indeed "the home of comedy for the next generation." Chances are it'll be a week filled with plenty of LOLs, so perhaps you should take this time to bookmark the corresponding channel -- link for that can be found in the PR after the break.
'iSteve', Funny or Die's satirical biopic of Steve Jobs, is now available online
After delaying the release of iSteve due to the tragic bombing at the Boston Marathon this week, the Steve Jobs parody film went live on Funny or Die's website late on Tuesday. With a run time of 78 minutes, iSteve offers what promises to be a uniquely comedic, if not inaccurate, take on the Apple co-founder's life and persona. In one particularly amusing scene, Jobs becomes furious while directing a "Get a Mac" commercial and rips into a character playing the Justin Long role. Yep, this film gets meta. Lest you think this is a big-budget Hollywood film, bear in mind that the script was written in just three days while the film was shot in less than a week. Needless to say, iSteve won't be generating any Oscar buzz, but it is replete with inside jokes about Jobs and Apple lore that Apple enthusiasts will undoubtedly get a kick out of. The film stars Justin Long as Jobs and features a rather hilarious Jorge Garcia of Lost fame as Woz. If you're not yet intrigued, check out the film's trailer below. The full film can't be embedded so head on over Funny or Die for the full feature.
