Comedian of the Week - Black 20

Black 20 is one of a bajillion studios nowadays that are trying to make it on the internet by making comedy shorts and viral videos. Since I spend my waking hours on the internet, I've stumbled across them several times. While my favorite of their videos is the Citizens of Grand Theft Auto series that they did for IGN, this video seemed fitting considering its the long weekend. Happy Easter everyone.

EDIT: They've also done a great editing job on this Jackie Chan video here. If only this actually happened in the stupid new Karate Kid remake.

2001 is stoked!

"Billboard is reporting on a new initiative by Univeral Music Group to cut CD prices across their entire lineup. Starting in the next quarter and for the rest of 2010, the company will test lower CD prices. Single CDs will have the suggested list prices of $10, $9, $8, $7 and $6. The label plans to release deluxe editions at a higher price point. With Universal the largest music company right now, the move is likely to push prices downwards at the other majors as well."

This isn't an initiative, its an antique clearance sale for coasters.

Why I love Canadian politics

Went to question period yesterday. The things you learn that aren't on CPAC. Justin Trudeau is a fratboy shitdisturber, Stephen Harper literally cleans his fingernails while the Bloc ask him questions (no joke!), and the second anyone mentions supporting the troops or police officers everyone regardless of party stands and cheers. The Tories played that card three times. Good to see our politicians hard at work.

Comedian of the Week - N*gger Wetb*ack Ch*nk

I'm probably 4 years behind on this considering when the play first started touring but I don't think it ever came to Canada, which is a pity because there are so many things going on with N*W*C that I love. First and foremost, race humor done well. The play is done with a reflective critical lens and is exactly the direction I think discussions about race politics need to go. Blunt, aggressive, and raw but also light-hearted, self-effacing and funny.

In watching their interviews the actors address the controversial title of their play by pointing out how these words have a certain control over us and the whole purpose of using them in the play was to address and de-power them. Score one for the good guys. In regards to the video above, its amazing how quickly three little words repeated over and over can shift from shock, to slapstick, to disgust.

Secondly, Steven T. Seagle co-wrote, directed and produced the play. Yeah that's right, the same guy who wrote the famous Superman comic/reflection 'Its a Bird', founded the popular kids show Ben 10, and wrote one of my favorite cult comics of all time (Sandman Mystery Theatre) also does minority theatre. Is there anything this man can't do? (Other than come to Canada of course.)

If you get a chance, watch the promo as well. Funny stuff and full of accolades and interview material.

On watching the Olympics

I don't understand bobsledding. If I wanted to hurl at breakneck speeds without any way of stopping I'd buy a Toyota

Band of the Week - Lowtalker

Misery Signals + Comeback Kid = Lowtalker

Lowtalker - People Worry About Everything (FC Records) from Casey Hjelmberg on Vimeo.

They already have 2 songs up on their Myspace page and I can't tell you how stoked I am for this.

Comedian of the Week - The Onion

I'm told I use this word a lot. As a matter of fact whenever I said it in Montreal people would look at me funny because nobody had heard it before and supposedly 'stoked' is a West coast word. Weird.

Anyway, an easy decision this time around. The Onion is prolific, always funny, and clever. This one's my favorite of their videos by far, if only for the ridiculousness at the end.