Oct. 7, 2008
The new boob tube
In the last few years, an astonishing phenomenon has swept the world. A relatively new innovation has rivaled television's spot as the universal pastime. Millions, perhaps billions, tune in every day - captivated by average people who literally become overnight celebrities. What might this unbelievable craze be? Why, it's none other than the spread of the popular video-sharing website YouTube.com, where anyone with an access to a video camera and Internet connection can upload their own creations and dazzle the entire world with their talents. Of course, with 100 million videos uploaded every day, only a select few stand out above all others.
Silver Chips Online is here with a comprehensive review of some of the most popular user-generated videos on YouTube. It may be difficult to understand why some of these videos are so popular, but there's no denying that all of these videos have created a powerful impression on their global audience.
Video Title: Hahaha by BlackOleg
Duration: 1:40
Views (last count): 60,963,409
Rating: 3/5
Anika: Over 60 million views for a clip of a cackling infant? I love babies as much as the next person, and this absolutely adorable baby does have a cute (albeit slightly creepy) laugh, but come on. You can get this anywhere; just go to any daycare center. I honestly worry for people who actually watch the entire clip, for it should have been at most 30 seconds long.
Monica: Laughter is the best medicine! I could not stop laughing with the baby while watching this. But in my defense - as dumb as this clip may be - the baby is so cute and his ludicrous giggle is so strange that any viewer would do the same. But even so, I do feel rather silly, and the clip does become repetitive after the first 20 seconds.
Video Title: The Dark Knight Trailer Spoof by EvilIguanaProduction
Duration: 5:01
Views (last count): 4,172,180
Rating: 4.5/5
Anika: One of the best amateur parodies I've seen on YouTube. The jokes were clever and well-executed, the costumes were awesome and the Joker impression was impressive. The video deserves way more than four million views but it's been up for only three months, much less than many of these other hits. Given time, hopefully this gem of a homemade video will rise to the top as well.
Monica: Wow, EvilIguanaProduction put a lot of effort into this. I'm not a big fan of spoofs - the vast majority on YouTube is terrible - but this one is actually decent. The realistic costumes were nicely done, and the makeup and props match those of the actual film. The parts that mirror the film exactly drag on a bit, but the jokes are worth it. At a mere four million views, the video is a tad under-appreciated, but EvilIguanaProduction's works are getting better and better; check out their spoof of the trailer for the upcoming film "Twilight."
Video Title: Mortal Kombat Theme by smosh
Duration: 3:20
Views (last count): 13,501,659
Rating: 5/5
Anika: Widely known as the most popular account on YouTube - maintaining their reign over many number one spots like All Time Most Subscribed and All Time Most Viewed Comedians - smosh's Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox are the masters of silly, slapstick comedy. Their homage to the Mortal Kombat theme song, which is their most watched video, hilariously combines "special" effects, fight scenes and priceless facial expressions. Sure, their skits have no point, but they are good fun and succeed in uniting video game dorks everywhere!
Monica: I love this! The smosh duo of Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox is just too funny. I'd say this is one of their best skits - props for their character representations, especially Sub-Zero (are they using a lava lamp, or what?). Although the video and the theme song are a bit repetitive, this clip is fun. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that Padilla and Hecox are pretty cute.
Video Title: Charlie The Unicorn by SecretAgentBob (made popular by gswanson17)
Duration: 3:45
Views (last count): 28,596,530
Rating: 0/5
Anika: Wow. That's three minutes and 45 seconds of my life that I will never get back. Not a single part of that pointless and immature animation was funny and if I hear those stupid unicorns ever again, I will throw my shoe at my computer screen.
Monica: I think some of my brain cells just died. On YouTube, there's ridiculous and inane but funny, and then there's ridiculous and inane but painful. Why this video, which falls under the latter group, has more than 28 million views is beyond me. The high-pitched voice repeating "Charlieee, Charlieeee" is going to haunt me in my sleep.
Video Title: Charlie bit my finger - again! by HDCYT
Duration: 0:55
Views (last count): 50,582,437
Rating: 2/5
Anika: All baby videos appear to be essentially the same and yet they are extremely popular on YouTube. Ironically, I absolutely fail to grasp why they are so addicting, even though I find myself watching this clip over and over again. The smirking Charlie (at least he doesn't have a horn in his face) and his older brother Harry are funny and positively delightful in this clip, but I have no idea why!
Monica: Baby videos always make me wonder what parents (or babysitters?) would film their kids doing stupid things and actually post on YouTube. I don't find this clip funny or cute - lame at best - the only highlight is Harry's British accent. I'm befuddled as to why this dull clip would inspire copycats, but I guess people just like babies.
Video Title: Sneezing Panda by jimwvmoss
Duration: 0:16
Views (last count): 21,788,299
Rating: 2/5
Anika: The first time I saw this video, I was mildly entertained. The second, third, fourth and so on times after that, I quickly grew tired of it. I bet the baby panda wouldn't appreciate such a large audience laughing at its misfortune. That sounded like a pretty serious sneeze.
Monica: Aw, the panda's so cute! The first time I watched, I was entranced, and clicked replay. And then clicked replay again. And again. The mother panda's reaction to the sneeze is absolutely adorable. It's no wonder why this video, of which there are multiple versions on YouTube and even one in slow motion, is so popular - after all, who doesn't love baby animals?
Video Title: Crank Dat Soulja Boy Spongebob by MastaBest
Duration: 3:45
Views (last count): 49,495,833
Rating: 0/5
Anika: Another three minutes and 45 seconds down the drain. Bringing together the world's most annoying song with the world's most annoying cartoon show was never a good idea. I can't believe someone actually took the time to make this.
Monica: I admire the well done synchronization of the song with the SpongeBob clips, but this video's merits end there. "Crank Dat" was only redeemed by Soulja Boy's weird dance moves, and replacing him with Squidward is painful.
Video Title: Daft Hands - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by FrEckleStudios
Duration: 3:44
Views (last count): 23,857,786
Rating: 5/5
Anika: At first glance, the creator of "Daft Hands" simply wows the viewer with his innovation and amazing dexterity. And it doesn't hurt that "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" is just a fantastic song, both before and after Kanye West laid hands on it. Despite a slow start and a novelty effect that quickly wears off, this video deserves a spot among the best.
Monica: The creator of the clip has phenomenal synchronization with the song. The hand motions are entrancing from the very beginning, and only get better as the song becomes faster and the motions more frenzied.
Video Title: Potter Puppet Pals in "The Mysterious Ticking Noise" by NeilCicierega
Duration: 2:06
Views (last count): 51,141,325
Rating: 3/5
Anika: Neil Cicierega is a comical genius. Due to the popularity of the "Potter Puppet Pals" animated series, Cicierega decided to open a YouTube channel depicting live-action puppets. "The Mysterious Ticking Noise" is his most popular YouTube episode and is ranked number 16 on most watched videos of all time for good reason. In my opinion, this is his best episode ever - animated or live-action. The creative thinking behind the video is brilliant: having the characters sing their names in a catchy and humorous ostinato followed by a classic twist. Harry Potter fans and cynics alike will appreciate this awesome clip.
Monica: This might've entertained me back when I was five years old, but now? Not so much. Having the Harry Potter characters sing their names repeatedly makes for a dull three-quarters of a clip, and the twist ending isn't too funny either - only relieving.
Video Title: Crazy Indian Video...Buffalaxed! by Buffalax
Duration: 4:39
Views (last count): 8,248,473
Rating: 4/5
Anika: Everything about this video is absolutely hysterical. Although the song in the video is sung in Tamil, a South Indian language, the absurd "translated" English is the only thing that the viewer hears. The kooky lyrics ("That stuff is pink colored, some day I sell DNA"), in conjunction with the flamboyant dance moves - you don't see those in American music videos - make for a hilarious hit that is grossly underrated compared to the horrible videos that get a lot more views.
Monica: In terms of context, I have no idea what's going on in this video. That being said, it is pretty funny. The crazy dance moves are amusing, and the audio really matches the made-up subtitles. But this clip quickly becomes repetitive, as much of the song repeats and the movie scene switches from place to place in a completely perplexing manner - not to mention the number of costume changes and rapid alternation between slow-motion and normal speed.
Silver Chips Online is here with a comprehensive review of some of the most popular user-generated videos on YouTube. It may be difficult to understand why some of these videos are so popular, but there's no denying that all of these videos have created a powerful impression on their global audience.
Video Title: Hahaha by BlackOleg
Duration: 1:40
Views (last count): 60,963,409
Rating: 3/5
Anika: Over 60 million views for a clip of a cackling infant? I love babies as much as the next person, and this absolutely adorable baby does have a cute (albeit slightly creepy) laugh, but come on. You can get this anywhere; just go to any daycare center. I honestly worry for people who actually watch the entire clip, for it should have been at most 30 seconds long.
Monica: Laughter is the best medicine! I could not stop laughing with the baby while watching this. But in my defense - as dumb as this clip may be - the baby is so cute and his ludicrous giggle is so strange that any viewer would do the same. But even so, I do feel rather silly, and the clip does become repetitive after the first 20 seconds.
Video Title: The Dark Knight Trailer Spoof by EvilIguanaProduction
Duration: 5:01
Views (last count): 4,172,180
Rating: 4.5/5
Anika: One of the best amateur parodies I've seen on YouTube. The jokes were clever and well-executed, the costumes were awesome and the Joker impression was impressive. The video deserves way more than four million views but it's been up for only three months, much less than many of these other hits. Given time, hopefully this gem of a homemade video will rise to the top as well.
Monica: Wow, EvilIguanaProduction put a lot of effort into this. I'm not a big fan of spoofs - the vast majority on YouTube is terrible - but this one is actually decent. The realistic costumes were nicely done, and the makeup and props match those of the actual film. The parts that mirror the film exactly drag on a bit, but the jokes are worth it. At a mere four million views, the video is a tad under-appreciated, but EvilIguanaProduction's works are getting better and better; check out their spoof of the trailer for the upcoming film "Twilight."
Video Title: Mortal Kombat Theme by smosh
Duration: 3:20
Views (last count): 13,501,659
Rating: 5/5
Anika: Widely known as the most popular account on YouTube - maintaining their reign over many number one spots like All Time Most Subscribed and All Time Most Viewed Comedians - smosh's Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox are the masters of silly, slapstick comedy. Their homage to the Mortal Kombat theme song, which is their most watched video, hilariously combines "special" effects, fight scenes and priceless facial expressions. Sure, their skits have no point, but they are good fun and succeed in uniting video game dorks everywhere!
Monica: I love this! The smosh duo of Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox is just too funny. I'd say this is one of their best skits - props for their character representations, especially Sub-Zero (are they using a lava lamp, or what?). Although the video and the theme song are a bit repetitive, this clip is fun. And, of course, it doesn't hurt that Padilla and Hecox are pretty cute.
Video Title: Charlie The Unicorn by SecretAgentBob (made popular by gswanson17)
Duration: 3:45
Views (last count): 28,596,530
Rating: 0/5
Anika: Wow. That's three minutes and 45 seconds of my life that I will never get back. Not a single part of that pointless and immature animation was funny and if I hear those stupid unicorns ever again, I will throw my shoe at my computer screen.
Monica: I think some of my brain cells just died. On YouTube, there's ridiculous and inane but funny, and then there's ridiculous and inane but painful. Why this video, which falls under the latter group, has more than 28 million views is beyond me. The high-pitched voice repeating "Charlieee, Charlieeee" is going to haunt me in my sleep.
Video Title: Charlie bit my finger - again! by HDCYT
Duration: 0:55
Views (last count): 50,582,437
Rating: 2/5
Anika: All baby videos appear to be essentially the same and yet they are extremely popular on YouTube. Ironically, I absolutely fail to grasp why they are so addicting, even though I find myself watching this clip over and over again. The smirking Charlie (at least he doesn't have a horn in his face) and his older brother Harry are funny and positively delightful in this clip, but I have no idea why!
Monica: Baby videos always make me wonder what parents (or babysitters?) would film their kids doing stupid things and actually post on YouTube. I don't find this clip funny or cute - lame at best - the only highlight is Harry's British accent. I'm befuddled as to why this dull clip would inspire copycats, but I guess people just like babies.
Video Title: Sneezing Panda by jimwvmoss
Duration: 0:16
Views (last count): 21,788,299
Rating: 2/5
Anika: The first time I saw this video, I was mildly entertained. The second, third, fourth and so on times after that, I quickly grew tired of it. I bet the baby panda wouldn't appreciate such a large audience laughing at its misfortune. That sounded like a pretty serious sneeze.
Monica: Aw, the panda's so cute! The first time I watched, I was entranced, and clicked replay. And then clicked replay again. And again. The mother panda's reaction to the sneeze is absolutely adorable. It's no wonder why this video, of which there are multiple versions on YouTube and even one in slow motion, is so popular - after all, who doesn't love baby animals?
Video Title: Crank Dat Soulja Boy Spongebob by MastaBest
Duration: 3:45
Views (last count): 49,495,833
Rating: 0/5
Anika: Another three minutes and 45 seconds down the drain. Bringing together the world's most annoying song with the world's most annoying cartoon show was never a good idea. I can't believe someone actually took the time to make this.
Monica: I admire the well done synchronization of the song with the SpongeBob clips, but this video's merits end there. "Crank Dat" was only redeemed by Soulja Boy's weird dance moves, and replacing him with Squidward is painful.
Video Title: Daft Hands - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by FrEckleStudios
Duration: 3:44
Views (last count): 23,857,786
Rating: 5/5
Anika: At first glance, the creator of "Daft Hands" simply wows the viewer with his innovation and amazing dexterity. And it doesn't hurt that "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" is just a fantastic song, both before and after Kanye West laid hands on it. Despite a slow start and a novelty effect that quickly wears off, this video deserves a spot among the best.
Monica: The creator of the clip has phenomenal synchronization with the song. The hand motions are entrancing from the very beginning, and only get better as the song becomes faster and the motions more frenzied.
Video Title: Potter Puppet Pals in "The Mysterious Ticking Noise" by NeilCicierega
Duration: 2:06
Views (last count): 51,141,325
Rating: 3/5
Anika: Neil Cicierega is a comical genius. Due to the popularity of the "Potter Puppet Pals" animated series, Cicierega decided to open a YouTube channel depicting live-action puppets. "The Mysterious Ticking Noise" is his most popular YouTube episode and is ranked number 16 on most watched videos of all time for good reason. In my opinion, this is his best episode ever - animated or live-action. The creative thinking behind the video is brilliant: having the characters sing their names in a catchy and humorous ostinato followed by a classic twist. Harry Potter fans and cynics alike will appreciate this awesome clip.
Monica: This might've entertained me back when I was five years old, but now? Not so much. Having the Harry Potter characters sing their names repeatedly makes for a dull three-quarters of a clip, and the twist ending isn't too funny either - only relieving.
Video Title: Crazy Indian Video...Buffalaxed! by Buffalax
Duration: 4:39
Views (last count): 8,248,473
Rating: 4/5
Anika: Everything about this video is absolutely hysterical. Although the song in the video is sung in Tamil, a South Indian language, the absurd "translated" English is the only thing that the viewer hears. The kooky lyrics ("That stuff is pink colored, some day I sell DNA"), in conjunction with the flamboyant dance moves - you don't see those in American music videos - make for a hilarious hit that is grossly underrated compared to the horrible videos that get a lot more views.
Monica: In terms of context, I have no idea what's going on in this video. That being said, it is pretty funny. The crazy dance moves are amusing, and the audio really matches the made-up subtitles. But this clip quickly becomes repetitive, as much of the song repeats and the movie scene switches from place to place in a completely perplexing manner - not to mention the number of costume changes and rapid alternation between slow-motion and normal speed.
Discuss this Article
Shame on you, SCO!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl6RJyZdBSU&NR=1
But reading the rest of the article, I'd have to say you guys chose weird stuff (though I do dig Benny Lava); there's a lot of much better user-generated material that has millions of views, and on some of the viral videos, there really isn’t much to say. I think if you’re going to write about something like this, go with the obscure and underappreciated; everybody has seen these videos, and your reviews are the equivalent of something we could glean or read in a YouTube comment. Where’s the entertainment in that? In addition, the reviews aren’t particularly witty or insightful, so there too the “entertainment” factor is lost.
Anyhow, I hope I’m not coming across as overly harsh, but I just think Chips should be diligent in considering these things when selecting stories.
Honestly, those are some of the best videos you'll find on youtube.
Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYQLR7dE5k4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWS9_nrKOPA&feature=related
Oh well.
Spongebob is not the world's most annoying show if you look at ratings. Unless you have watched every single cartoon in the world this statement is biased.
"Mortal Kombat theme song, which is their most watched video"
Wrong, their video on Pokémon was their most watched video until it was removed for copyright infringements.
"uniting video game dorks everywhere!"
Since when were video games for dorks?
Video games has been a pastime around the world since its creation in the 60s-70s. People of different ages and ethnicity play video games for decades and you say they are all dorks? (if you even know what a dork is, unless you are calling people foolish/stupid then that just provides a unsupported argument)
Again, biased, but i am not surprised since this entire website is a media and we all know media is biased.
It is supposed to have the opinion of the writer. This is not a news or feature story - if you read any entertainment piece it is humorous and slanted, that is the point.
The fact-check error is however another story and is a blatant reporting blunder.
Did I break it?