More Entertaining Videos

Here are a few more videos I have found that you might find mildly entertaining.

• "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"
Joss Whedon created an Internet-only video starring Neal Patrick Harris. Buy it on iTunes and enjoy quality music!

• Weird Al Yankovic
I've been known to sing "White and Nerdy" for days after listening to it, and "The Saga Begins" is by far one of the most superior parodies I've ever seen and heard. (It's still unsettling to see Al without glasses!)

• Achmed the Dead Terrorist
David nearly made me pop my stitches this summer with the help of this guy. His performance in Jeff Dunham's Christmas special was incredible, not in the least because of Guitar Guy.

• "My Humps"
Well, not my humps, but... First, watch The Black Eyed Peas version. Then enjoy this fabulous parody by Alanis Morissette, who has a great sense of humor.

• "Prop 8: The Musical"
Jack Black as Jesus? With clever lyrics and an interesting cast, this video is a surprising delight.

What videos do you like to watch?

List Fever, With a Little Monty and Al

If ever you get the urge to wile away a ridiculous amount of time, check out The List Universe.

Tonight alone, while waiting for the Super Bowl to actually start (and checking out the jade on GemsTV), I read a few fun lists:

• 30 Unfortunate Quotes
• The Top 5 Worst Thanksgivings (which, though distressing, is not as bad as it sounds)
• The Top 25 Monty Python Sketches
• 25 Hilarious Motivational Posters
• Top 10 Weird Al Yankovic Videos
• Top 10 Evil Children
• Top 15 Best Movie Sequels
• Top 10 Bizarre Mustaches (my first list)
• Top 15 Movie Misquotes

Now, as with all lists, you will not agree with everything the list author includes (or excludes). Heck, you might not agree with any of them. But you will enjoy them. Just try to overlook the typos and some awkward attempts at English "grammar."

Two musts:

• The Saga Begins (Top 10 Weird Al Yankovic Videos)
• Ministry of Silly Walks (Top 25 Monty Python Sketches)

Now, go read an interesting list. Or two. Or 10. (Betcha can't read just one....)

Enjoy!

YouTube and Doing the Right Thing

If you want to see anything that has been video recorded, chances are it's on YouTube.

Many people who actually own the videos post them themselves on the YouTube Web site, including Weird Al Yankovic, the Dixie Chicks and Britney Spears.

Nickelback's record label also has posted a couple of their videos, including "Rock Star" (censored and not) and "If Everyone Cared." (I have recommended in the past that you listen to Nickelback. I hope you did. If not, please stop what you're doing right now and watch "If Everyone Cared." You don't have to be a fan to appreciate the call to character. You will be moved by what the band encourages.)

Not everyone owns the videos they posted, which is a shame. If it's not yours, it's not yours to give away.

The Internet is a big place — and if you want to hear and see free video and audio clips, there are plenty of legal ways to do it. I watched/listened to Fergie on Yahoo for months before I purchased "Fergalicious" (then soon after purchased the "clean" versions of the songs I liked). I continue to listen to Shakira to determine if I want to purchase her latest disc. If I'm not sure if I want the entire disc, I take the safe route and purchase the singles on iTunes.

Sometimes, posting videos seems harmless — after all, if you're not making any money, what's the harm? You tell yourself you're actually helping to sell the album if you post pictures of your pre-teen cousins dancing to "Hips Don't Lie" by the Chipmunks — people will go buy it now, you tell yourself. The thing is, rationalization doesn't make it right. It's still not yours to give away.

So watch what's legal, do what's right. And go watch "If Everyone Cared." Let me know when you do, and let me know what you thought of it.