One of the great developments in television in the last decade is the invention of Hulu, the (currently) free Web site featuring clips and full episodes of numerous television shows. Originally a joint venture between Universal and 20th Century Fox, there are now a myriad of options for users to catch missed episodes and discover new favorites with high-quality, legal videos (those are the key words with Hulu; you don’t have to worry about the Feds knocking on your door, or getting a headache from straining your eyes to see a poor quality video). Are you looking to discover the best Hulu has to offer, but don’t have plenty of time to spend watching TV on the Internet? Here are some of the best shows Hulu has to offer right now (at least, what the offer from the beginning, so you can become acquainted with a show from the beginning).
“Strangers With Candy” (Comedy Central, 1999-2000): If you are interested in introducing yourself to this show (which you should be), you need to act fast. As of right now, the episodes will expire on Saturday, Feb. 27. Normally I wouldn’t include videos that are going to expire so soon, but “Strangers With Candy” is one of my all-time favorites. In this satire of cheesy after-school specials, Amy Sedaris stars as Jerri Blank, a 46-year-old self-described “boozer, user and loser” who returns to high school to pick up her life where she left off when she left for a life on the streets. I became familiar with this show because of Sedaris’ co-star, Stephen Colbert, who plays a disaffected, rude and closeted teacher, Chuck Noblet. It’s utterly twisted and perverted, and that’s what makes it such fun.
“My So-Called Life” (ABC, 1994-1995): Since “Freaks and Geeks” is sadly not on Hulu, I’ll recommend this great look at the American high school experience instead. Claire Danes’ Angela Chase is a realistic and relatable character attempting to find her place in the high school world, along with her friends Rayanne and Rickie. Her quest to have the quintessential high school bad boy, Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto) also helps to create a conflict-filled high school series that doesn’t sugarcoat the experience.
“The Office” (BBC Two, 2001-2003): Hulu must have realized I was putting this list together, because I looked on Hulu’s Facebook page, and this show was featured as a brand-new addition yesterday. This show goes without saying; it beget the American version (and numerous others worldwide), and any fan of the American version needs to see this version for themselves. Whether you prefer the broader comedy of the American version or the dry humor (or humour, since we are talking about a British show), both are essential viewing. The series finale Christmas special, like the Christmas finale on Gervais' show "Extras," is a hilarious and touching way to end a series.
I’m sure you’re all overwhelmed already by the amount of hours you’ll be staring at the computer screen, so for now, I’ll leave you with these three shows. In my next entry, I’ll feature other Hulu gems.
Showing posts with label ricky gervais. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ricky gervais. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Ricky Gervais proves cartoons aren't just for kids
Most of the people reading this blog are likely teenagers at the very least. So, it's probably safe to say that for most of you, watching animated programming may not be at the top of your TV viewing queue. It's understandable; as we grow older, we want to watch more 'grown-up' programming. However, there are some things that are just better in animation.
On Friday, "The Ricky Gervais Show" premiered on HBO. The show features Gervais, "The Office" co-creator and "Extras" costar Stephen Merchant, and radio producer Karl Pilkington chatting about anything and everything. These conversations are from the podcasts and audiobooks the three recorded approximately five years ago, and are now featured on HBO in animated form. Gervais and Merchant are comedy legends as a result of "The Office," but it is the previously unknown Pilkington who steals the shows. He is a simple, yet incredibly complicated man who says the strangest non sequiturs, and has incredibly strange theories on the world. I was familiar with the podcasts and audiobooks before HBO brought it to a wider audience, but the animation really works to bring Pilkington's wild thoughts to life, and the animation helps one see his "head like a f***ing orange," as Gervais and Merchant say. This clip from the series illustrates what makes "The Ricky Gervais Show" so much fun.
Animating these podcasts helps to bring them to life in a new way, and it allows for American audiences who are unfamiliar with Pilkington to experience his sheer genius. It may seem a little silly to create an animated sequence of already recorded conversations, but it is more captivating seeing animated versions of the three men versus videotape of said podcasts. HBO has worked with Gervais in the past, and they knew the key to making his work pop was to put it in this format. Animation isn't necessarily reserved for kids' cartoons anymore, and, as is the case with "The Ricky Gervais Show," it can improve on already great audio. When Robert Smigel created the Fun With Real Audio segment for TV Funhouse on "Saturday Night Live," he knew that animation unlocked plenty of potential.
It will be interesting to see how the animators will interpret Pilkington's crazy theories in the 13 episodes of the series. This is one cartoon that anyone should watch regardless of age, as long as they appreciate smart comedy by smart people. And Karl Pilkington.
As a bonus, here is a must-see (but not safe for work due to language) video of Gervais on "The Daily Show" last night. Gervais has fantastic rapport with talk show hosts (his Conan O'Brien interviews are classic), and he proves it yet again.
Also, if you want to listen to more podcasts from Gervais, Merchant and Pilkington, they are located here.
On Friday, "The Ricky Gervais Show" premiered on HBO. The show features Gervais, "The Office" co-creator and "Extras" costar Stephen Merchant, and radio producer Karl Pilkington chatting about anything and everything. These conversations are from the podcasts and audiobooks the three recorded approximately five years ago, and are now featured on HBO in animated form. Gervais and Merchant are comedy legends as a result of "The Office," but it is the previously unknown Pilkington who steals the shows. He is a simple, yet incredibly complicated man who says the strangest non sequiturs, and has incredibly strange theories on the world. I was familiar with the podcasts and audiobooks before HBO brought it to a wider audience, but the animation really works to bring Pilkington's wild thoughts to life, and the animation helps one see his "head like a f***ing orange," as Gervais and Merchant say. This clip from the series illustrates what makes "The Ricky Gervais Show" so much fun.
Animating these podcasts helps to bring them to life in a new way, and it allows for American audiences who are unfamiliar with Pilkington to experience his sheer genius. It may seem a little silly to create an animated sequence of already recorded conversations, but it is more captivating seeing animated versions of the three men versus videotape of said podcasts. HBO has worked with Gervais in the past, and they knew the key to making his work pop was to put it in this format. Animation isn't necessarily reserved for kids' cartoons anymore, and, as is the case with "The Ricky Gervais Show," it can improve on already great audio. When Robert Smigel created the Fun With Real Audio segment for TV Funhouse on "Saturday Night Live," he knew that animation unlocked plenty of potential.
It will be interesting to see how the animators will interpret Pilkington's crazy theories in the 13 episodes of the series. This is one cartoon that anyone should watch regardless of age, as long as they appreciate smart comedy by smart people. And Karl Pilkington.
As a bonus, here is a must-see (but not safe for work due to language) video of Gervais on "The Daily Show" last night. Gervais has fantastic rapport with talk show hosts (his Conan O'Brien interviews are classic), and he proves it yet again.
Also, if you want to listen to more podcasts from Gervais, Merchant and Pilkington, they are located here.
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