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Tag: funny or die

  • Facebook Changes, Mark Zuckerberg Get A Post-f8 Ribbing

    Yesterday, at Facebook’s f8 developer conference, Mark Zuckerberg announced some huge changes to the social network we all know and love (sometimes). Among those changes is the upcoming Timeline feature that will virtually replace the Facebook profile and looks to become the “story of your life.” Zuck also talked about the Open Graph, which will allow users to interacts with apps in a wider variety of ways.

    Just a few days before f8, the Facebook News Feed got a facelift. A new feed launched, merging top stories with recent stories – and a ticker was added to the UI that shows all the activity going on in your Facebook realm at any given moment. These changes have been met with a little bit of resistance.

    As we’ve come to expect around here at WebProNews, Next Media Animations has just come out with one of their animations that gives their take on Facebook’s big week. In NMA style, the end provides an awesome surprise involving a Matrix reference and what can only be described at a Google+ death pit. Enjoy –

    Check out our recent interview with NMA’s Emily Wu.

    This video from Funny or Die takes on the recent Facebook changes in a little more NSFW format. The premise: Facebook’s terms and conditions allows Mark Zuckerberg to do anything he wants now. If this sounds a little bit like a recent South Park episode involving the iTunes terms and conditions, that’s because it’s mighty similar. But it’s still pretty funny –

    And if you missed it, here’s SNL’s Andy Samberg at yesterday’s f8 conference doing his best Zuckerberg –

  • Netflix Relief Fund: The Upper Middle Class Needs Your Help

    Netflix Relief Fund: The Upper Middle Class Needs Your Help

    It’s been a little over two weeks since Netflix announced their new pricing structure, essentially ruining the lives of everyone in its path. Now if you want to enjoy the connivence of DVD’s delivered to you and streaming content together, you’ll have to pay an additional $6. The humanity.

    Luckily someone is looking out for those affected by this horrendous tragedy, The Netflix Relief Fund.

    “Tsunamis… wars… earthquakes… but one tragedy eclipses them all… Netflix has raised their prices. This is literally the worst thing that has ever happened to white people.”

    As the video states: For just dollars a month you can help an upper middle class American keep their access to DVDs and streaming. Will you do your part?

    Did anyone expect to hear a Sarah Mclachlan song playing?

  • Beastie Boys Debut New Video on Funny or Die

    Although the Beastie Boys previously used MTV’s online arm to promote their return, they’ve turned to another, perhaps more popular outlet to promote their new music video for the song “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win.” Instead of using YouTube’s Vevo or MTV, the Beastie Boys turned to Funny or Die to debut the video. What does this say about modern marketing, even if you’re with an incredibly popular group that sells out arenas all over the world?

    From this perspective, it means you cast you’re lure where the fish are. It’s really that simple and it’s that same mentality that explains why so many companies and businesses are comfortable sending potential traffic to Facebook. Go where the people are, and it’s pretty obvious Funny or Die has a substantial following. Their original content says as much. The question is, can they be an effective music marketer?

    Considering there are over 4000 Facebook likes on the page, and already over 75,000 views of the video, which launched yesterday, that answer sounds like a “yes.” Granted, those aren’t Rebecca Black numbers, who’s new video/song already has over 1 million views, but over 100,000 dislikes. It, too, was launched yesterday. Of course, the Beasties don’t have quite the Twitter reach Young Miss Black does, and it’s highly doubtful people aren’t watching Beastie Boys videos just to hate on them.

    Speaking of videos, the Funny or Die release of the video attached to the “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win” song is a little over three minutes long, and it’s an absolute gem, thanks in large part to the direction of Spike Jonze, the same person who directed previous Beastie Boys videos like “Sabotage” and “Sure Shot.” Jonze is once again on-point as he uses action figures to tell the story:


    There’s also an extended version of the video — over 11 minutes long — and it was debuted today:


    I don’t know about you, but I’d love it if a Yeti had my back like that.

    Oddly enough, the YouTube/Vevo extended version only has a little over 300 views, although, that could simply be a case of slow updating on YouTube’s part. Nevertheless, when compared to the popularity of the aforementioned Rebecca Black, it’s a little dejecting; but then again, you can probably count the number of tweens with the necessary attention span to last 11-plus minutes of a music video on one hand. It could also be a case of these same youngsters being completely oblivious to the likes of the Beastie Boys.

    Nevertheless, the new video has at least one fan, and he’ll be enjoying this video long after the initial hype has died down.

    As for this new era in marketing, how viable is releasing unrelated content to a site in order to promote your work? Or is this a case of the Beastie Boys resonating with the Funny or Die crowd, and because of that, it’s more of a natural partnership than it first appears?

  • NFL Players, Hollywood Vets Star in Awesome Parody, Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout

    Today I present to you the next huge viral video, a star-studded fake trailer for the upcoming film Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout.

    “If you build it, they will come” says the mysterious voice to Iowa farmer Taylor Lautner. Soon he is erecting goalposts and a makeshift set of bleachers to house his own football game in the middle of a cornfield. When Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez steps out of the corn, you know you have something special.

    The clip is loaded with NFL stars and without ruining the video for you, I can tell you that the James Earl Jones role is filled beautifully. And you’ll never guess who plays NFL commish Roger Goodell. Plus, there’s an extra special treat after the credits run.

    If only something this glorious could really come out of the NFL Lockout. Instead it brings nothing but misery and the possibility of a bleak, apocalyptic world where I don’t get the opportunity to beat all of my friends in our fantasy football league. Sigh.

    Check it out below, courtesy of Funny or Die –

    Funny or Die is promoting the video through Twitter, as they ask you to tweet about it using the hashtag #FootballOrDie. Some of the actors in the viral vid have discussed it via the social media site –

    @richeisen
    Rich Eisen    I channeled my inner self. RT @prescribed_: @richeisen your acting likeness to the real rich eisen is sending a buzz to the academy 4 hours ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry · powered by @socialditto

    @TonyGonzalez88
    Tony Gonzalez    Check out my @funnyordie video feat. with Taylor Lautner. Had a great time filming with everyone! http://bit.ly/qK3fni 3 hours ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

    @MarielleJaffe
    Marielle Jaffe    Thanks guys! We had a freaking blast making the video. I’m officially a professional dish washing, apron wearing, housewife! #FootballOrDie 1 hour ago via Twitter for iPad · powered by @socialditto

    @dwightfreeney
    Dwight Freeney    Check me out w/ Taylor Lautner on @funnyordie http://bit.ly/o0l9jY #Footballordie #Hilarious 2 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

    Now, this is pretty great. It might even surpass last month’s wonderful fake TV series Football Cops starring the Manning bros.

    What do you think?

  • Playstation Network Outage Gets Funny or Die Treatment

    In a video, brought to you by the National Nerd Relief Fund, or NIRF, the folks over at Funny or Die warn us about the scourge of vampiric man-children that are taking to the streets, forced out of their basements by the recent week-long PSN outage.

    Check it out:

    Of course, thankfully, the threat of procreation could not be lower.

    There is still no word on when the PSN will be back up and running.  Latest statements have suggested that it could be a while, as Sony says it must “verify smooth operation” before it re-launches.

    PS3 owners were given the news yesterday that much of their personal information had been compromised during the hack, and that could possibly include credit card numbers.

    Hopefully, the PSN will get back on its feet pretty soon, as millions of gamers are struggling right now with a lack of buttons to push.

  • Funny or Die Celebrates Twitter’s 5th Year Anniversary

    Funny or Die Celebrates Twitter’s 5th Year Anniversary

    It’s hard to imagine we’ve had Twitter for only five years. The social networking platform has certainly changed the way we communicate, specifically the speed of communication. While it has advanced so much, it also has been chided as being overly simplistic and a time waster. Both of which Funny or Die highlights in its tribute video.

    The video is hosted by character actor, Ray Wise, which provides a stylized pseudo-documentary feel. Of course, Soulja Boy makes a cameo as well. Enjoy. Oh, apparently Twitter was created by Ashton Kutcher and hipsters.

    (WARNING: NSFW Language)

  • Funny or Die Launches Redesign, New Ad Opportunities

    Popular comedy site Funny or Die has launched a new redesign, adding adds new content and features. The site now provides new themed photo galleries, top 10 lists, and special guest blogs. It also gives advertisers a larger presence on the homepage and more in-video opportunities across the site.

    "Our new design reflects how far we’ve come at Funny Or Die," says CEO Dick Glover. "We’ve grown beyond the top comedy website to become a best-of-breed digital studio producing content for all major distribution channels.  And, along the way we’ve become sustainably profitable."

    The site even has its own HBO show now called "Funny or Die Presents," which premiered in February (and is currently in production for its second season. Comedy Central has also tapped Funny or Die for content, and the company will present its first movie next year.

    Funny or Die Gets Makeover

    The company says this year it has expanded its service offerings to partners and advertising clients. This includes a branded entertainment division creating campaigns that combine brand advertising and viral video.  Examples include campaigns for the Axe Comedy Tour, Cottonelle, Mini Cooper, Pepsi Brisk, Sony’s "The Other Guys," Travel Channel, Edge, Paramount’s "Dinner for Schmucks," and others.

    Funny or Die also points out that it frequently drives trending topics on Twitter, and attracts a great amount of attention on Digg.  Currently Funny Or Die has about 1.5 million Twitter followers and 1.2 million 212,962 Facebook fans.

  • Justin Bieber Buys Funny or Die

    If you’re in the dark to exactly who Justin Bieber is, well you’re about to get very familiar with him as he’s purchased FunnyorDie.com and transformed it into Bieber or Die.

    In the words of Mr. Bieber himself, “I’ve taken over Funny or Die. It’s mine – I bought it. Anything that’s not Bieber, Dies.” Check out the video below for an introduction from the new site owner (it sort of reminds me of Neil Patrick Harris’ role in Harold and Kumar go to White Castle – I guess it’s just the outlandish dialouge)

    To bring the Bieberness into full effect, the site now has a totally Biebed out background featuring his trademark hair as well as several classic viral videos with Justin assuming the starring role…

    Bieber After the Dentist (Original Video: David After the Dentist)

    Dramatic Bieber (Original Video: Dramatic Chipmunk)

    So, what do you think of Bieber or Die? Tell us.

    (Before we get comments, we’re aware this is an April Fools Joke)

  • The Latest Revolution From Apple, The iPad

    The Latest Revolution From Apple, The iPad

    Award winning BBC comedy personality, Peter Serafinowicz, has released a video in which he shows the “latest revolution from Apple, the iPad”.

    What did you think of the video? Let us know.

    I’m sure by now you’ve figured out this isn’t the real iPad… well I guess it could be as this one doesn’t feature a camera either. 😉 This spoof of Apple’s announcement is from Funny or Die’s UK site. Serafinowicz seems to be both poking fun at Steve Jobs and the following video, which is the official one from Apple’s site.

    Do you think the initial comedic value of the iPad will die down anytime soon? Tell us what you think.