Dead End Days – Ep. 7 “Something’s rotten at Monopoly Video”

Something is afoot at Monopoly video, something sinister, and underhanded, or at the very least something involving underground zombie movies.

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“We here at Monopoly Video don’t believe the content of such films is appropriate in today’s tumultuous sociopolitical climate.”

Dead End Days shows us a slice of life in a society where zombies are integrated into the culture and respected.

But would you expect any changes in your local video store? I like how this series examines this society through small scenes of the daily grind – here, Zombie movies are now considered politically incorrect. Eric takes on a role, not unlike your local drug dealer, hustling these illegal movies to private customers. Don’t expect any gory zombie attacks or feasts on brains from this series, but instead, a look at how your life might change if the ‘undead’ were living peacefully as your neighbour. Would you live in suspicion and fear, or embrace this new demographic and find a way to make money off them?

More episodes at www.deadenddays.com

You Suck at Photoshop – Ep.2 “Covering Your Mistakes”

MORE: http://www.MyDamnChannel.com/BigFatBrain

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This is an old one, but this episode made me laugh each time I’ve seen it.  I came across it like most people, looking for tutorials on how to use Photoshop.  What I like about it most is the smoothness of the screen performance.  Anyone who’s tried to used those screen capture tools like Camtasia, will tell you that it isn’t easy to do a lot of cuts.

The story about his marriage falling apart continues throughout the other episodes, descending into a police standoff and a train ride to nowhere.  But I’ll let you watch those on MyDamChannel.

We Need Girlfriends – Ep 2. The Blue Party

In the 2nd episode of Ragtag Productions new web-series “We Need Girlfriends,” Tom, Henry and Rod get invited to a party with a very confusing title.

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“How else are people supposed to know that I’m a Rodney Piper fan?”

The fellows go to a ‘Blue Party’ which, it turns out, is no a sex party. And apparently the most humiliating thing in the world is to take your top off at a party.

The first episode was way funnier. I suggest you skip this one and I’ll let you know when you can check back in.

Dr. Tran Mail – S01E04 “Hotel Soap”

Annoy Dr. Tran at TranLetters@gmail.com
Your letter might get its own cartoon!

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“All girls have a crush on Hotel Soap!”

Dr. Tran is visited by his “friend” Hotel Soap, who he (natch) has no memories of.

I like this one because it dips away from the formula of the other ones a bit, and Hotel Soap is a wacky, wacky idea. I just didn’t laugh as much as I would have liked. Having said that, this is still one of the cleverest series on the web, weird without being confusing. And it seems to be easily one of the most popular on the Watch List.

So enjoy! And keep an eye out for his little balls…

Captain Blasto – Ep 2. A Comic Caper

Series continues at http://www.youtube.com/blastoseries

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“You can’t take a baby! That’s kidnapping, not a theft!”

I really like the visual design of the opening titles. Colourful and graphic.

So, here’s where things get moving. A crazy plot is hatched… and suddenly our hero’s life isn’t so boring.

There’s a number of funny bits. What tickles me is that they are staging a fake mugging and because they are inspired by the comics, the “mugger” is dressed up like the bad guys in Scrooge McDuck.

The fake fighting is fun, even if there’s some moments that feel like outtakes that were left in. I still like the comic book split screens, especially where they are used to juxtapose the comic book moments with the reality. What stands to be improved most is the acting. (Something to be said for almost every web series.)

All in all, a fun episode, albeit with an abrupt ending.

Happy Tree Friends – Mime to Five (Part 1)

Do you have a short fuse? Play the game and have a blast with Cuddles, the high flying hare-ball! – http://tinyurl.com/ybdjttm

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Mime needs a job!

Part 1 of 5, Mime to Five chronicles the attempts by a mime to find gainful employment.

The jokes are mostly based on the fact that mimes can’t talk, and they pretend to act out things instead of actually doing them.

There’s a few chuckles, but nothing I would say that makes this installment stand out. Maybe the next 4 parts will have what this one is missing?

Keep watching this space!

Heather’s Vlog – It’s Hereditary

http://liamshow.com Heather explains how vampires become vampires.

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“It’s kinda like marrying a hamburger. You can hold off for a while but eventually you’re gonna eat it.”

You can convert?

Another ep from the backlog of Heather’s Vlog. This one is about two two ways you can become a vampire; you’re either born a vampire or you can convert.

Not the funniest episode of the few I’ve seen, but there’s still one or two big laughs. Still very much worth seeing.

The Challenge with Bob Newhart

Bob Newhart, the beloved “everyman” who has been honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, tests his mettle in “The Challenge.” In it, he will attempt to do “what many people think is one of the most difficult tasks in modern society” – opening a new DVD.

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“I stabbed myself.”

“The Challenge,” like “With the Angels,” which we’ve also reviewed on here was made for Strike.TV, which provided ad revenue to the Writers Guild of America members who were suffering from the 2007 writers strike in Hollywood.

The site actually led to quite a number of web series, all with a reasonably slick look. Unfortunately, most of them, at least most of the ones I saw, weren’t very good.

Even at only one episode, “The Challenge” stood above the rest for one reason and one reason only – Bob Newhart. Although the script is “written” by someone else, the part is clearly Newhart’s – as he rambles on into old paper cut war stories from his days as a clerk typist during the Korean War after stabbing himself with a paper clip.

The video isn’t a bust-a-gut laugh riot, but you feel at ease watching Newhart struggle with the DVD package for his copy of Barefoot in the Park. And his trademark stuttering delivery makes the show charming.

Newhart is, after all, one of the funniest comedians of all time.

Disagree? Bite me. – er I mean tell us who you think the funniest comedians are – living or dead.

Dr. Tran Mail – S01E03 “The Specials”

Virtually Harass Dr. Tran at TranLetters@gmail.com
Your letter might sort of get answered in a manner of speaking!

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“Chocolate is forbidden”

I’d like to take a shit out of a helicopter.

Shane in San Diego writes to ask Dr. Tran about the breakfast specials. But do you know what’s really special… Dr. Tran. (And this is where helicopters and relieving yourself come into play.)

Good episode, even if it feels like the narrator is crowding out Dr. Tran from his own show.

Heather’s Vlog – [Episode 1]

http://liamshow.com Kelly’s friend Heather started a vlog to get the bloody truth out there about vampires…because she is one. Happy Friday the 13th!!!

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“Yes, once and for all, vampires celebrate Christmas.”

Heather Begins…

This is the first episode of Heather’s Vlog and the second one I’ve seen, and it is already something of a guilty pleasure. I’m kinda embarrassed how much I like it. Unlike a lot of stuff I watch (web or TV) Heather and her Dad surprise me and actually make me laugh out loud.

In this introductory episode, Heather explains what her Vampire family does to celebrate Christmas, while Dad tries to watch the skating he TIVOed.

It’s charming and feels honest. It doesn’t feel like they are trying too hard. I’m not sure if it is improvised, semi-improvised, or scripted but the characters are more strongly drawn in a short time than most anything else out there. All without sacrificing the gags needed to make a short online comedy episode work. I wish I could strap Fred down and make him watch it until he gets it. And, yes I know, the guy’s name isn’t actually Fred.

In going back to find the start of this series, I figured a little more out about how it came to be. It is some sort of spin off from something called Kelly Shoes – that’s where the clips from the nano-second long opening is from. And after watching it for the tenth time, the line, “Kelly rocks” makes more sense. But I have no idea who or what this Kelly Shoes person or show is. Why is it presented as if we all know it? I can’t even find any videos of it on Youtube! (If you do, put your links in the comments section.)

Heather’s Vlog is my current favourite comedy web series, and one of my favourite shows, period. Get ready to see a lot more of them posted as I go through the back catalog!

So, would this the first web series spin off? And if not, what would? I have a vague idea that lonelygirl15 had some sort of spin off…