Two important bits here at the end of the week. First, if you haven't watched Fleabag, Season 2, you're doing yourself a disservice. Generally, if a show breaks the fourth wall, it's obnoxious (see Saved by the Bell, House of Cards) but it's a device used ever so perfectly throughout this show.

Secondly, if you're a Nashville area resident - come out to the The 5 Spot tonight; the lineup of bands is great. New Man, Jasmin Kaset and Smart Objects are sure to entertain.

That's it! Enjoy some things I found.

• Bill Hader impersonates Schwarzenegger [ DeepFake ] - generally, an interview with Conan wouldn't be quite enough to make it to Friday Videos but this DeepFake replaces Hader's face with Arnold's and it's insanely realistic. Hard to look away.
• Garth Brooks - The Red Strokes - I was recently reminded of the existence of this video and it's... something! Garth playing in a completely white room that gets consumed by blood is not a pitch I would have thought would make it into production but here it is!
• Pikachu + Key + Peele - where Key & Peele impersonating a prior dance or was that original choreography? How deep does this meme go?
• A Flock of Metal - the same guy that does the Smooth Jazz versions of Metal songs will also make pop songs into Metal versions. I'd not seen this Flock of Seagulls rework and it is legit good.
• Great Day - The Lonely Island recently released their visual album for Bash Brothers over on Netflix but, honestly, I just want to watch this sketch over and over.
• News Bloopers 2018 #4 - One of my best friends had twins yesterday. So, if he finds himself with a free moment I'm posting this here for his enjoyment. Congrats, buddy.

Lastly, my pettiest tweet also seems to have the most likes of all my tweets. Is this a sign I should be more petty or just a signal of what the platform prefers?

I've no idea what's going on with this Keanu Gif and I'm perfectly comfortable with that.

Speaking of Keanu, the boys at San Dimas Today (the Bill & Ted podcast I help produce) are having a party in Nashville on June 9th for Bill and Ted Day. Yes, that's actually a thing. If you're in the Nashville area, come by.

If you need a real quick distraction, go enjoy this, then dive in...

• TobyMac answers your questions - maybe it was my mood at the time but this video struck me as hilarious. Is this serious? I think the answer is a resounding yes.
• Buckcherry "Head Like a Hole" - I managed to watch this whole thing and I'm just speechless. It's odd enough for them to cover this song but even odder that it seems no one in the audience even knows the song.
• Twen - "Holy River" - a nice shoegaze-y pop song paired with a bafflingly weird video. I like it but I can't say I understand it.
• News Bloopers, 80's and 90's - yes, it's ten minutes and, yes, you will watch the whole thing. Then you will know that Heidi Godman is legend.
• The Angelic Initiative, #998 - I should devote more insight into exactly what The Angelic Initiative is but, quite frankly, I don't think I could articulate it. At it's core, these two are mediums; channeling something but it registers as total gibberish. It's as bizarrely soothing as it is grating and weird. They may have some questionable beliefs mixed in there too but, hey, it's YouTube!
• HWAT!? - don't know what it is. Don't want to know more. Just want to enjoy.

Happy Friday! If you're in the general Nashville area this weekend, please come by Grimeys on Saturday at 5pm to see Patrick Damphier play songs off of Say I'm Pretty and then come by The Basement during the evening hours to see The Mute Group play selections from Sinister Hand. It's a mini yk Records weekend, get into it!

If you're not in the Nashville area, just go listen to those two records. Please and thank you.

• The Mute Group - "Wuthering Heights" (Kate Bush) - in promotion for the show (And celebration of hitting 3,000 views on another one of their videos), The Mute Group posted this cover of a Kate Bush song. Pretty much perfect.
• Kate Bush - "Wuthering Heights" - have you heard the original version of that song? Bush's vocals are so bizarre but also entrancing. Her dance moves are pretty stellar too.
• Vicky reps Dusen Dusen - John Early has been in a lot of sketches and I randomly encounter a new one that I've never seen. A real treat.
• Beatle Barkers - We Can Work It Out - on paper, I should find this unbearable but, honestly, I kind of love it and have listened to it more than I'd like to admit.
• MarbleLympics 2019 E3 - a combination of Shuffleboard and ASMR; marbles simply rolling down a path. At first I thought this was a fun joke video but, turns out, there's a ton of them and it's no joke. It's delightful.
• Aldous Harding - The Barrel - this video is a slow burn but worth your investment. Take 5 full minutes of your day and just enjoy the entire thing. Great song with a perfect video
• One Star Reviews - new VICE series where the host visits one star reviewed spots on Yelp and finds out how horrible they actually are. This one is for a haircut but the plastic surgeon episode is nuts.
• dragon.gif - this 20 seconds embodies the Internet. It's delightful, it's weird, it's fun and then, for half a second, it's questionably idiotic.

First and foremost, let's remember that Tony Hale is a national treasure and should be appreciated as such.

Got some new irons in the fire with yk Records this week. A handful of releases on the horizon I'm really excited about and looking forward to sharing. Not much to tell beyond that but once you put a schedule down on paper, it really starts to feel real.

If you didn't hear it already, go check out the the Spotify playlist from The Mute Group. It's a wild ride.

Here's a smattering of distractions to really drive you into the weekend.

• Gary Walsh at 2013 Emmy's - I mean, this is perfection.
• Shrek absolutely destroys Westminster agility championship - this made the rounds last week but it has earned its place as 100% Rewatchable.
• What's a Computer? - A classic returns.
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner - a supercut of animated food. Oddly mesmerizing. There's also a part 2, every bit as good.
• The Most Injured Man in America - posted about this earlier but I think this has also earned the 100% Rewatchable badge.
• HBO Watchmen Teaser - I don't know what to make of this. I recently watched this 10-year revisit of the Zach Snyder film and tend to agree with it. That being said, do we need a Damon Lindelof version? Somehow I doubt it.
• Silent Circle - Salico / Disco Rally - if you think TV is good now, you haven't taken a deep dive into German television in the 80's.
• TV Musikladen Eurotops - no, seriously. WTF.
• "At the end of the Day" Supercut - just a good ole fashioned megamix of the same thing over and over and over again. Can you endure?

Look at that regal cat in that hat! What more do you need to slide on in to the weekend and give yourself a much needed break? From whenever you see this until Monday morning, treat yourself like royalty. Thanks.

• Mom When I Visit Home - this is extremely reminiscent of John Roberts character but that's not a complaint.
• GoT Reaction Videos - I don't watch Game of Thrones (nothing against it, just haven't done it) but I think I'm going to start watching these reaction videos for the remainder of the final season. This contains spoilers (obviously) but I don't mind if it means I can see a huge crowd simultaneously lose their minds.
• Every "Hot Ones" Ever - a loving sendup of the bizarrely predictable hot sauce show.
• Hellraiser 'Watch and Wear' Commercial - this one is oddly long but jump 1:35 in and partake in this bizarre technique for selling t-shirts and thermos.
• The Cure, Rock n Roll Hall of Fame - The Cure was recently inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. The Trent Reznor intro is solid but the actual performance is great. Robert Smith looks a bit worse for wear but his voice is every bit as good as it was 30 years ago.
• True Detective - Zydeco - Ashley Spurgeon made this horrific mashup of True Detective and the worst "zydeco." How much can you endure?
• Sonic the Hedgehog - Green Hill Zone (Smooth Jazz Version) - don't waste your time or energy watching the trailer for the new Sonic movie (it was not made for you) and just enjoy this delightful jazz.

If you need just one more, enjoy this disturbing Hidden Valley Ranch commercial.

I woke up at 5:30am this morning, completely unprompted and entirely refreshed. Is this an anamoly or have I entered the 40+ era of existence where your body just compels you to awaken as the sun is rising? Will 6am now be considered "sleeping in"? I guess what I'm asking is, What Is Happening To My Body?

Enjoy some distractions from life's hard questions...

• Mom Made Pancakes - unexpected and delightful.
• Bryan Tries an Experiment He Saw on TV - science, it's legitimate.
• Matrox Mystique Promotional Video - lots to love here but my favorite part is the "keyword" scene; really dramatic.
• Patrick Damphier - Pretend It - yes, I posted this previously but I still want you to watch it again.
• I Think You Should Leave - the new Tim Robinson sketch show on Netflix is a mixed bag but there's at least one bit per episode that makes it worth the watch.
• Things Drunks Can See But You Can't - if the man is actually drunk, this is genius. If he's stumbled for other reasons, this is awful. I choose to believe the former.

Nashville residents, you must watch this. Avoid downtown this weekend, unless you're a True Masochist™.

I'm fairly confident I've used this GIF before on Easter weekend but it's just so damn appropriate, why not do it again?

I'll be totally real, I don't have a ton this week in terms of distractions. I need a few myself so lemme see what I can rummage up...

• Her Smell trailer - Elisabeth Moss is a phenomenal actress but I'm stunned to see her playing a Courtney Love-esque character. Very intrigued here.
• Beyonce - Homecoming trailer - did you see this Coachella performance when it was online for about 12 hours after it happened before being completely ganked offline? It's phenomenal. Even if you have zero interest in the career of Beyonce, this is well worth a watch.
• Meatwad Grows Up - I have never cared much about Aqua Teen Hunger Force but this little revival was a treat.
• How Leonardo da Vinci made a "satellite" map in 1502 - just flat out interesting.
• 7/11 at 3am - absolute perfection.
• Look at him Go - the delightfully weird Internet I enjoy the most.
• When an Irish lad goes to London for the first time! - delightful reaction.

I've been in Las Vegas all week working the Vimeo booth for the NAB conference. It was a refreshing week of talking to Customers and being offline. Much to my surprise, I don't hate standing around all day and talking to people about our product. However, it does mean that I haven't browsed in many many days so offerings this week are gonna be slim.

That being said, here's a few oddball enjoyments.

• Doug Henning, Easter Parade - Henning was a close-up magician in the 70's that embraced the wild outfits and general hippie aesthetic to the nth degree. This clip from an Easter Parade broadcast is unbelievably bad quality - so much so that it crosses over into a Vaporwave feel.
• The Uncle No Rules Show - a full-length kids show brought to you by Brooklyn art kids with an aesthetic that merges Pee-Wee Herman, HR Pufnstuf and modern day acid trip. It's a strange but amusing thing to watch. You can always start with a clip.
• The Super Massive Black Hole - a deeper dive into that new Blackhole image.

And if you needed it, here's your daily reminder that Trump is a corrupt liar. Never forget.

Some housekeeping: Really been pounding the pavement recently with new releases and announcements! The blog gets a bit neglected because of that but the sidebar of tweets and quicklinks should be going strong. So, be sure to steer your eyeballs to the right a little bit if you're looking for more content. OR, if you're visiting on mobile, you're all set. Just enjoy.

Is it weird that I never, ever, look at my site stats? I could be yelling into the void with these posts. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Enjoy.

• Rick Dicks Rock Docs - this is a few years old but entirely new to me. I was very hesitant that this would be the least bit of actual funny but, ya know what?, it's solid.
• Apple Pizza Box Ad - yes it's an ad for Apple products but it's actually pretty fun and the product they pitch - the round Pizza Box - is real!
• Bill & Ted 3 Announcement - yea, you've already seen this but I have a question... is Keanu channeling Ted Theodore Logan or does he just shuffle around nervously like that all the time? Where does Keanu end and Ted begin?!
• America Exe - I think I know what I'm seeing but what am I seeing?
• Superbody - "Patricia" - been enjoying this song + video quite a bit recently. The random graphics really do it for me.
• JOKER movie trailer - I think it's an Internet requirement that everyone watch this. I think most folks are feeling the superhero fatigue at this point in time but, hopefully, this is something different? I'm not invested but I am curious.
• Weigh Down - Don't Give Up - "Weigh Down" is a faith based weight loss program. Seriously. The host is Gwen Shamblin and here she is offering some words of encouragement from a deserted street. There's a lot to say here but I'm speechless.
• Chaotic Neutrals at Their Most Powerful - there are a billion VINE compilations on YouTube. I dunno who takes the time to make them but I thank them for it.

Been a minute since a Friday Videos came together! Sorry about that but, honestly, I been busy! Between trips to NYC and NOLA, I just didn't have a ton of time to encounter the kind of absurdly distracting videos I know you all thirst for here on a weekly basis. That's not to say that I'm going to bring the best goods ever this week but I'll certainly give it a try!

• Cheese Camera - I'm headed to NAB in a few weeks and I imagine it will be this 100% of the time.
• Sharon Horgan & Rob Delaney, Late Night - I think Catastrophe is a wonderful show and I always love seeing these two be interviewed. Delightful.
• Ape Out - I assume this has been out for awhile before coming to Switch but it's new to me. It's a bizarre mix of Saul Bass typography, Raging Ape and outlandish drums... as video game.
• Now Apocalypse - look, I know no one has Starz but I've been fascinated by this show. It's a 90's Fever Dream mixed with the sexual energy of Skins (UK) with a dash of bizarre sci-fi. I endorse it but with the disclaimer to tread lightly.
• Fat Cat - short, sweet, Internet perfection.
• Pete Drake & Talkbox - I've shared Pete Drake here before several times but it's always worth a revisit.
• The Ugly Guide - Endurance Challenge! It's only 5 minutes but see how long you can endure this educational video on calling things out on being ugly. Great lessons here.
• Billie Eilish - Same Interview, One Year Apart - I know nothing about Billie Eilish but this interview of a teen that has found immense success is fascinating.

Happy International Women's Day! I am thankful for all the strong, insightful, talented, hilarious and reliable women in my life. I'm also thankful that I don't have anyone in my life that find's an International Women's Day to be a cause for alarm.

• Deeply Artificial Trees - here's something disturbing! Bob Ross run through Deep Dream. Apparently this was posted a year ago but it's a brand new nightmare for me. Scrub to a minute in and really let it set in.
• Alpha-ghetti - I was looking up various types of pasta this week (as you do) and found that Alphabeto is a recognized type of pasta. Even more amusing is a product called "Alphabetti Spaghetti" - just too pleasant.
• If You Get To Heaven... - Confidence through and through.
• Giant Dominos - I understand this is a great example of learning about energy but I'm confident that wasn't the intent. What a strange thing.
• Spiderman Forever - no getting out of this.
• Leaving Hope - caspar newbolt's short film is available to watch in its entirety. Carve some time out this weekend to do so.
• Jenny Lewis, On the Line - this is three and a half hour variety show hosted by Tim Heidecker with Jenny Lewis and a massive cast of guest stars; including Vanessa Bayer, St. Vincent, David Arquette, King Tuff, Natasha Leggero, Jason Schwartzman, Jeff Goldblum and more. I can't say that it's entirely entertaining but I can say that it exists.

March! Time really does fly as you get older. Maybe it's the repetition of the days, maybe it's the layering of responsibilities, maybe we're spinning faster and faster towards our inevitable demise.. but they really do get away from you.

That was a bit macabre. Things are good. Busy is good. At least, for me. Enjoy some things.

• Paul Rudd: SNES - did you know Paul Rudd was in a Super Nintendo commercial? Did you know he hasn't aged a day since then?
• Things I Wanted - yes, I just mentioned this but you really need to watch it
• Leaving Hope trailer - yes, I also mentioned this but, again, you need to watch it.
• Mission Impossible Cat - this is the Internet you come here for.
• The General Got Back - someone finally did it. The ultimate mash-up.
• Horoscopes for March - this defies explanation and, frankly, doesn't need it.
• I Gotta Go - note to self: watch the new Documentary Now with Paula Pell, John Mulaney and Taran Killam.

Busy week! Releasing new podcasts from Hott Minute, This is the Place, Everything Nice, San Dimas Today and Liquid Gold is enough to keep a man pretty busy. Oh, and also my day job (come work with me).

So, after a long week, we all need some distractions. Here's a few:

• Jet Li - Are You Ready? - a scene from The One complete with mouse bomb special effect, "Down with the Sickness" and a special effects wormhole. Once you're done with that, enjoy this masterpiece.
• Steve Martin, 1979 Academy Awards - for no good reason, I watched the 1979 Academy Awards this week and this bit from Steve Martin was pretty great.
• Chelsea Peretti, Writers Guild Awards Monologue - yes this is 10 minutes but it's an enjoyable little roast.
• VEEP Final Season Trailer - I love this show so much. Sad to see it go but I imagine it'll be a great sendoff.
• Steve Ross, Mountain Lake Falls - Bob Ross has a son and sometimes he'd sub in on the Bob Ross program and give you a fantastic little painting. Steve Ross is exactly what you'd hope for; a heavy metal rocker looking guy that's as sweet as can be. Relaxing as ever.
• Ice Pirate - I can't believe this doesn't end more poorly.
• Parkour Scooter Fail - I can't believe this ends as ridiculously as it does.

If you still need a little something, just go inside Zachary Quinto's $3.2 Million NYC Loft, I honestly found this to be endearing and enjoyable. Bonus, there's a bunch of Architectural Digest videos touring expensive homes and I'm not ashamed to admit that I watched a lot of them.

If that's not your thing, watch a Dutch historian own Tucker Carlson, always refreshing.

I must admit, I'm a little disappointed in the offerings for #wtf and #wtf #dance over on Giphy but it does yield some fruit, so I can't complain.

Been enjoying this Spotify playlist inspired by Mort Garson, early Moog and vintage synthesizer music. You will enjoy as well.

And now this...

• Yesterday - a new Danny Boyle movie in which only one man knows who The Beatles are. Seriously, that's the plot. As Forest said, there is no more hit and miss director than Danny Boyle.
• Missing Teens Friends Go On TV To Plead For Her Release - this Onion News Network segment is the pinnacle of acting.
• Bill & Ted & Chuck - the opening scene of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure recut with the original track "I Can't Break Away" by Chuck Jackson, rather than Big Pig. One acquaintance of mine reviewed it as "too postmodern." Everyone's a critic.
• Windows 95: Hall of Tortured Souls - more Easter Eggs in software please, thank you.
• Little Diddy - you see it coming but it still hits home. I hate that I loved this.
• .flex Best Meme - you can tell from the title this is going to be Deep Internet. I really hate that I loved this.

A little motivational doggo to kick off your weekend. Enjoy some distractions and try not to work too hard.

• Two Old Men - Entertainment - with the release of the latest Hott Minute episode, I just had to revisit some bits from Two Old Men. Perfection.
• Bill Murray on his life - Murray is often championed as the Surprise Partier. There's even a movie about it. But the man is capable of eloquence worth hearing... imo.
• Cybertronic Spree - "Immigrant Song" - I shouldn't be but I'm baffled at the existence of a band that dresses up as the characters from the 1985 Transformers movie and plays songs from the soundtrack and occasional cover.
• Abbi and Ilana - Hot Ones - I hate myself for continuing to watch this Hot Wing Interview show but I'll be damned if the discomfort of the interviewees isn't proper entertainment.
• Goth Underpass - be honest, it's been too long since you've watched this.
• Cat Jump - fin.

This Sunday, Feb 3rd, I turn forty years old. I've got plenty of thoughts about such a thing but I won't bother with trying to eloquently express them here as this blog is certainly not known to be a haven of eloquence. However, I will say, it's a mixed bag of melancholy and excitement. My younger self didn't foresee 40 in the way it's actually turned out and I'm 100% comfortable with that. Younger selves don't know a damn thing.

But thanks for reading! I've been doing this blog since my 20's and it's crazy to think I'm still at it. With that being said, here's some healthy distractions:

• Say I'm Pretty commercial - hey, I made a little ad for the Patrick Damphier record I helped put out!
• King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Cyboogie - you may have seen this posted previously but this band, a favorite of mine, has officially entered their TRANS era.
• Deluxe Horoscopes for February - as far as I'm concerned, this is quality Internet right here. Don't know what it is. Don't want to know more. Just want to enjoy the oddity.
• Fat Juul Rip - less on the quality side, more on the stupidity enjoyment.
• Steve Buscemi + Jennifer Lawrence Mashup - in the future, nothing is real.
• Almost Struck By Lightning compilation - remember, death is all around you. At least stay for the tree strike about a minute in, unreal (but real).
• Chonky boi on escalator - and, just like that, delight embraces you.

Let's switch it up this week. Here's some distracting but longer form videos, peppered with the occasional stupidity.

Be sure to enjoy this entire series of GIFs from the Viktor & Rolf's 2019 collection. So easy to hate it and love it simultaneously.

• Laura Dern breaks down her most iconic characters - I love this series of interviews and Dern's career is a long one, worth a look at.
• Language and Translation in Isle of Dogs - mini-doc on the usage of various languages, subtitles and the perceived whitewashing involved with Wes Anderson's animated film. I've actually not seen the film yet but found this compelling, none the less.
• How Bergdorf Goodman’s Holiday Windows Were Made - these windows are always insanely impressive and it's nice to see a little peek behind the curtain of how they get created.
• How Tax Brackets Actually Work - tell your mom.
• Gordon Ramsay on Hot Ones - this show is not something I suggest watching from start to finish but if you jump ahead to the final few wings that Ramsay eats, it's delightful to see him painfully squirm.
• The Very Best of John Candy - a pleasant compilation of adoration and clips.
• Cat Breaks the Blinds - the anticipation makes it that much better.

I flew to NYC on Wednesday night and back on Friday morning. I'm beat. As we slide into the weekend, be sure to watch this Patrick Damphier video and then enjoy the distractions below.

• Ornament - Better Saturday - really enjoying this song and the video has a Beatles-esque vibe with its goofiness; which I find entirely endearing.
• Curse of the Weggy Board - 2 minutes of the same varying joke but I was locked in the whole time.
• Goalkeeper Cat - maybe I'm overly tired but I found great delight in watching this cat leap into the air.
• Ok Google Copy Me - as John Baldwin said, "we have failed this little boy." Actually sweetly endearing... and a bit sad.
• Homer reminisces about Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. for 10 minutes - ENDURANCE CHALLENGE. Can you even make it a minute? Via Ashley.

Before we dive in, here's another quick Garth Brooks Chris Gaines Countdown update - I've added a bunch of tools and extra code to make it easier to share the GIFs I made on Twitter. You can directly embed now (like a Giphy GIF) or more quickly download as well. It's pretty swell and I suggest you try it out because that just helps the cause even more!

Okay, on to the distractions:

• When VR gets too real - when you try virtual reality for the first time, don't drop a grenade. The very end sound bit is my favorite.
• The Secret of Tortilla Chips - this is absolute perfection. It's a gag in a gag in a gag and he nails it.
• Fake Neighborhoods on Google Maps - generally, these kind of semi-funny, semi-informative YouTube videos miss the mark and land on "too annoying to watch" but this one hit the mark for me. Amusing, insightful and possibly even worth pursuing more.
• How NeoPets was sold to Scientologists - flat out interesting if you've got 16 minutes.
• kittykay96 - don't question what you're seeing, just enjoy the ride. I did.
• Don't Underestimate My Fastness - this is what the founders of the Internet had in mind when they created this wonderful ecosystem for us all.
• Pon Pon Turtle - delight.

First Friday Videos of 2019 and I'm a little shorthanded. I've been enjoying the time off since Christmas and haven't really browsed a ton of "funny" lately. So, this one is going to be a bit more eclectic.. maybe that's an okay thing.

• Ball & Stick - I don't claim to understand what is happening here but I suspect there's a rich history behind Bill Wurtz that I should understand, I'm just not there yet.
• Phillip Seymour Hoffman & Paul Thomas Anderson - a mini-documentary showcasing the history and intense friendship between these two talents. Very much enjoyed.
• Blood Dome - Rick and Morty - in general, I keep Rick & Morty at arm's length because the intense fandom around it is just too much (for me). However, when it crosses paths with Paul Robertson, I can't look away.
• Amy Sedaris, Greenwich Apartment Tour - it's been this way forever but Amy Sedaris manages to find the balance between adorable and subversively strange. It's why Strangers with Candy worked and it's why this tour is worth your time.
• How Mary Poppins Changed Movies Forever - I can't explain why but this piece on Mary Poppins is really a brief history of the green screen and how Petro Vlahos revolutionized it. The most bonkers part is that the Disney movie was shot with a special camera they built that they could never recreate. One and done. How is that possible!?
• One Trillion to the Tenth Power - don't ask yourself if it's real or not, just enjoy it.

Good to see you again.