Online Fame | A 'blog written by Chris Rhee

No, it’s not the username of a foxy lady (who just might be a dude in disguise) that’s been pestering me for my phone number the past couple of days. It’s actually the file name that shows up for the Kiss The Girls DVD when you put it in your computer. Something tells me whoever created the DVD was still a junior high school kid at heart.

I no longer find lip-synching videos funny or interesting. YouTube users have played out the joke to death (although sadly, some people don’t know it’s dead, yet).

The only funny lip-sync video I still find funny is the unplanned one: Ashley Simpson on Saturday Night Live. I think the impromptu hoe-down sealed the deal.

When I work, I usually always play music or movies/television — working in silence is a little too weird for me. So for the past few days, when I’m not listening to music while I work, I’ve been going through episodes of The Sopranos from my collection. It’s been a while since I’ve got a dose of The Sopranos because they take a lifetime to get a season on television. I had forgotten just how much swearing and violence there is on this (great) show.

I only mention the swearing and violence (and I guess, nudity) because… the show is going to be syndicated on television (on A&E) in an edited format. I’m very interested to see how this works out… I just keep thinking about this episode of MadTV where they showed an edited version of The Sopranos for public television. I’d love to find that video again… Basically, “the show” kept skipping around because rather than editing the audio, they just cut out entire sections of “the show” that had swearing or violence.

On the other hand, I’m not looking forward to seeing them butcher one of the show’s funniest moments, where Silvio is playing poker (and apparently, he gets a bit upset when he’s losing):

[Tony Soprano tells Matthew to clean up some cheese that’s fallen on the floor, next to Silvio’s feet]

SILVIO DANTE: What the fuck are you doing?!
TONY SOPRANO: Sil, take it easy.

SILVIO DANTE: I’m losing my balls over here! This fucking moron’s playing hazel. Get the fuck out of here!

MATTHEW: I was just trying to sweep the cheese away–

SILVIO DANTE: Why? Why now? Leave it there.

MATTHEW: I don’t know, I was just–

SILVIO DANTE: What? Where do you get these fuckin’ idiots, huh? Where do you get them? He’s sweeping the cheese, I’m trying to get… leave the fucking cheese there, alright! I love fucking cheese at my feet! I stick motherfuckin’ provolone in my socks at night, so they smell like your sister’s crotch in the morning. Alright? So, leave the fucking cocksucking cheese where it is! [Silvio starts throwing more cheese on the floor] Here, here, here. Go ahead. Have a good time. [Silvio goes back to playing poker] $800.

DR. FRIED (a doctor who specializes in penile implants): Call.

SILVIO: Hey, why don’t you go fix a fucking dick or whatever the fuck it is you do.

Is it just me or does anyone else anticipate a better than average episode when this warning is read before the show starts?

Due to some graphic violence, viewer discretion is advised.

Frasier– the epitome of clever/witty television (in my opinion) is gone. Futurama and it’s over-qualified PhD writing staff is gone. I haven’t seen too many episodes, but I got all six seasons of Sex and the CIty on DVD for my girlfriend and have seen a few here and there and it seemed to have witty writing. Coupling (UK) takes many months to put out just a handful of episodes. Where am I supposed to get my dosage of clever television?

I have a lot of respect for the writing on Frasier. Who would have thought that a show about two psychiatrists, their dad, his physical therapist, and a radio producer could be so funny for so long? And they didn’t even have to resort to a mentally stupid character to get easy laughs (Joey on Friends, Matthew on Newsradio, Homer on The Simpsons, etc).

So what are the new, clever, witty shows? Please tell me that there’s at least one new one that’s just been under my radar. Don’t tell me reality shows have taken over the networks…

I’m not saying that there aren’t any good shows left, period. But I do enjoy shows that require you to have more knowledge than that of a pre-teen.

For now, I’ll stick to my Frasier DVDs.

Update: Great, it turns out that Coupling (UK) is not making anymore episodes. There are talks about a Christmas special, but the series is over…