Web Series http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series Web Series RSS 1.0 feed. daily 1 Web Series http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series http://www.thedailyreel.com/logo.png Greg Pattillo, Beatboxing Flute Player http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/05/15/greg-pattillo-beatboxing-flute-player No, I'm not speaking metaphorically. Greg Pattillo is a beatboxing flute player, and a kickass one at that. And if you can't get to New York's Washington Square Park to see him perform this remix of the theme from "Inspector Gadget" live, YouTube has the next best thing. Once you're hooked, click over to the Super Mario Brothers theme , the Sesame Street theme , and for all you Prokofiev fans (you know who you are), Peter and the Wolf . Wanna see him play in the subway with a cellist? Or in the park with a rapper who spins rhymes about reading Herman Hess? Or perhaps you'd prefer his ode to Jay Z . Whatever your favorite flavor, Pattillo's peformances are deliciously surreal, whimsically fresh, and quite possibly some of the best dance music you've heard in a while. Rock on, badass tweedler! No, I'm not speaking metaphorically. Greg Pattillo is a beatboxing flute player, and a kickass one at that. And if you can't get to New York's Washington Square Park to see him perform this remix of the theme from "Inspector Gadget" live, YouTube has the next best thing. Once you're hooked, click over to the Super Mario Brothers theme, the Sesame Street theme, and for all you Prokofiev fans (you know who you are), Peter and the Wolf. Wanna see him play in the subway with a cellist? Or in the park with a rapper who spins rhymes about reading Herman Hess? Or perhaps you'd prefer his ode to Jay Z. Whatever your favorite flavor, Pattillo's peformances are deliciously surreal, whimsically fresh, and quite possibly some of the best dance music you've heard in a while. Rock on, badass tweedler!

]]> 2007-05-15T17:27:08-05:00 2007-06-06T14:46:03-05:00 Jill Weinberger music Look Shiny - Wee Scrap of a Man http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/04/20/look-shiny Claiming to be a "variety show that's short on format and long on the exuberance of arrogant youth," Look Shiny is a daily dose of dry, often sarcastic ramblings. In this Wee Scrap of an episode, the show's host, Nick Douglas, "talks to himself" about three iconic American topics: sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Like him or not, you gotta admit the man's got a point. How often go you see a five-foot frontman rocking out hardcore to his millions of adoring fans? Claiming to be a "variety show that's short on format and long on the exuberance of arrogant youth," Look Shiny is a daily dose of dry, often sarcastic ramblings. In this Wee Scrap of an episode, the show's host, Nick Douglas, "talks to himself" about three iconic American topics: sex, drugs, and rock n' roll. Like him or not, you gotta admit the man's got a point. How often go you see a five-foot frontman rocking out hardcore to his millions of adoring fans?

]]> 2007-04-20T18:04:19-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:19-05:00 Felicia Williams web series web series The Michael Showalter Showalter http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/04/16/the-michael-showalter-showalter The concept behind the Michael Showalter Showalter isn't terribly complex, consisting mainly of interviews and random comedy bits. But Showalter, an alumni of The State, is hilarious just sitting behind a desk wearing a indigo-blue cardigan -- and he doesn't just sit there (check out I Heart Showalter if you haven't already). While some comedians require good material, some comedians are damn funny. Showalter definitely brings the comedy gold. The concept behind the Michael Showalter Showalter isn't terribly complex, consisting mainly of interviews and random comedy bits. But Showalter, an alumni of The State, is hilarious just sitting behind a desk wearing a indigo-blue cardigan -- and he doesn't just sit there (check out I Heart Showalter if you haven't already). While some comedians require good material, some comedians are damn funny. Showalter definitely brings the comedy gold.

]]> 2007-04-16T18:28:48-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:16-05:00 Liz Miller web series Breakfast at Sulimay's http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/04/11/breakfast-at-sulimays Talk about a generation gap! Breakfast at Sulimay’s takes modern music, and plays it to bunch of elderly gents. Starring three sort-of grumpy old men, Joe, Moon, and Phil, I can’t tell if I like the show because it samples some of my favorite music or because the food-minded threesome reminds me of my own grandfather. All I can say is this show is priceless. Watching a bunch of “old folks” listening to Peter Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks” is definitely a trip. Though my favorite part of this episode is definitely when Moon asks if Ghostface Killah is part of the “Wun Tang Clang.” Amazing! Talk about a generation gap! Breakfast at Sulimay’s takes modern music, and plays it to bunch of elderly gents. Starring three sort-of grumpy old men, Joe, Moon, and Phil, I can’t tell if I like the show because it samples some of my favorite music or because the food-minded threesome reminds me of my own grandfather.

All I can say is this show is priceless. Watching a bunch of “old folks” listening to Peter Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks” is definitely a trip. Though my favorite part of this episode is definitely when Moon asks if Ghostface Killah is part of the “Wun Tang Clang.” Amazing!

]]> 2007-04-11T12:47:59-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:17-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Best Night Ever http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/04/02/best-night-ever Targeting episodic television fiends, Best Night Ever uses cool graphics and clip-based formatting to be the commercial epitome of the hip 20-something voice. Created for VH1's Best Week Ever website, this series of daily webisodes highlights all those primetime moments you miss while working late or out with friends. As an addict of the rumor-mill round-up site bestweekever.tv , I may be slightly partial to loving BNE's snarky, multi-host format. But, putting my personal preferences aside, I still can't see how anyone could hate a series that condenses an entire evening of television into three minutes!
As an addict of the rumor-mill round-up site bestweekever.tv, I may be slightly partial to loving BNE's snarky, multi-host format. But, putting my personal preferences aside, I still can't see how anyone could hate a series that condenses an entire evening of television into three minutes!
]]> 2007-04-02T19:10:34-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:18-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Women of Warcraft http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/03/27/women-of-warcraft I am not a Woman of Warcraft, so I have little to no idea what this show is actually about. But, what I can tell you is that the host, Molly, is spunky and knowledgeable. Her voice is very crisp and clean and she owns every segment and geektastic monologue in the show. As a podcaster myself, I think that WoW -- an abbreviation adopted by shows creators -- is a great example of what a niche show should be. It's a little urban and fun, while being admittedly dorky at the same time. If I knew more about Warcraft, I feel like I'd appreciate WoW twenty times more. I may need to watch a few more episodes before I can crack those warrior codes.
As a podcaster myself, I think that WoW -- an abbreviation adopted by shows creators -- is a great example of what a niche show should be. It's a little urban and fun, while being admittedly dorky at the same time.

If I knew more about Warcraft, I feel like I'd appreciate WoW twenty times more. I may need to watch a few more episodes before I can crack those warrior codes.
]]> 2007-03-27T13:34:59-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:15-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Lil Scrappy's G's Up TV http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/03/21/lil-scrappys-gs-up-tv Beyond his contributions to the world of southern rap, Lil Scrappy has been dominating the online video charts. His web series "G's Up TV" regularly gets over a hundred thousand hits -- that's 100,000 hits PER VIDEO -- making it one of the most watched shows on YouTube. Intercutting interviews (conducted in what I'm guessing is Lil Scrappy's actual living room) with video diary segments, this is a surprisingly well-produced and insightful series. Here, in episode 7, we find out exactly how rapper Skittles got his name (abridged version: because they come in different colors, just like his hos), before discussing Scrappy's relationship with his mother. It's cool stuff. Just be prepared for a whole lot of n-words. They be flying about, yo. Beyond his contributions to the world of southern rap, Lil Scrappy has been dominating the online video charts. His web series "G's Up TV" regularly gets over a hundred thousand hits -- that's 100,000 hits PER VIDEO -- making it one of the most watched shows on YouTube.

Intercutting interviews (conducted in what I'm guessing is Lil Scrappy's actual living room) with video diary segments, this is a surprisingly well-produced and insightful series. Here, in episode 7, we find out exactly how rapper Skittles got his name (abridged version: because they come in different colors, just like his hos), before discussing Scrappy's relationship with his mother.

It's cool stuff. Just be prepared for a whole lot of n-words. They be flying about, yo.

]]> 2007-03-21T20:42:39-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:18-05:00 Liz Miller web series youtube rap Bikini News http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/03/15/bikini-news I recently came across LiveVideo’s Bikini News via Blip.tv and I think the show's fantastic. You might think that any show starring two pretty and skinny Cali-girls in bikinis is a cock-tease. I, however, think that it is a fantastic marketing ploy. I will admit, the first time I watched BN, I had one of those naked on-stage nightmares. But it was me, in a bikini, and on this show. No one wants to see that. But I highly recommend that y'all give Bikini News a chance. The hosts aren’t bad to look at and seem fairly knowledgeable of the topics that they are discussing. The titles and graphics are very well done. And the content is entertaining and informative. In this episode, the Bikini babes interview Ask A Ninja ’s Kent Nichols. Interesting stuff! I recently came across LiveVideo’s Bikini News via Blip.tv and I think the show's fantastic. You might think that any show starring two pretty and skinny Cali-girls in bikinis is a cock-tease. I, however, think that it is a fantastic marketing ploy.

I will admit, the first time I watched BN, I had one of those naked on-stage nightmares. But it was me, in a bikini, and on this show. No one wants to see that. But I highly recommend that y'all give Bikini News a chance. The hosts aren’t bad to look at and seem fairly knowledgeable of the topics that they are discussing. The titles and graphics are very well done. And the content is entertaining and informative.

In this episode, the Bikini babes interview Ask A Ninja’s Kent Nichols. Interesting stuff!

]]> 2007-03-15T17:28:03-05:00 2007-06-06T17:49:17-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Hammer & Coop http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/03/09/hammer-coop Part "Knight Rider", part "Starsky & Hutch", MINI recently launched a series of webisodes that bring slick 70’s style to the vlogger generation. Starring a “man with no past” who rocks retro-dig and a mean mustache, Hammer and Coop is the classic man and his car cheesy action-thriller. Of course, where there are fast moves, skidding tires, and talking cars there is bound to be at least one babe in a bikini. Maybe some ninjas? I’m not quite sure where they come from, but if you can cover a period script and bad acting with some ninjas and a tricked-out Coop, I’m down. Hammer and Coop is the classic man and his car cheesy action-thriller.

Of course, where there are fast moves, skidding tires, and talking cars there is bound to be at least one babe in a bikini. Maybe some ninjas? I’m not quite sure where they come from, but if you can cover a period script and bad acting with some ninjas and a tricked-out Coop, I’m down.


]]> 2007-03-09T18:31:16-06:00 2007-06-06T17:49:15-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Unleashed - Natural Enemies http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/03/05/unleashed-natural-enemies It’s a dog-eat-dog world for Hollywood pet actors! What would "Lassie" have been without that clever collie. Can you imagine "Friends" without the ducks and the monkey? People just love to see animals perform on screen - especially when they're doing things that your common house pet could only dream of doing. Created by Ben Zelevansky, Unleashed is a weekly, animated comedy series that spotlights Hollywood’s best and brightest pets. Complete with behinds-the-scenes Hollywood commentary, this series is as mundane as it is scathing- a perfect of caricature of life in the biz. It’s a dog-eat-dog world for Hollywood pet actors! What would "Lassie" have been without that clever collie. Can you imagine "Friends" without the ducks and the monkey? People just love to see animals perform on screen - especially when they're doing things that your common house pet could only dream of doing.

Created by Ben Zelevansky, Unleashed is a weekly, animated comedy series that spotlights Hollywood’s best and brightest pets. Complete with behinds-the-scenes Hollywood commentary, this series is as mundane as it is scathing- a perfect of caricature of life in the biz.

]]> 2007-03-05T16:07:08-06:00 2007-06-06T17:49:18-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Smosh - Axe Murderer http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/02/28/smosh These videos from the delightful boys at Smosh , sponsored by LiveVideo , are well-produced and perfectly paced. With each video appearing different from the last, the only thing binding this series together is the acting and perverse humor of creators Anthony Padilla & Ian Hecox. Smosh Short 2: Stranded especially warms our heart, because cannibal jokes are always funny. But my personal favorite is definitely Axe Murderer , with its sharp jokes and great use of music. Demonstrating a mastery of many genres, from absurd comedy to absurd horror to absurd drama, these guys are turning out original and creative works like mad, and are definitely dudes to watch. These videos from the delightful boys at Smosh, sponsored by LiveVideo, are well-produced and perfectly paced. With each video appearing different from the last, the only thing binding this series together is the acting and perverse humor of creators Anthony Padilla & Ian Hecox.

Smosh Short 2: Stranded especially warms our heart, because cannibal jokes are always funny. But my personal favorite is definitely Axe Murderer, with its sharp jokes and great use of music. Demonstrating a mastery of many genres, from absurd comedy to absurd horror to absurd drama, these guys are turning out original and creative works like mad, and are definitely dudes to watch.

]]> 2007-02-28T19:55:19-06:00 2007-06-06T17:49:17-05:00 Liz Miller web series Nontourage- Almost There http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/02/22/nontourage Ever wonder what it would be like pack up your bags and pursue your dreams of Hollywood stardom? Well, Almost There is a fun, inspiring web series about life in Los Angeles. Featuring two “somebody” waiting to be discovered in the vast sea of talent, the Nontourage series "Almost There" follows two friends, one a screenwriter and the other an actress, hoping for their big break. Sort of like Sex in the City minus all the glitz and glam, the show was written, created, and stars a group of gal pals actually pursuing careers in Hollywood. Originally released in longer episodes, Almost There is making a second run with weekly snack-size clips. Just enough to fill you up and keep you coming for more, the series created by Sarah Atwood and Julie Daman is just as fun as it was the first time around. Ever wonder what it would be like pack up your bags and pursue your dreams of Hollywood stardom? Well, Almost There is a fun, inspiring web series about life in Los Angeles. Featuring two “somebody” waiting to be discovered in the vast sea of talent, the Nontourage series "Almost There" follows two friends, one a screenwriter and the other an actress, hoping for their big break.

Sort of like Sex in the City minus all the glitz and glam, the show was written, created, and stars a group of gal pals actually pursuing careers in Hollywood. Originally released in longer episodes, Almost There is making a second run with weekly snack-size clips. Just enough to fill you up and keep you coming for more, the series created by Sarah Atwood and Julie Daman is just as fun as it was the first time around.

]]> 2007-02-22T16:47:02-06:00 2007-06-06T17:49:16-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Satacracy http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/02/12/satacracy What better way to involve people in a show than letting them build it themselves? Allowing viewers to “choose their own adventure," Satacracy takes the user experience to a whole new level of interactivity. Well-conceived and mindlessly entertaining, this sci-fi series brings X-Files into the 21st century. Currently on its sixth episode, Satacracy adds a supernatural edge to a video space lacking some serious deep-space techie drama. With a new episode premiering every month or so, my only wish is that the web show was published more often. Don't the folks at itsallinyourhands.com know that choosing your own adventure can be addicting? They need to dip into the reserve stash and keep up with our need for a high-quality sci-fi fix. What better way to involve people in a show than letting them build it themselves? Allowing viewers to “choose their own adventure," Satacracy takes the user experience to a whole new level of interactivity. Well-conceived and mindlessly entertaining, this sci-fi series brings X-Files into the 21st century.

Currently on its sixth episode, Satacracy adds a supernatural edge to a video space lacking some serious deep-space techie drama. With a new episode premiering every month or so, my only wish is that the web show was published more often. Don't the folks at itsallinyourhands.com know that choosing your own adventure can be addicting? They need to dip into the reserve stash and keep up with our need for a high-quality sci-fi fix.

]]> 2007-02-12T19:30:48-06:00 2007-06-06T17:49:17-05:00 Felicia Williams web series Professor Brothers http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/01/31/professor-brothers Austin, TX comic artist Brad Neely is the funniest man on the internet right now. Beginning with his now notorious comic strip/music video Washington -- which was number one on my yearly top ten -- and now following through on that promise with his work at Turner's recently launched SuperDeluxe , Neely's art has become a singular presence of early 2007 in the offices of The Daily Reel. His new series, Professor Brothers, is a sometimes-musical lecture series featuring two bald-but-still-in-the-game professors who tackle some of history's most fascinating subjects. Once Neely turns a subject like Washington out, it'll never walk right again. Check out his revisionist interpretations of the tale of Sodom and Gomorrah and President JFK . Online comedians could stand to learn a few things from Professor Neely. Austin, TX comic artist Brad Neely is the funniest man on the internet right now. Beginning with his now notorious comic strip/music video Washington -- which was number one on my yearly top ten -- and now following through on that promise with his work at Turner's recently launched SuperDeluxe, Neely's art has become a singular presence of early 2007 in the offices of The Daily Reel.

His new series, Professor Brothers, is a sometimes-musical lecture series featuring two bald-but-still-in-the-game professors who tackle some of history's most fascinating subjects. Once Neely turns a subject like Washington out, it'll never walk right again. Check out his revisionist interpretations of the tale of Sodom and Gomorrah and President JFK. Online comedians could stand to learn a few things from Professor Neely.

]]> 2007-01-31T15:14:46-06:00 2007-03-22T12:57:46-05:00 Spencer Somers neely Everybody for a Hair http://www.thedailyreel.com/spotlight/web-series/archive/2007/01/29/everybody-for-a-hair Juan Manuel Fraga stars in this six-part viral ad series, Todos Por un Pelo (Everybody for a Hair). In an attempt to drive sales for Argentinean telecom company Arnet while simultaneously restoring his balding head to its once full-mained glory, Fraga makes a deal with the company. For every customer who signs up for broadband in the month of November, he'll receive a single strand of hair. Produced by Wasabi Films, these spots demonstrate how every individual really can make a difference. Hair by hair, we can get there together! Juan Manuel Fraga stars in this six-part viral ad series, Todos Por un Pelo (Everybody for a Hair). In an attempt to drive sales for Argentinean telecom company Arnet while simultaneously restoring his balding head to its once full-mained glory, Fraga makes a deal with the company. For every customer who signs up for broadband in the month of November, he'll receive a single strand of hair.

Produced by Wasabi Films, these spots demonstrate how every individual really can make a difference. Hair by hair, we can get there together!

]]> 2007-01-29T14:26:47-06:00 2007-06-06T17:49:19-05:00 Adrianna Weingold argentina web series