November 6 - Funny Or Die, Louis CK, TV Funhouse

Bit shorter one tonight...short on time as always.

How I got started: Again, a Seinfeld link here.  I was watching an interview with Jerry Seinfeld on PBS where he was asked by Charlie Rose if he had considered doing anything via the internet.  Jerry proceeded to talk about how the internet was better than TV in some respects because there were very few limitations, but that he didn't think he would be doing something soon.  When asked if there was anything he liked out there, he mentioned that he liked Will Ferrell's "Funny Or Die" website.  Having never been (how the hell have I not heard of this), I took a quick browse.

Funny Or Die: Funny or Die is a website founded by Gary Sanchez Productions, a company belonging to Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.  Intended to rival YouTube, it supports many established and upcoming comedians, who may submit their own videos.  Users may vote on each video, choosing whether they are funny and consequently stay, or are not funny and die.  There are a large number of well-known celebs that have videos there, including Lil Jon, Jimmy Fallon, James Franco, Jeremy Piven, Judd Apatow, Michael Cera, and Louis CK to name a few.

Louis CK: Louis CK is a stand up comedian, writer, actor, producer, and director.  His actual last name is Szekely but is shortened to CK as it is easier to pronounce.  His writing credits include Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock Show, Pootie Tang, and Down to Earth.  Louis CK also had a short lived sitcom on HBO called "Lucky Louie" that was unfortunately cancelled after its first season.  Louis CK has also starred in an hour long HBO special titled "Shameless" where his standup largely covers the frustration borne from raising a daughter and having a wife who won't blow him enough.  His work with Robert Smigel on SNL's TV Funhouse has been ongoing.

TV Funhouse: TV Funhouse is a cartoon skit that runs during Saturday Night Live that frequently satirizes public figures, corporations, and the government.  A February 10, 2001 episode parodied NFL linebacker Ray Lewis' involvement in an Atlanta homicide.  Lewis was not permitted to say the famous line "I'm going to Disney World" and the skit suggested that Disney was making it up to him by placing him in various Disney movies, usually involving Lewis running away from the scene of a dead Disney character.