danajohnhill.org » Comedy

We’ve Got Stories For Years

Dana John Hill — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 21:32:33 +0000

I’ve watched The Simpsons since the very first episode, decades ago. Like many fans of the show, I would say the series reached its zenith some time around 1993-1995. I thought the program was becoming stale as early as the late 1990s, and since then I have found myself thinking it would not be too bad a thing if the series came to an end, if only to preserve its reputation.

But it never fails that at least once a season the writers of The Simpsons give us something inspired – something that lives up to the high standards the show set in its better seasons. Last night’s episode, “Replacable You”, was outstanding, and a splendid reminder of how the show used to make me laugh until my guts hurt.

Reason to Love YouTube No. 12

Dana John Hill — Wed, 11 May 2011 00:47:01 +0000

I am always at least a year behind on the latest internet sensations, so it might not be surprising, then, that I was only just made aware of this video, thanks to my brother-in-law, Maynard. It’s perfect.

UPDATE: Aah! I love this so much for so many reasons. First, I love that the video is called “Zombie Kid Likes Turtles”. That’s a perfect summary. Next, I love that this kid seemed destined to answer that way no matter what the question. The reporter could have asked him what he did on his summer vacation, and I suspect he would have answered “I like turtles”. Finally, I love how the reporter seems taken aback by the answer, as though she isn’t sure if she heard him right, or if he is, perhaps, not all there.

This video, which nobody would ever have seen in the days before the internet, is exactly why I love YouTube.

He’s Snatchin’ Your People Up

Dana — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:48:49 +0000

I normally do not care one bit about “the latest internet sensation”, or which videos have “gone viral”. But Miriam knows what I like, and yesterday she showed me a video that has me amazed and is totally worth watching, whatever limited free time you may have.

Actually, it’s two videos. The first is simply a local news report about an attempted rape in the projects. That’s not very funny in and of itself. But the victim’s brother has a lot to say, and his expressiveness and odd word choice is mildly entertaining. Still, this isn’t what is so great, but you must watch this video first in order to appreciate the second one.

In the second video, someone has seen the entertainment value in this gentleman’s manner of speaking, and, using computer magic, turned it into a great R&B song. I don’t know how they did it, but it is amazing. (The good stuff ends at 1:15.)

Tonight Is Ladies’ Night

Dana — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 02:15:42 +0000

Or not.

Stay Tuned for Conan

Dana — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:40:20 +0000

The summer before I began sixth grade, I started staying up late. I would watch The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, followed by Late Night with David Letterman. I preferred Late Night. It was quirky, while The Tonight Show was, in my child mind, too middle-of-the-road. But I remember watching Johnny Carson’s last episode, and David Letterman’s first episode of The Late Show on CBS. I never got into Jay Leno’s Tonight Show.

Shortly after high school, I began avidly watching Late Night with Conan O’Brien. It was the wackiest show around, and it perfectly reflected the sense of humor my friends shared. I spent years staying up until 1:30 in the morning watching that show. In one episode, Conan talked about (fictional) guests he wouldn’t have back. One was named “Johnny Airhorn”, and he had a helmet with two airhorns mounted on either side. Whenever Conan would try to ask him a question or say anything, Johnny Airhorn would blast his horns in deafening fashion. Unfortunately, these old clips are impossible to find.

Miraculously, one of my favorites is on YouTube. I’ve posted it before, but it’s a perfect example of what Conan does so well. The premise alone is insane, and the execution is perfect.

Tonight is the premiere of The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. Andy Richter is back, Max will be there, and my hopes are high.

Hard Times in Springsteenville

Dana — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 23:31:41 +0000

Why I love The Onion.

As If I Needed Another Reason to Love Tina Fey…

Dana — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:08:49 +0000

Last night was the season premiere of SNL–which Sara and I watched while Miriam slept on the couch–and though the rest of the show was rock bottom unfunny, the opening was an instant classic that will be talked about for years to come.

UPDATE: Yes, this video will probably not work when you go to play it. That’s copyright for you.

Norris Approved!

Dana — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:23:57 +0000

This morning, during a five minute break in one of my classes, the girl who was sitting next to me turned and asked, “Do you like Chuck Norris jokes?”

“What?”

“You know Chuck Norris? Do you like jokes about him?”

“I guess. I know the one about his tears curing cancer, and another I can’t really remember, something about ‘another fist’.”

“Behind his chin is another fist.”

“That’s the one.”

“I love Chuck Norris. I got this new folder with Chuck Norris on it.”

Sure enough, she had a folder with Chuck Norris and a horse, and the words “Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water…and make him drink.”

Classic!

Dana — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:34:50 +0000

My local Fox affiliate shows an hour of The Simpsons each night at seven o’clock, and tonight were two astoundingly great episodes: the legendary “Brother from the Same Planet” and a forgotten gem, “The President Wore Pearls”.

“Brother from the Same Planet” was the 14th episode from Season 4 (1992-1993) – surely The Simpsons‘ golden age. Among countless hilarious lines, I particularly like when Homer and Pepi (“I love you, too, Pepsi”) are star-gazing and Pepi asks Homer to name some of the constellations. “…And that Big Dipper looking thing is Alex…the Cowboy”.

“The President Wore Pearls” is an against-the-odds masterpiece from the otherwise lackluster Season 15 (2003-2004). Watching it tonight I was inclined to believe it was from Season 5, so strong is the writing. In fact, I’ll go out on a limb and say it’s in my Simpsons Top 10. It even has several songs, which I contend are the zenith of entertainment.

On a similar topic, a few nights ago, they replayed another top drawer episode, “Homer’s Barbershop Quartet”, and it made me feel very old. Towards the beginning, when Homer is explaining to the kids why they had never heard of his fame, he explains that it was eight years before, in 1985. Now 1985 is 23 years ago!

Walk Hard: Update

Dana — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:41:25 +0000

Mrs. Hill went to the theater Friday night and saw Walk Hard on opening night. A synopsis isn’t necessary, but the highlights for me were definitely the songs, especially “Life Without You”, “Dewey Cox Died”, the Marshall Crenshaw-composed “Walk Hard” and the cleverly suggestive “Let’s Duet”. Kudos to John C. Reilly for being a genuinely great singer with a ringing high F#. And Tim Meadows has some of the funniest material.

Also note: everybody in the world was in this movie, including people you have seen before in lots other things, but whose names you don’t know; and tons of other people with big names who have small parts. Now, I am sure you’re wondering, “but, Dana, does it have Jackson Browne?” Hell yes, it does. It even has butterscotch blonde Fender Telecasters. So, something for everybody, specifically me.