Before American Idol came along, people relied on cable access television for their fix of second hand embarassment. With the only barrier for entry being an inexplicable belief that you deserved to be on TV, the no-budget broadcasting platforms drew a flood of some of the most bat-shit insane characters ever seen outside the gates of an asylum. Here are seven of the most terrifying, surreal and all together hilarious moments ever broadcast on cable access TV.
7
Sondra Prill - Nasty Boys
The Story: Take a minute to decide whether you feel like laughing or crying, then hit play. Back in the mid-80s, Sondra Prill thought she was going to be the biggest thing to ever come out of Tampa, Florida. It might have actually happened if it hadn't been for one minor detail: she didn't have a lick of talent. None. When you watch clips from her short-lived show (which was creatively titled "My Show"), it's hard to tell if she's actually serious. Watch a handful of her other videos on YouTube and you might start to think that it was all an elaborate joke, that Sondra Prill was just some bizarre performance art piece or something. Take this as either proof that she was for real, or proof that she took the joke way too far: In 1992, Sondra rented out a 900-seat Tampa amphitheater to put on something called "A Musical Fantasy" as a Hurricane Andrew fundraiser. She charged up to $50 a ticket-the same theater hosted acts like Al Green and Patti LaBelle around that time for a maximum ticket price of $25. Amazingly, she managed to sell 41 tickets to the show. Which might mean that she did end up being the biggest act to ever come out of Tampa, Florida.
Why It Rules: While the borrowed fur (and the borrowed footage from another music video) help bring this clip to the brink of awesomeness, it's Sondra's complete dearth of talent that really gives it that extra push. Each awkward pelvic thrust, each attempt at a sexy come-hither look (which all come out looking more like demonic possession) put yet another nail into the no-talent coffin. Every time she screams "NASTY!" try to remember that she actually thought she was going to be a star. Every time she bugs her eyes out all crazy, try to remember that she probably thought it looked sexy. Remember this all, then listen to her lovely singing voice and die a little inside. As an added bonus, the dancer at 1:33 looks a lot like Val Kilmer in Real Genius, so it's got that going for it, too.
#3 ROFLMFAO, I'm lucky I seen that sober because if I was on dope I would have died laughing....dope helps dull the hilarious reality of the situation..........O.K I'm actually on dope.
Anyone notice that "Spirit of Truth" man (#3) was holding a phone book? "You comin' from Satan, and I got a phone book, beyotch!" I wonder what his day job was?
Seriously, how much alcohol did they give that poor kid before he was able to get up in front of those cameras(#1)? And the preacher was hysterical, now he has a good supplier...he could barely open his eyes...church would've been far more interesting as a kid for me if he had been my preacher, I might still be christian...oh, wait, no I wouldn't but it still would've been fun.
Pity so few of those videos worked. The Goth one just sounds a bit sad and like a cry for help more than anything. But the preacher guy...... (that vid worked) his laugh is going to haunt my nightmares.
i agree, i know this article is 5 years old, it's just that articles that rely heavily on videos to be funny should be erased when most of the videos stop working or are erased in you tube. instead it just becomes a random mash of words.
Oh my god, thank you! When I first watched it, I just felt really bad for him to the point of uncomfortable...but now that I know that he's just a rather successful troll, I can laugh at the video. XD
The Spirit of Truth.
This video has everything...to the point where I could not stop laughing.
Fuck, that dude is crazy.
But a more entertaining "preacher" is hard to find.
Speak out with Kevin Sander is hilarious.
I don't think the guy is a douchebag,If we shot a few criminals in the face they might reconsider robbing old ladies because boom she just blew your face off.
But I love this guy's complete composure during the whole thing.
Of course New yorker's are a bit insane so a few random people might get taken out but who cares they are just New Yorkers anyway.
Listen up! Somebody knows what this is called and where to find it, it was an incredibly funny show on Public Access (Although I don't know if it actually made it onto the channel, I watched it online) about a group of people making 'A public access show about making a public access show.'
I don't remember much but there was one episode where one of the characters took drugs claiming he thought 'Everybody was doing it today' if that helps.
Got any vaguely helpful info? Then message me ASAP, I've been looking for this show for ages.
Is it wrong that I'd rather watch #2 than reality TV? That guy was f*****g hilarious. Poor bastard was doing the best with what he was given...when life gives you crap, make a crap sammich!
Im sorry but The Spirit Of Truth is seriously the most insane public access thing I have ever seen.. Haha its this Prison insane Snoop Dog mentality that is just amazing to watch .. lol Complete with FUNK in the back ground.. its perfect lol.
"Merrill is a television and internet sensation, worshipped by literally tens of people around the world."
I'm laughing so hard at this point I'm peeing. Oh god I'm peeing.
I actually had to run to the bathroom or i was gunna s**t my pants lmao. When he statted going AAAHHHHUGUGUUUHUJHU lmao! BahahahHHH i shall see you in hell my friends.
It is, when he's cutting bananas, it flashes to his face and you can see/hear him say "Jesus Christ I hate this" with a slight smirk. He's a rather good troll though...until that was pointed out to me, I felt too uncomfortable watching the video to even laugh...XD
Aah, I love The Spirit Of Truth! X3
ReplyThat guy is sooooo funny!
#3 ROFLMFAO, I'm lucky I seen that sober because if I was on dope I would have died laughing....dope helps dull the hilarious reality of the situation..........O.K I'm actually on dope.
ReplyAnyone notice that "Spirit of Truth" man (#3) was holding a phone book? "You comin' from Satan, and I got a phone book, beyotch!" I wonder what his day job was?
ReplySeriously, how much alcohol did they give that poor kid before he was able to get up in front of those cameras(#1)? And the preacher was hysterical, now he has a good supplier...he could barely open his eyes...church would've been far more interesting as a kid for me if he had been my preacher, I might still be christian...oh, wait, no I wouldn't but it still would've been fun.
ReplyMerrill Howard Kalin wasn't drunk...I think he was just depressingly mentally handicapped.
My favorite part is hearing about the poor boy scouts that were terrified by that crazy man XD
Reply
ReplyPity so few of those videos worked. The Goth one just sounds a bit sad and like a cry for help more than anything. But the preacher guy...... (that vid worked) his laugh is going to haunt my nightmares.
i agree, i know this article is 5 years old, it's just that articles that rely heavily on videos to be funny should be erased when most of the videos stop working or are erased in you tube. instead it just becomes a random mash of words.
If you search for them on youtube, you can find most of them!!! I was able to find all of them.
Unfortunately the Merrill Howard Kalin show is staged. If you listen closely while he's cutting bananas he says "Jesus Christ I hate this"
ReplyOh my god, thank you! When I first watched it, I just felt really bad for him to the point of uncomfortable...but now that I know that he's just a rather successful troll, I can laugh at the video. XD
The Spirit of Truth.
ReplyThis video has everything...to the point where I could not stop laughing.
Fuck, that dude is crazy.
But a more entertaining "preacher" is hard to find.
Maybe you're looking in the wrong place... have you searched the entirety of Hevin an' Urf?
speak out with ken sander had me litterly dying of laughter i nearly had a f*****g heart attack
ReplySpeak out with Kevin Sander is hilarious.
ReplyI don't think the guy is a douchebag,If we shot a few criminals in the face they might reconsider robbing old ladies because boom she just blew your face off.
But I love this guy's complete composure during the whole thing.
Of course New yorker's are a bit insane so a few random people might get taken out but who cares they are just New Yorkers anyway.
Listen up! Somebody knows what this is called and where to find it, it was an incredibly funny show on Public Access (Although I don't know if it actually made it onto the channel, I watched it online) about a group of people making 'A public access show about making a public access show.'
ReplyI don't remember much but there was one episode where one of the characters took drugs claiming he thought 'Everybody was doing it today' if that helps.
Got any vaguely helpful info? Then message me ASAP, I've been looking for this show for ages.
Just found out, it's called the Unemployables, holy shit, is it awesome.
Is it wrong that I'd rather watch #2 than reality TV? That guy was f*****g hilarious. Poor bastard was doing the best with what he was given...when life gives you crap, make a crap sammich!
ReplyThe black preacher was reading the gospel of the PHONE BOOK.
ReplyYou do not know the Gospel of the Yellow Book?
It's called Numbers.
A lot of people, after realizing how embarrassing their videos were, pulled them off youtube. I wonder how many saw the article?
Replyi was listening to hocus pocus by focus while reading this. somehow seems appropriate.
ReplyAWESOME AWESOME AWESOME song.
Im sorry but The Spirit Of Truth is seriously the most insane public access thing I have ever seen.. Haha its this Prison insane Snoop Dog mentality that is just amazing to watch .. lol Complete with FUNK in the back ground.. its perfect lol.
Reply"Merrill is a television and internet sensation, worshipped by literally tens of people around the world."
ReplyI'm laughing so hard at this point I'm peeing. Oh god I'm peeing.
I actually had to run to the bathroom or i was gunna s**t my pants lmao. When he statted going AAAHHHHUGUGUUUHUJHU lmao! BahahahHHH i shall see you in hell my friends.
OMG #1 has to be fake
ReplyIt is, when he's cutting bananas, it flashes to his face and you can see/hear him say "Jesus Christ I hate this" with a slight smirk. He's a rather good troll though...until that was pointed out to me, I felt too uncomfortable watching the video to even laugh...XD
Like 5 of the 7 are removed from YouTube... but I hunted down number 1 because it sounded so awesome. It was worth it.
Replythey are all worth it
Thanks, Rose. Sure this was great but one look at that formatting and suddenly my eyes are filled with this red, sticky liquid.
Reply