Webseries

I decided to start things off with "Riese" because it's a sci fi adventure starring a loner (guess what her name is) and her only true ally, a wolf she calls Fenrir. Riese tries to piece together her past and future while running from two different but connected sets of enemies who have labeled her a heretic because of her potential to destroy their growing dark empire. The show combines action with steampunk, an interesting story, a strong woman, and a wolf, dude. A wolf. Besides, one of the story's antagonists is in a cogs-leather-and-wheels uniform, complete with something on his head that looks like it came from the Serenity engine room. You know how some people think of Independence Day as a popcorn movie? I think that of "Riese". Except...that "Riese" isn't stupid.

It was created by Ryan Copple and Kaleena Kiff. It has its own website, but I've found it much easier to find episodes of the show's first (and so far, only) season on YouTube.

The main character, Cyd Sherman, is a pretty redhead with an online gaming addiction---the roleplaying, World of Warcraft-esque kind of gaming---and once a member of her online guild appears on her doorstep ("doorstep'd") with his laptop, a big smile, and a ready confession to having hunted down her address and the layout of her home ("floorplan'd"), Cyd decides that all the members of her guild should meet. The show is well-written and funny. It's clear that a lot went into it, which is further proven by the music videos the cast made, complete with original songs "Game On" and "Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?".

None of the online guild members have even seen each other before, and of course, Cyd wants to make this meeting at a local restuarant into an opportunity to leave her [amusingly] unsettling admirer with someone else. In an effort to maintain some level of anonymity,, each member goes by their user name. Cyd is Kodex, being salivated over by Zaboo, and equally well-thought-out characters follow, like the blunt, attitude-wielding Tinkerballa, who fills the role of being distant and arrogant, and Vork, the oldest member, and a man whose life is as pathetic as that of Kevin Smith in Live Hard or Die Trying, except for how well he handles both Zaboo and Blaze, the filterless teenager you can always count on for a sex joke. Clara is a neglectful wife and mother of three whose life completely revolves around the game. She could possibly be my favorite, since she's the one who turns to her toddler daughters briefly, saying, "...Tomorrow, Mommy's teaching you to use a microwave".

All of these characters interact so easily that the humor is inevitable and seems so effortless, being as distinct as they each are. The adventures went on for three seasons, one of which isn't available on YouTube. As you have probably figured out by now, the show ended a while ago, but nothing could take away from the fun of the characters' interactions and crazy decisions.

The aforementioned words started out as a joke between Tim LaFollette (musician in Kudzu Wish and Decoration Ghost, editor-in-chief of Keen Innovations) and Kaylan Szafranski, his wife. LaFollette has ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. I'm amused by the memory of going online to once again watch "Jane Austen's Fight Club" and instead find this.

The award-winning web show "Often Awesome" is great because with a diagnosis at age 30, eventually being confined to his motorized wheelchair, and carrying the knowledge that things will slowly continue down the bumpy path, the star is a laid-back, good guy who loves to play bass, even if it means falling from his chair, beer in hand, simply saying, "Well, at least I didn't spill", and never once planning to be the focus of inspiration.

Close friends of his talk about their decision to improve his quality of life by becoming the Often Awesome Army, raising money for the wheelchair, a van made accessible for it, a ramp at his home, and countless other things thanks to art auctions, concerts (namely a Kudzu Wish reunion that was wildly successful), and anything else that would both benefit the people of Greensboro, North Carolina and the happy couple. Clearly, the Army finds its projects to be a healthy way of coping and helping a dear friend.

On top of all that, LaFollette has a good sense of humor, which, in my opinion, is one of the most powerful things a person can have in his situation.

From the same talented guy who brought us "Shoes" and "Borrow That Top" is a handful of videos starring Bob Tulap, a fictional radio personality who angrily swears and says inappropriate things between takes of voice-overs for commercials, insulting and cussing out his producer, Doug. He must be the orange-haired Richard Belzer of that studio.

Poor Tulap just wants a session to go smoothly, and for time to turn back to classier, simpler days of radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2O9QJBRWPM&feature=BFa&list=SP33D88AB5EBA19010&lf=list_related

Maybe he and Pete from 30 Rock would make compatible neighbors. Tulap shares his opinions on drinking, the Japanese, making sure the 'record' button is on before he reads off the script, and of course, Doug. For instance:

Doug: "People don't know all the great uses for limes."

Tulap: "People don't know what ya use limes for?...Limes: They're f***in' great. Ya put 'em in your drinks, you dumb s**t."

Good family fun, right?

Typical of LiamKyleSullivan, the skits are amusing. I like having them on as background while I work, because hell. I think they prepare me for pretty much anything.

A man in a leotard and cat ears is high in a tree, considering jumping down for his buddy's sandwich. The incredibly awkward brother of a resauranteur ruins takes of his brother's commercial with his standing off to the side or putting chicken parmesian down his pants. There's odd time travel and two guys fight over who is really Mike's best friend ("I've got his pubes!", "I've got his adoption papers!").

This show deserves a chance. It stars Steve, Brandon and Mike of Junior Varsity TV.

A man in a robe, an eye patch and women's slippers hits on one of his new neighbors, who is moving into the house across from his with her boyfriend. Another man stays holed up in his house with listening devices, taking notes. The aforementioned new neighbor goes for a run and is hit by a stranger's car and killed. A teenage goth girl down the street not only witnesses the tragic incident, but decides to bring the dead woman back to life and argue with her little brother about whether or not it's the right choice.

This thing is weird, but I figure it has potential to be funny...and potential is the first step, isn't it?

A very estranged family meets in the same house for the first time in years, all with the intention of inheriting the dead grandfather's wealth. The mom and dad are divorced and he's written books about relationships, while she gives up on him when she starts spending time with a man claiming to be an adventurer. Their son wants to be an actor, and does get a gig eventually, as a penguin---full costume---on a children's morning show. He also sleeps with his grandfather's lady friend, and only discovers the connection the next day. Don't you just hate when that happens?

Oh, and the daughter is eventually kidnapped and no one else notices. While away, she falls in love with an invisible man.

A ninja is sent by the father's ex-girlfriend to kill the family off, so that the ex might get her hands on the fortune, but of course the ninja turns out to be a geeky, easily distracted, very picky eater ("An evil, red ninja does not eat a casserole!").

Ridiculous, fun, interesting, funny. It's got everything.