Urlesque

Jurassic Park - The Musical

Lindsey Weber — 2010-09-24T10:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos, Music, Movies, Remixes

"Millions of years ago dinosaurs walked the Earth...and about 16 years ago Steven Spielberg made a movie based on them." So says Aaron Holmes, writer/lyricist/director of Jurassic Park: The Musical in a short documentary about the making of the musical. Yes, there's a short documentary about the making of Jurassic Park: The Musical.

The full musical, performed someone's backyard in Lincoln, Nebraska to a crowd of 250, appeared on Reddit this week but has not reached its full viral potential. Come on, you guys! This is a Jurassic Park musical featuring such songs as "Raptors in the Kitchen" and such classic characters as Wayne Knight's Dennis Nedry (you know, the computer hacker that ends up blinded by a dino's poisonous saliva and eaten alive?) It's about time someone took Spielberg's best work (if you're planning to fight me on that claim, go ahead and make a Jaws musical then get back to me) and put it to music.

Get it together and watch all three parts below. Then watch the making-of documentary because you're so in love with this project. Then help me get these kids to Broadway. Do it for the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Part I

Part II

Part III

The "Making Of" Documentary

link:// Jurassic Park The Musical
link:// JP The Musical on Facebook
previously:// The Harry Potter Musical! There's No Business Like Wiz Business
previously:// Total Recall: The Musical Brings a Singing Arnold to YouTube

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

How Reddit Controls the Internet (News Cycle) [Geekosystem]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-24T15:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Tech, Science

This quick post was probably on Reddit (our coverage here) yesterday. Why? Because most everything on the web these days was and that's why the site controls the internet news cycle. Robert Quigley and the brilliant minds over at Geekosystem have put together a comprehensive overview of why Reddit essentially supplies the rest of the web (occasionally us included!) with all the things we so dearly love. Head on over to Geekosystem to learn about the adorable alien's powerful community and if it's all just a little tl;dr for you, Geeko's supplied the rundown Reddit-style:

1. Reddit finds good stuff.
2. The online media, broadly defined, jacks a lot of that stuff and the bad ones don't give Reddit any credit either because they think it will enhance their stature or because they're just sloppy/lazy.
3. A lot of other cool or important stuff never sees the light of day as a result.

link:// How Reddit Controls the Internet News Cycle

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

'The Social Network' Facebook Movie Poster Meme

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-22T12:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Humor, Tech, Photos, Art / Design, Movies

Columbia Pictures

The minute we saw the poster for the new "Facebook film," now officially called The Social Network, we thought: memebait. Urlbot Nick put it perfectly when he described the poster as, "Beautiful...a ready-made Tumblr meme." While we love the Tumblr-flavored Photoshops created by Community Editor Topherchris and the forthcoming BuzzFeed biopic, this "meme" has broader appeal. Broader FACEBOOK appeal. Here's how we propose you participate:

Take your latest Facebook profile picture (or the latest picture you were tagged in.)
Take your latest Facebook Status Message.
Click this link to open up our transparency in Aviary. (or if you just want the transparency, click here)
???
PROFIT

Send us your awesome 'shops or drop a link in the comments below. Check out the Urlbots' contributions below (as well as one made especially for Urlesque -- we just had to.)

Created by Urlbot Eliot

Created by Urlbot Kelly

Created by Urlbot Lindsey

Created by Urlbot Stephen

Created by Urlbot Nick

Urlesque: THE MOVIE

Created by Urlbot Kelly

[UPDATE] We got some awesome submissions from our readers!

Zack Brewer

Brad O'Farrell

HotFilipina

BrainFood

Yuna Park

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

How Do You Laugh Online (A Video and an Update!)

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-18T09:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Humor, Videos, In Real Life, Exclusives

I may "LOL," while you happen to "haha" and your mom has taken on the "ROFL." We all laugh to ourselves while browsing the web, but it's all about how we show others our amusement. Last week, we asked you all to share with us how you laugh online and our poll results were overwhelmingly "LOL." After "LOL," you said you also "haha," "hehe" and, with 1.3% of the vote, "bwahahahaha."

We also took the show on the road and asked a few new friends at Internet Week NYC how they laughed. Check out the video below to see what we found. (Can you spot some familiar faces?)

And the results from our online poll:

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

No, Obama Was Not in Tag Team's 'Whoomp! (There It Is)'

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-15T13:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos, News / Politics, Music

Remember that day on the internet when everyone thought that President Barack Obama might've been briefly featured in Tag Team's 1993 video, 'Whoomp! (There It Is)'? Yep, this pesky rumor floated all the way from Gawker to CNN and essentially Rickrolled everyone to re-watch the one hit wonder, searching for the Obama-lookalike at approximately 1:01. Just as you suspected, our current President did not have a previous career hanging out in Tag Team videos and the mysterious doppelganger is in fact someone named LA Sno, of the rap duo Dewce.

Sno first heard about the rumor from a Facebook friend. He thought it was a joke. When a Memphis TV station reached out to a buddy of his to get his contact info, he did a Web search and found out the story was the real deal.

"Any time I can be mentioned in the same conversation with Barack Obama is just off the chain," says Sno, a self-described "big fan" of the president who is basking in the glow of the public attention.

Read more at Asylum.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

'Death To All Juice' Sign-Waver Might Be an Actual Terrorist

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-15T09:30:00+00:00

Filed under: News / Politics

Turns out this unintentionally hilarious political sign was actually created by someone who might be intentionally dangerous to the United States.

Gawker's got the details, but it has been revealed that this image (which previously made the rounds on meme sites) is back.

Why?

Because the holder happens to be Carlos Almonte, "the wannabe New Jersey Jihadist."

There's also a picture of Almonte and his cat. Now we're worried.

Read more at Gawker and Know Your Meme.

related:// 30 Unintentionally Hilarious Political Signs & 37 Intentionally Hilarious Political Signs

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

?uestlove Remixes Viral Videos on Jimmy Fallon

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-14T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Videos, Television

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Staff: Just Like Us![TM] Seriously, they send around hilarious internet videos and that's exactly the way it is at Urlesque HQ. But they also happen to employ (re)mixmaster genius The Roots' ?uestlove, who took some of the staff's favorite videos and put an awesome spin on them. Can we get our own resident ?uestlove?

See the clip at TV Squad.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

"Please Don't Jump" - PostSecret Inspires Facebook Group

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-09T17:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Quick Link

This past Sunday, an anonymous postcard was featured on PostSecret that read:

I have lived in San Francisco since I was young. I am illegal. I am not wanted here. I don't belong anywhere. This summer I plan to jump off the Golden Gate.

After reading the heartbreaking note, the community created a collective Facebook group called "Please Don't Jump," which has now reached over 30,000 members, all with encouraging messages and even information about the DREAM Act -- legislation that makes it possible for illegal students to obtain residency.

link:// PostSecret
via:// Neatorama

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

11 Memes of the Ocean [Listicles]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-09T16:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Science

Apparently it was World Oceans Day yesterday, so Listicles decided to create a listicle that might as well have come from the minds of the Urlbots. That's why we love it so much! From FAILboat to sharks (yep, just SHARKS), enjoy.

link:// 11 Memes of the Ocean

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The 'Return' of 'Star Wars' Kid [Motherboard]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-03T17:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Quick Link

One of the most elusive internet celebrities and (in our opinion) star of the #1 Most Iconic Web Video, Ghyslain Raza, AKA the Star Wars Kid, has been spotted by Motherboard:

But after eight years of laughs at his expense - and a few campaigns in his defense - Ghyslain is back. Now in his early 20s, he's reemerged as the president of the Patrimoine Trois-Rivières, a conservation society that aims to preserve the cultural heritage of his hometown of Trois-Rivières.

Read more at Motherboard.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

'Ice a Bro' With Mike's Hard Lemonade. Please? [The Awl]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-03T16:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Quick Link

The Awl brilliantly imagines a world where other alco-pops (read: Mike's Hard Lemonade) try and get in on the Bros Icing Bros action.

Would you rather be iced by a true Ice or a Mike's Hard? Are bros going to be going around icing their bros with any sickly-sweet alcoholic beverage they can find? These are the questions you need to be thinking about.

Read more at The Awl.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Google's Top 10 Questions Answered [Gawker]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-06-03T15:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Humor, Quick Link

We're not quite convinced that typing "why is" into Google brings up the top ten questions asked to the search engine, but when Gawker typed in "why is" this is what they got. And, unlike everyone else, they actually decided to help out the Googling masses and answered the questions.

So, if you were the curious soul who asked, "Why is my poop green?" it's your lucky day. Head on over to Gawker for all the answers.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Cake Wrecks Get LOST, Go Dharma (And Aren't So Wreck-y!)

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-25T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Food, Television, Quick Link

Now that Lost is officially over, we're not only going to have to find another TV show to worship, but also one to create delicious sweets around. "WAAAAAAALLLLLTT!" you say? Don't worry, Michael, the show might be over but we've still got the memories. Reruns, fanfic and yes: this amazing collection of Lost cakes.

Fans of the show as well as fans of "the cake" will be overwhelmed, impressed and hungry.

Check them out at Cake Wrecks.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Greyson Michael Chance Performs on The Ellen Show (and Talks to Lady Gaga!)

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-13T12:05:00+00:00

Filed under: Music, Television, Internet Songbirds, Internet on TV

It was literally two days ago that a YouTube video of Greyson Michael Chance covering Lady Gaga's 'Paparazzi' made its way around the web -- the 12-year old impressed everyone with some serious talent. This morning Greyson officially hit the big time by appearing on The Ellen Show, and even received a special phone call from "Miss Gaga" herself. We love when talented kids make the jump from the web to the TV and Ellen's producers are seriously on their game right now. (Speaking of, can you see this right now you guys? Need more talented people from the internet? We've got you covered: stay tuned for more!) Greyson's performance had around 20,000 views about 48 hours ago. Since then, it has climbed to over 8 MILLION. (via)

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Keyboard Cat Plays Off 'American Dad'

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-10T18:45:00+00:00

Filed under: Humor, Television

Yes, we realize the Keyboard Cat is officially everywhere. But, despite all of Fatso's high profile appearances, it's still pretty exciting to see KC pop up on network TV. Keyboard Cat's creator Brad O'Farrell alerted me to a moment in last night's 'American Dad' where the main character Stan supposedly has an accident in a pool and the clip makes the rounds online (I didn't watch the whole thing, so sue me). Perhaps a change of location will help escape the embarrassment? Ah, the Keyboard Cat will find you.

related:// Watch all of Urlesque's previous Keyboard Cat coverage

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Betty White Thanks Facebook on 'Saturday Night Live'

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-10T14:15:00+00:00

Filed under: Humor, Videos

Remember when Facebook banded together to get Betty White to host Saturday Night Live? Before everyone started freaking out about privacy settings, Facebook was a place where a few hundred (thousand) people could easily "Become a Fan" of a cause and actually get that cause to come to fruition.

In this case: Betty White on SNL! Over half a million people joined the group that convinced NBC and Lorne Michaels to give the 88-year old Golden Girl a chance and this past weekend she proved to be the season's funniest host. And it it wouldn't have happened without YOU!

Check out Betty's opening monologue, where she thanks Facebook and cracks a few jokes about the social networking behemoth.

related:// Stuff Betty White People Like
related:// Watch the full episode -- and a few extra scenes that didn't make it into the final show -- over at Hulu.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

30 Years of Iconic Apple Commercials [Gawker.TV]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-06T15:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Tech, Quick Link

Has Apple always cranked out their signature clean, convincing advertising? From iBooks to iPods, Apple's products have gained them quite a few fanboys along the way, but can you remember the television advertising that got you hooked? Was it the "Get a Mac" campaign featuring "Cool Mac Dude" Justin Long? Or, perhaps the maybe-inebriated Ellen Feiss spot during the "Switch" campaign that subsequently got meme-ified and emixed to death?

Check out 30 years of Apple ads on Gawker.TV as you cradle your bricked first generation iPod.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The 8 Worst Richard Dreyfuss Impressions [Best Week Ever]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-06T14:30:00+00:00

Filed under: Quick Link

The internet: the perfect place to test out dance moves, shamelessly cover 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and, yes, even do your best Richard Dreyfuss impression. Our friends at Best Week Ever have combed the web for the worst Richard Dreyfuss impressions...but is there really such a thing as a bad Richard Dreyfuss impression?

You be the judge.

related:// The Best Christopher Walken Impressions on YouTube

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Urban Hackscapes - Augmented Reality 1.0 [Brain Pickings]

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-05T17:00:00+00:00

Filed under: Art / Design, Quick Link

We're loving this collection of clever "hackscapes," which were all created by placing objects in front of familiar scenes. From souvenirs to drawings to vintage photos, Brain Pickings has an awesome list of the web's most creative urban hackscapes.

Check out the list over at Brain Pickings.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

(The Real) Hugo Chavez Joins Twitter

Lindsey Weber — 2010-05-04T08:00:00+00:00

Filed under: News / Politics, Quick Link

He's not going by @THE_REAL_HUGO, but after letting some fake Hugos run wild on Twitter, the real Chavez has stepped up to the digital plate and is now tweeting.

Read more, get tweet translations and possibly decide to follow the President over at AOL News.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments