Gallows Humor Videos Help With These Tough Times

Sarah Cooper is just one of my gallows humor
lifelines in this terrible pandemic era. 

Sarah Cooper. Julie Nolke. And, of course, Randy Rainbow.

These are people I absolutely rely on as this depressing, awful, horrible pandemic roars on.

LIke everybody else, I get anxious, depressed, angry, frustrated over the way things are, the bad direction the nation is going in, and the so-called leaders who have utterly failed us.

Negative emotions like this are not sustainable. The wear you down, and you become brittle and hostile and standoffish and not somebody you want to be around

So you look for an antidote. The best way to do it, at least for me, is to just embrace the gallows humor the current situation has us in. Which is why these three people are my lifeline.

You can look Cooper, Nolke and Rainbow up on social media. I have featured all three on this here blog thingy before, but it's always good and to highlight them again.  Maybe they can be your lifeline

First, here's Julie Nolke with Anna Akana in "Pandora's Box"  We watch Pandora and Zeus having a Zoom meeting. And it is the ultimate example of a bad, stereotypical mess up of a corpoerate meeting between a boss and underling.

 It turns out, both are culpable here, and it's a parable of how the leaders and their middle managers are incompetendly mucking up our lives.



I know many people will disagree with me, but Donald Trump's voice just grates on me. I clench my teeth every time I hear that idiot spout his word salad.  Sarah Cooper comes to the rescue with her delicious lip syncing of Donald Trump.



And who can forget Randy Rainbow? I've stopped posting every video he puts out, like I used to, because as much as I love Randy, I can't be exclusively a Randy Rainbow fan club. It's so easy to ind his videos anyway.

Between his singing talent, his top rate ability to throw shade, the lyrics, and the ideas, and his pretend participation in news conferences, you can't beat him. He also has an encyclopedic knowledge of songs he can tap to turn into his perfect parodies.

And his naughtiness.  I'll spoil a joke because I love it so much: Rainbow sings that lately all his rallies and events are like his sex life: Nobody comes.

His latest video taps "Poor Unfortunate Souls" from "The Little Mermaid to bring us "Poor Deplorable Troll:

Watch:

Imagine A January, 2020 Conversation From Yourself 4 Months In The Future

April, 2020 Julie Nolke tries to explain the world to January, 2020
Julie Nolke, and it's confusing. 

(EDITOR'S NOTE) Fun Update to this post when you scroll down past the video with this first post.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSION 

Almost none of us new the coronavirus pandemic would this be horrific and all consuming back in January or early February.

Imagine if your future self, from April 2020 sat down for a chat with you in January, 2020. The future self maybe couldn't give you all the details, but could provide hints.

Julie Nolke did imagine that. So she made a video of her January self hanging out blissfully in her home when the April version of Julie Nolke appears.

How awesome! The January Julie Nolke is going to learn what will happen in her exciting year. But, it becomes apparent that what actually happens is not her ideal version of exciting. January Julie Nolke learns that the giant Australian wildfires (remember those?) will not be the defining image of 2020.

It kind of goes downhill from there.

This video, by the way, was made before the nation erupted in protests over the George Floyd, who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer in May.  The video probably would have been much different, and darker, had it been made more recently.

In any event, the video is genius. Watch:




UPDATE: Now, Nolke has an update, a darker one, really, of the April self in the video above talkig with her June self.

"Murder hornets? Murder hornets!"   Then the conversation devolves from there, believe it or not.

It's a great video, but to make absolutely sure the new video gets revenue, I'll just have you click on this link.  Proceeds of the video go to the Official George Floyd Memorial fund.

Sarah Cooper's Trump Lip Syncing Is Comedy Gold

Sarah Cooper in full Donald Trump mode

There's a series of TikTok clips and YouTube videos that you just HAVE to sample.

It's writer and comedian Sarah Cooper imitating Donald Trump's rantings during news conferences and other events. What makes this so hilarious is her very natural looking but mocking mannerisms that just really hit the funny bone.

They come quickly. Notice early in the video, below,  how she sniffs the Sharpie she's holding.

Or when she's playing with the spray bottle of bleach while touting how that might cure Covid. Or how she quickly puts away that can of Diet Coke when a reporter starts asking questions.

Cooper has said in interviews she's amazed how some corporate types, and people like Trump can prattle on about nothing and people around them pretend they're saying something profound. She's just exposiing the vapidness of these so-called titans in these videos.

She said she purposely dresses as herself and doesn't put on a wig or makeup to look like Trump.  After all, it's the words she's highlighting.

In any event, you have to see Cooper's videos to truly enjoy them.  It's the best parody since Randy Rainbow.  Who, by the way, put out a new video last week called "Distraction." It's to the tune of "Tradition" from Fiddler On The Roof.  So go watch that video, too.

But first, here's a Sarah Cooper compilation:



Cooper also parodied the infamous interview between Anderson Cooper and the completely bonkers mayor of Las Vegas a month or so back:

Randy Rainbow Has Some Advice For Clorox Virus Fighters

A bit of a scary screenshot from Randy Rainbow's latest
Time for a Clorox treatment! 

After Donald Trump's ill fated appearance Thursday in which he "sarcastically," so he said, suggested using household cleaners in our bodies to kill the coronavirus, people have of course reacted with an appropriate mix of horror and derision.  

However, as usual, Randy Rainbow has the last word on this subject with a new video dropped perfectly timed this morning - a nice Saturday treat.

This time, he's channeling Julie Andrews with this (very much NOT) medical advice

One of the things I love about this latest video is how cheerful it is, with such a grim topic. I know, I'm a bit weird, I know.

So sit back with Dr. Rainbow and enjoy "Spoonful Of Clorox"

Cuomo Brother Begin Coronavirus Family TV Comedy-Drama

The Cuomo Brothers, Chris and Andrew, have been giving us a bit of
family comedy amid the tragedy of the Coronavirus pandemic 

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to lead his state through one of the world's worst and most tragic "hot spots" in the global coronavirus pandemic.

His brother, Chris Cuomo, is a CNN anchor trying to report on this massive story. In a plot twist, Chris Cuomo has come down with the illness.

Chris has had to interview his brother Andrew through this.  The brothers' sibling rivalry has become maybe the hottest TV comedy-drama out there.

Its' obviously the brothers love each other, but boy, are they brothers in every sense of the word!  Through this serious time, despite the Cuomos serious demeanors, they've given us several splashes of welcome comic relief.

Here's a highlight video to prove my point:

A Departure For Randy Rainbow: He Praises His Target, Hilariously, Of Course

Randy Rainbow today offered a video love letter to Andrew Cuomo.

We're all used to the brilliant comedian and satirist Randy Rainbow skewering political nitwits in his videos.  

Today, he dropped a video called "Andy" which is to the tune of "Sandy" from "Grease."

The target in this video is New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the good gov survives the video unscathed.

Rainbow's "Andy" is a love letter to the level-headed, fact driven, compassionate but tough Cuomo, whose daily televised coronovirus updates and briefings are some of the most informative, reassuring information we get about the Corvid-19 pandemic.

I certainly feel myself drawn to Cuomo's briefings. They sure are, ahem, a big contrast from what we're getting from the Trump administration.

Rainbow is so smitten by Cuomo in "Andy" that he sings that he now identifies as a "cuomosexual."  I kinda do, too, frankly.  If only all our leaders could be as good in a crisis as Cuomo.

Here's Rainbow's latest to give you a little levity in this dark week:

Randy Rainbow Instructs Us Hilariously On Social Distancing

Randy Rainbow this Sunday morning released a new, much needed
musical video urging social distancing because of the coronavirus

This Sunday morning, the always-welcome Randy Rainbow dropped another video to help get us through our coronavirus lockdowns.  

Rainbow's output of videos seems to be increasing lately. He must be staying at home and making these.

I'm sure his shows are suspended for now. I notice his tour schedule is blank through May 1, at least for now.

He's obeying the social distancing orders to blunt the spread of the coronavirus.

That's what he urges us to do in this latest video, which is a parody of the song "I Can Go The Distance" from "Hercules."

As always, Rainbow starts with a news interview, this time with who he describes as "The dance captain of the coronavirus task force Mike Pence."

Rainbow notes that, at least in Donald Trump's mind, the disease is now called the "Hillary Flu."  At first, Rainbow resists Pence's call for social distancing by noting he already has purchased tickets and doesn't want to cancel his Passover plans to participate in the Black Light Underwear Foam Party in Cancun.

Luckily for all of us for a lot of reasons, Rainbow pivots, quickly and wholeheartedly embracing  the idea of social distancing as he launches into the song. "I will save the human race by lying on my couch," he vows. Rainbow adds, as he patriotically wraps himself in an American flag, "I'll defeat the enemy by binging 'This Is Us,'"

He concludes by singing "But for now just suck it up and stay the f**k inside," while we see an image of the of-so religious Pence solemnly nodding to the line in approval. Watch:

Randy Rainbow Takes On The Coronavirus

Randy Rainbow is giving us a bit of gallows humor
with "The Coronavirus Lament."

Leave to Randy Rainbow to give us a bit of comic relief for the coronavirus nightmare.

Over the weekend, Rainbow dropped a new video called "The Coronavirus Lament."

It's based on "Adelaide's Lament," by Frank Loesser, which is from the 1950 Tony-winning musical "Guys and Dolls."

I've been a nervous wreck during this crisis, so I definitely need a laugh. You do, too.

Like Clockwork, Randy Rainbow Gives Us A New Video Today: "No Rules"

To brighen your Tuesday, Randy Rainbow has dropped
another great video.  Dance to "No Rules For Donald"

Any week is good when Randy Rainbow drops a new video, which I always report here. And we got a hot new one today called "No Rules For Donald."  

As usual, he starts with a news interview this time with U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr. Rainbow and Barr must be on a first name basis, since Rainbow calls him "Roseanne."

But anway, once we get into the song, which is based on Dua Lipa's hit "New Rules," we get into all of Trump's GOP enablers.

Other than the fact that I will never unsee that brief glimpse of Devin Nunes in ruby red lipstick, this is another video to brighten hour dystopian, gloomy February day. Watch and enjoy!

Randy Rainbow Takes A Nice Impeachment Swipe At Trump

In these gloomy impeachment times, Randy Rainbow just
dropped another gem

YouTube star, satirist and singer Randy Rainbow hasn't made as many hit funny videos lately as he did earlier last year.

He's been touring and supporting his wonderful schtick on the road. That doesn't mean he's stopped making videos, oh, no.  

Rainbow dropped another gem yesterday.   He starts by introducing the president of the United States, ("at least at the time this video was recorded)."

Then, Rainbow offers Trump help with his marketing, his self-branding if you will, with a song that's a takeoff of "Gaston" from "Beauty And The Beast."

Without further delay, here's "That Don" by Randy Rainbow:

Fake SNL Macy's Ad Nails What We Hate About Christmas, Especially When There's Children

Things aren't nearly this happy in a fake Macy's Christmas ad
from Saturday Night Live that gives us a dose of reality in the
midst of all the fake Christmas cheer. 

I'm a bah hum-bug kinda guy during the Christmas season, so I really get irritated by those chirpy-voiced ads on TV from those retailers announcing their holiday sales specials.

Most of the narrators sound like they are offering a sippy cup to their toddlers.

I don't know why they're offering me things in that tone of voice. I'm not a toddler and I like to think I'm more mature, smarter and more experienced than a toddler.

But who knows?

Now, Saturday Night Live hasn't been very great this year, but this week, they did a fake commercial from Macy's that is just perfect.

The sippy cup voiced actress touts the latest clothing offerings from the retailer. The first few seconds of the video offer the standard offerings for the adults. You'd easily mistake it for a real Macy's Christmas ad.

Then the bulk of the rest of the ad gets into those cute childrens' outfits that will ultimately be worn by not-so-cute children. And their exasperated parents have to deal with it. Which causes all kinds of stress, such as public embarrassment, hatred toward kids and marital discord, all things that are NOT supposed to happen at Christmas, according to the marketers.

Sample ad copy from this video, which is so like real life:

"All month long, we're taking 25% off boys' merino wool sweaters that won't fit over his head," the sippy cup narrator states.  The video shows a fed-up dad trying to put the sweater on his squirmy young son. "If you'd stop squirming, it would be on already!," the blandly handsome dad hisses at the kid.

As we all know, the stress of Christmas brings all these on more than any other time of year. So yeah, bah-humbug!

I think the video, at least in one sense, brings us the true feeling of Christmas, or at least the aspect of it in which society demands that everything be perfect and happy, but we can't quite live up to reality.

I think a lot of people agree. The video had 4.3 million views within less than 48 hours of when it was posted.

It's a great video for everybody. But I imagine it's fantastic for parents of young children. Watch and enjoy and feel the catharsis:

Randy Rainbow Is Feeling Conflicted Over The Mueller Report We Haven't Seen Yet

Just as I expected, Randy Rainbow has a new video now that Robert Mueller has submitted his report to the Attorney General.

As we now know, the report apparently doesn't say Donald Trump criminally colluded with Russia. But he's not "exonerated" either, despite the spin you hear from the White House and his Republican patsies.

All these mixed messages has us all feeling conflicted, including Randy Rainbow.

So, the latest parody is called "The Mueller Blues," to the tune of Sondheim's "Buddy Blues."  Another classic, including the murderous crime of Sarah Huckabee's pink blouse. Here you go:

Randy Rainbow Alert: Yet Another One, As Naturally We Get A Trump/Kim Summit Edition

Randy Rainbow is at it again, this time skewering Donald Trump
and the recent summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Randy Rainbow keeps cranking them out, and I dutifully post them in this here blog thingy.

I'm a fan boy, deal with it.

This time the tune is "He's In Love (And We're All Going To Die.)" This cheerful tune is a parody of the song from South Pacific, "I'm In Love With A Wonderful Guy."

At the start of this video, like all Randy Rainbow videos, it starts with a "news" interview. This time Randy introduces President Donald Trump as "the castoff from Bachelor Hanoi." This, of course focuses on the star-crossed recent summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 

I won't give away anything else, but one is full of zingers, as usual. And as always, this video is a delight.

Watch:

President Trump Just Proposed An Original, Awesome Idea For The Fourth Of July

President Trump proposes making the Fourth of July
all about him because of course. 

How's this for an idea to celebrate our nation's birth.

On July 4, have a nice, big parade, with bands, floats and cheering crowds. Throw in a great afternoon of picnicking and partying, then top it all off with a big fireworks display.

Nobody thought of this great idea until our fearless leader, President Donald Trump announced the idea today. 

Well, OK, there have been juuuusst vaguely similiar events on the Fourth of July for many years.

Such as what happens on July 4 every year: A nice, big parade, with bands, floats and cheering crowds. Throw in a great afternoon of picknicking and partying, then top it all off with a big fireworks display.

But Trump announced the idea today. So it's new! And his idea has an added bonus: "An address, by your favorite president, me!"

Of course, if Trump isn't your favorite president, I guess you're not invited.

Never mind that Washington DC has been home to a Fourth of July celebration for decades at least. Now, it's going to be all about Trump. Because everything has to be all about Trump. I mean this blog post is all about Trump. See?

Trump's Fourth of July idea seems to have garnered a few skeptical responses on Twitter and elsewhere.

Most of the comments are along the lines of, you idiot, we do that kind of thing every year.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-CA wrote on Twitter:

"If this goes well, I think we should follow it with a big party in Times Square the night before New Year's Day."

Wow! All these great ideas emerging! What will they think of next?

Randy Rainbow Update: This Week He's Channeling Madonna In "Border Lies"

In his latest video, Randy Rainbow channels Madonna with
his new song "Border Lies."

One of my most favorite Madonna tunes is "Borderline."

But I have to say Randy Rainbow, in his latest video that was dropped today, has improved upon the song greatly with his new version, called "Border Lies."

It was inevitable that Rainbow would take on the so-called national emergency Trump declared over the border.

He didn't get his money for his stupid wall, and his predictable tantrum took the form of declaring a fake emergency for his border wall, or fence or whatever.

You have to admit, Trump gave Rainbow a nice assist with his sing-song speech about how his "emergency" will wend its way through the courst. "I love this song," Rainbow gushingly stage whispers to his journalistic colleagues in the video.

Then the performance of "Border Lies" gets underway.

Sample lyric:

"Border lies
Great for distracting from Russian ties 
More insulting than your skin tone 
Talkin' 'bout border lies."

The video has everything, even a Nancy Pelosi style clap back.

My only quibble is I don't think Randy Rainbow can pull off a 1980s style hairdo as well as Madonna could back in the day, but oh, well.

Here's the video, so enjoy!

News In Review: Bad Lip Reading Of Trump's State Of The Union

Let's do another Bad Lip Reading to keep this month's absurdity going.

OK, I admit I just featured the "Bad Lip Reading" YouTube videos during the Super Bowl earlier this month, but I can't resist the same YouTube channel's take on Donald Trumps State of the Union address.

In this absurd lip reading world, we learn Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence don't get along (no surprise there).

We also learn how much animosity Bernie Sanders feels toward Trump. In the bad lip reading, Sanders tells a colleague, "I want to roast all of his fingers."

And that famous Pelosi clap back was actually approval when Trump told the Halls of Congress: "I like a pizza party very much."

Here's the rest of the craziness for your deep winter entertainment:

"Star Spangled Banner" Sounds Suspiciously Russian When Played In Minor Key

Comedian and musician Bill Bailey gives us an unsettling
take on "The Star Spangled Banner"

A comedian and musician named Bill Bailey has given us a rather startling musical oddity.

He likes to play around with musical scores, playing tunes intended to be played in a minor key in a major key instead. And he plays songs in major keys in minor keys.

There's a viral video floating about in which Bailey gives examples. The video is at the bottom of this post. At first he plays around with different snippets of songs, then gets to "The Star Spangled Banner," the United States National Anthem.

Like most national anthems, "The Star Spangled Banner" is meant to be played in a major key. As Bailey says, that makes them feel celebratory and uplifting.

He then tries "The Star Spangled Banner" in a minor key. The result is pretty unsettling, given the alleged deep ties between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and the allegations Trump colluded with Russia to get elected.

Yep, in a minor key, the "Star Spangled Banner" sounds like, well, Russian!

Listen for yourself:

Christmas Gifts Only The Weirdest Could Love

I'm sure all of your friends would just LOVE a nose
warmer that looks like a spider! 

The Huffington Post recently put up an article that is sure to bring joy, or pain to every holiday shopper out there.

It's a comprehensive list of some of the more, um, novel Christmas gifts you can share this year.

I'll let you read the whole story, but I will cherry pick some of my favorites from this list.

One of these special Christmas gifts is a Trump bottle opener, which has the sound of Trump ranting. One of the messages spouts off about fake news when you use it. Frankly, I hope my nice cold bottle of beer is not fake news when I open it, so I'll pass on this one.

Ugly Christmas sweaters are all the rage in recent years, and I think I found the worst yet. It depicts Santa, sitting on a chimney, pants down, taking a dump down the chimney into somebody's fireplace. I think that qualifies as worse than getting a lump of coal in your stocking.

Here's the sales pitch from the company that sells this thing. "Ugly Christmas sweater has a whole new meaning when you rock up wearing something that literally takes a dump all over the Christmas season. He delivers to every boy and girl in one night, folks - when you gotta go, you gotta go."

I don't think this sweater is turning into a hit. At last check it was on sale - meaning they're trying to unload this, um, mess. The price keeps going down. It started at $84.95, went down to $78.95 and at last check was a low, low $59.95.

Still too pricy for me. Even so, you might want to continue on with this shitty Christmas idea. You can combine the above gift with the book "We Wish You A Poopy Christmas."

Honestly, the sales pitch for this book is even worse than the one for the poopy Christmas sweater:

The worst possible ugly
Christmas sweater.

"Curl up by the fire with some steaming hot chocolate and listen to Fudgy the Poopman offer his unique take on your favorite Christmas tales. You're probably familiar with Rudolph and his red nose, but in this book, you hear how Christmas was saved by Rupert, whose case of IBS has left him with shining red spot on the opposite end of the reindeer body."

I'm not sure why our nation's recent infantile obsession with poop is so rampant, but this Christmas stuff proves it's jumped the shark and must end now.

Moving on, the Christmas season is often chilly, especially for us northerners. We wear coats, hats, mittens, and even ear muffs. But what if your nose gets cold?  Well, of course there's a Christmas gift solution!

Keep your schnoz warm with a Spider Nose Warmer. I just love how the marketers of this thing in their sales pitch have absolutely no command of the English language. I'll quote it verbatim, with no editorial corrections:

"Nose warmer pom pom Christmast gadget. Funny nose gift nose heath Vegan friendly, Nose cozy winter heater. Your noise never been worn, it's made just for you....A unique practical way to keep your nose warm. Sure to be a hit with all. Fun and useful, great for everyone. Loops on each side of the Nose Warmer hook behind the ears, stretchy easy and comfortable to wear. And feets all."

Feets all? I thought it was a nose warmer. No thanks, I'll pass. They say a cold nose is a sign your dog is healthy. I'll just assume that if my nose is cold, I'm healthy.

I haven't finished my holiday shopping yet. I'm a last-minute kinda guy. But rest assured, family and friends! You're not getting any of the items listed above. If that disappoints you, buy 'em yourself!

PETA's Animal Cliche Suggestions Are Basically Beating A Dead Horse

PETA doesn't want us to use cliches that seem mean to animals.
Their alternative suggestions need work, though. 

There's an amazing number of cliches out there that involve animals.

That's the elephant in the room. There's more than one way to skin a cat. That dog don't hunt. Don't let the cat out of the bag. One trick pony. The lion's share. Pig headed. The cat's meow. Dog days of summer.  

Well, PETA, the strident animal rights group, thinks we ought to change some of our animal cliches to not celebrate cruelty to animals. Never mind that people who use these cliches generally don't want to abuse animals.

But never mind.

PETA decrees that we must change the following cliches to the some non-cruel alternatives. So here we go:

"Kill two birds with one stone" must now be "Feed two birds with one scone." (I had no idea birds like scones. Go figure.)

"Be a guinea pig" should become "Be the test tube."

"Beat a dead horse." should turn into "Feed a fed horse."  If the horse has been fed, it's not hungry. Why would you want to force food this poor creature? That seems cruel, but whatever. Plus, the fed horse thing makes no sense.

"Bring home the bacon" needs to change to "Bring home the bagels."

"Take the bull by the horns" should  become "Take the flower by the thorns." Um, most flowers don't have thorns. And even if they do, why should anyone punish themselves by poking themselves wityh thorns. You CAN be careful.

Now, like most people, I'm really, really not into torturing animals. But as usual, don't you think PETA is taking things just a wee bit too far?

As you'd expect the Twttersphere is not having it.

@tryzick put in a dig in by saying: "Raising awareness and teaching us new phrases? That's killing two birds with one stone right there."

Another wag, Nick Wing, a reporter at Huffington Post, @nickpwing added this: "We should also addressthe 800-pound gorilla in the room who is the  perfect weight because we don't body shame here."

Wing also observed this truthism: "Few things unite the right and left like an opportunity to dunk on PETA." 

At least the organization is one of those great uniters, huh?

Randy Rainbow's Latest: A Few Of Trump's Favorite Things

Randy Rainbow goes all "Sound of Music" on us in his
latest parody video. Spoiler: It's mean to Donald Trump. 

I guess I'm going to post every new Randy Rainbow video that comes out, and a new one popped up this week.

This one has sort of a holiday feel, as Randy goes over a few of Donald Trump's Favorite Things.  This, of course, is a parody of "A Few Of My Favorite Things" from "The Sound Of Music."

I wonder what Julie Andrews thinks of this Randy Rainbow video.

Anyway, as usual with Randy Rainbow,  I kinda think this video is NSFW. A little off-color. And plus it's not good office etiquette to trigger co-workers who might be fans of Trump.

Also as usual, this video is brilliant. Sample lyric:

"Burying Tax Returns After You File 'em/Tear Gassing migrants for seeking asylum"

I'll do no more spoilers. Here's the video: