Created by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay
Starring: Rob Riggle, Steve Tom, Paul Scheer, Zach Galifianakis, Tim Meadows, Chris Parnell, Ed Helms, David Koechner
The Funny or Die website was created in 2006. And since that time, it has grown in popularity, even getting a series on HBO to showcase the videos from the website. So, if you missed this phenomenon, here is your chance to play catch up with this DVD release.
The Series
Funny or Die is a comedy video website founded by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay and features original and user generated content. Funny or Die is distinctive in that it contains a good deal of original material from a number of famous contributors, such as Judd Apatow, James Franco, Zach Galifiankis and many more. The website also has its own Funny or Die Team which creates original comedic material for the site.
Unlike other viral video sites, members of Funny or Die vote on videos which they view, with the options of “Funny” or “Die”. The video then gets a score of the total percent of people who voted the video “Funny”. If the video receives an 80% or greater “Funny” rating after 100,000 views, it gets an “Immortal” ranking. If the video receives a 20% or less “Funny” rating after 1,000 views, it is relegated to the Crypt section of the site.
The Funny or Die staff can also select a rating of “Chosen One”, which hides the score from the public, merely saying “Chosen One” instead.
So, let’s take a look at what’s offered, shall we?
Designated Driver, starring Rob Riggle and Paul Scheer is a four part story that tells the tale of one drunken night of madness, mayhem and depravity after Riggle’s character calls Scheer’s character to drive him home after a rough night at a bar. I found this funny from start to finish.
I just can’t recommend the Playground Politics segments enough. Children hilariously recreate a succession of political conflicts as they would play out on a playground at recess time.
Derek Waters Presents LOL is a sketch show within a sketch show. The strongest of the sketches in these collections are the ever hysterical Drunk History sketches, where a comedian is given much to drink and proceed to tell the story of a famous person from history. These sketches feature everyone from Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover and Danny McBride. Funny every time.
Casual Sex shows us of the exploits of a very pregnant woman trying to find sexual encounters of every variety while trying to sow her “wild oats” so to speak before the impending birth of her child. Chris Parnell (Saturday Night Live) has a funny cameo in this one.
Magical Balloon won’t be one you will soon forget: Karen Black (Five Easy Pieces, House of 1000 Corpses, Burnt Offerings) and Bud Cort (Harold and Maude) run a small video service. I can’t describe this one, just watch it.
Hold Up is an ongoing tale of individuals held hostage inside of a bank. This one features Ed Helms (The Office, The Hangover), Rachel Harris (The Hangover, Reno 911, The Sarah Silverman Program), and Malin Akerman (The Watchmen) and is enjoyable from start to finish.
Day By Day, Men of Unquiet Desperation, The Carpet Brothers, Father and Son and in particular, Space Baby are all lots of surreal fun.
So, put this in the queue or just go ahead and put it in the collection. If you are tired of all the gray winter weather and the never ending threat of the next “snowpocalypse”, this will bring a smile to your mug.
7.5/10
The Video
The series is presented in widescreen. This is a decent, but not remarkable transfer of the series to DVD. The colors are respectably bright and I did not notice any edge enhancement or artifacts.
5/10
The Audio
The series is presented in an English 5.1 audio mix with optional subtitles in English, Spanish and French. The dialogue is crystal clear throughout. There isn’t much usage of all the speakers in a 5.1 setup, but it isn’t necessary with this program.
6/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features
The series is presented in a standard amaray case with artwork suited to the show presented.
There are no bonus features, so the score is low in this category.
1/10
Overall (Not an Average) 7/10
The Series 7.5/10
The Video 5/10
The Audio 6/10
The Packaging and Bonus Features 1/10
Overall (Not an Average) 7/10