This is probably boring, but whatever

The video below isn't really directed at people who read this blog, who I understand to be largely accepting of the fact that one can appreciate things beyond the straightforward dynamic of like and dislike. I don't even think of emotional response as a continuum, but like a stew of all sorts of feelings (embarrassment, endearment, derision, adoration and fustration can intermingle as a response to a certain reality show, for example). That emotional complexity is the root of the fun that pop culture provides to me.

And you get that, and I know that, but YouTube, which is home to the most base thinking of any "community" that I frequent, does not. A lot of people have commented on that Beyoncé clip reel that I did, and while the response has been largely positive, the negative stuff really kills me. The gist of it is, "Beyoncé is not redickulouse! Your ridickaluss, HATERRR!!1!!11!" These comments do not hurt my feelings in any personal way, but the general sentiment makes me sad. I weep for a world so joyless that people can't see the inherent humor in pop music. It's so weird, these over-the-top divas get these followings that are so blind with rabies that they can't even see the extent of the entertainment their heroes are providing. Like, the fact that Mariah/Whitney/Beyoncé/Celine/Whomever is over-the-top isn't high on the list of things you love about her? Really? Sucks to be you!

I wouldn't count on reaching YouTube via writing as YouTube users a) don't read this blog and b) don't know how to read at all, apparently. And so, I've decided to post a video response to this shit, in which I name the 10 Most Ridiculous Comments Left for the 10 Most Ridiculous Things About The Beyoncé Experience. You'll see immediately that this video is very long. Whatever, as if anyone on YouTube has the ability to edit himself, anyway. I'm mostly just posting this to show you that I'm not slacking.

Oh, Winston makes a cameo or two, though. That makes it at least slightly more relevant, right?

Oh, and spare me the "OMG, your videos suck!" bitching. You don't want me to get pissed and make a video on your ass, do you?

Comments

[S]

The only acceptable hate, is the hate you feel when someone can't spell or use proper grammar.

Rawk on!

[samboo]

yes!! I am so with you! I always wonder about the youtube comments, alot of them are not only ig-nit but seriously racist among so so so many other grammer related issues...who schools these kids? :> love all your vids!

[Emily]

Oh, you are awesome for pointing this out. The "cutesy/clever(?)" spelling kills me and a part of me dies every time I see it used. Thanks for the clips of Winston as well!

[Rachel D.]

YouTube comments never fail to crush my faith in humanity. Case in point: Fuxx?!?

In any case, you? A sassy little minx, per usual. Winston? Cute, but I always thought that his voice would be a bit deeper.

[Billy]

This is why you are one of my favorite bloggers (sorry, it's not for the ANTM recaps). The fact that someone with demonstrable intelligence can blog so consistently (and cogently) on pop culture makes me happy, so thank you.

PS: Where the hell did you get that screen shot of Miss Piggy and Joan Rivers?? I have been looking for that scene on youtube for the longest time--it was one of my absolute favorites as a child, along with many scenes from Flashdance.

[motorobike]

you give me more reasons to love you everyday, rich...

[ellen]

if only the internet was more like fourfour.

[Leanne]

I'm waiting for the day you're bigger than Perez Hilton and have your own specials and tshirts. I know it's coming soon.

[Leanne]

If you get tshirts made for this site, I will pay dearly for one of Michael Kors with a thought bubble of "I'm a Pepper" over his head.

[kami2000]

Oh Rich, you don't have to explain yourself to dumb 14yr olds, you've got your fans with much higher IQs and reading abilities. I totallly agree that to love Pop music, you've got to love the crazyness that IS pop music, which is why I can't wait for Spice Girls to come to my town!!!

[marie]

first of all, you're a sexy beast, love your video rants. that beyonce montage was linked up at dlisted a couple days ago, i was like yea!! i would have been here anyway, but dlisted is totally the new perez hilton. anyway, yes youtube commenters are pretty entertaining, but we all fall under that sort of thing where we see a video, have absolutely nothing clever or witty to say, so we'll make up some stuff to elaborate on our hate/love messages. and on the final note, black is not your friend!! it makes you look fat, stick to light colors, and a plain black hoodie really says to me either lazy or crackhead.

[Jimmy]

You are amazing - LOVE watching you / hearing your comments :)

[superlotado]

um, sorry, marie, but i don't think we all actually do that. i know i don't.

[Another Chris]

This made my day :)

And I agree with "S", the only hate acceptable is that which drives someone to correct their grammar or spelling deficiencies.

[BlackRaspberry]

I used to try so hard to watch videos on YouTube without scrolling down to the comments. Then one day I slip up, and BOOM -- I'm in an argument with someone probably under the age of 12 about the interpretive qualities of a music video (that is to say, I thought the video was good, he thought it wasn't, and the bitchfest began).

It's the probably with anything dealing with that includes THAT many people: 'cause the vast majority of people are kinda dumb. Even, sometimes, the smart ones.

[Kim]

Re: KuteBoy.

Self Self Self Self Self Self Self Self.

I just wanted to be able to remark using the work Self more than he did because DANG did he overuse it!

[JustMe]

Youtube is plagued by an epidemic of illiterate jackasses suffering from a severe case of thoughtless, knee-jerk commenting. Maybe there should be a short IQ cum grammar test for everyone to take, at least on initial sign-up, to be cleared to comment.. I think that would filter out the vast majority of idiots. One can only hope!

Anyway, the Beyonce video was hilarious. Very original, very funny, very ridiculous.

[darek]

omg! that's joan rivers?! i thought it was anna nicole

[Sarah G.]

It's about time someone called you out for trying to take down Beyonce. First, it's a highlights reel of her ridiculous, then it's poison in her lace-front. The terror alert has been elevated to orange.

[Sarah G]

I meant ridiculousness. I can't even write anymore - these youtubers keep fuxxing with me!

[vince]

speaking as someone with undying love for beyonce, i thought your video was brilliant. it made me want to actually buy the dvd (i'm not so much a fan of concert DVDs).

[RD]

Shake off the stans, Rich. Shake off the stans.

[Nicolars]

I almost wish that there was an option where youtube comments were hidden and could only be visible if you clicked on the option to read them. It is seriously depressing to click on something fun and then see loads of racist, homophobic and/or/especially ILLITERATE drivel in the comments section.

[andrea]

I'm waiting for the day you're bigger than Perez Hilton and have your own specials and tshirts. I know it's coming soon.

Posted by: Leanne | December 12, 2007 at 12:30 PM

----

amen to that

[marie]

and i also have to say, next time you say winston, you have to say it in the heavy cockney accent from lock stock and two smoking barrels "chill wind-stone"!