By Lindsay Bell
It seemed appropriate, for this last Gin and Topics of the year, to have a look back.
To reflect on what came before, good and – let’s face it – sometimes bad.
Um, Prancercise, anybody…??
Yes, the land of the viral video can be a frightening place.
And nothing illustrates that fact quite so succinctly as the annual YouTube Rewind video – aptly titled this year “What Does 2013 Say?”
But I didn’t want to play the bad stuff.
The Annoying Orange.
The plethora of Miley spoofs.
I wanted to focus on the happy. And of course, there are a kajillion I couldn’t mention, because we only have five spots.
So, without further ado, this week’s videos are brought to you by…well, each and everyone of you!
Because without you all, no video could ever achieve viraldom (yes, I’m aware that’s not a word).
So, sit back, eat some more festive food, and enjoy the last Gin and Topics of 2013.
5. YouTube Rewind: What Does 2013 Say? Well, what else could it say but Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!? I’m always amazed at the production values that go into the annual YouTube Rewind. And how fast we forget from January to December, those videos that rose to the top (note to marketers). Enjoy this little wonder, as well as a few of my personal faves from 2013 below.
4. Jimmy Fallon, Robin Thicke The Roots Sing “Blurred Lines”. Ok, I was going to play Jimmy Fallon and The Roots doing Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” in fact, anything that Jimmy Fallon does *swoon,* but then I remembered how much Gini Dietrich loves Alan Thicke’s son. {EW!} So, raise a glass to another year’s passing. May we never hear another “Blurred Lines” – except a version like this one!
3. Conversations With My Two-Year-Old at Bath Time. I love, love, love Conversations With My Two-Year-Old. If you don’t know it, Matthew Clarke, dad to a rather precocious two-year-old (now three), writes down things she says to him. Then he reenacts these everyday scenarios with a grown man standing in for his daughter. It’s pure gold. And a perfect level of disturbing. I just hope he’s still doing this when she’s 16!
2. Get Off the Phone Song by Rhett and Link. I missed Rhett and Link this year, which is another thing I love about these YouTube round-ups, so I checked them out. This is some funny stuff. It’s a hilarious video (pay special attention to the couple on a date, on their phones!), and sadly, so very true. Myself included. We really DO need to get off our phones.
1. Kid President’s 20 Things We Should Say More Often. I adore Kid President. And to every critic who railed in 2013 about him being overly produced or scripted by adults, who cares! He’s an extremely talented little guy, with charm and charisma to spare. And also, CORNDOGS!
Enjoy your weekend, and stay safe if you’re partaking in any New Year’s Eve festivities. See you next year!