I've been absolutely drowning in email lately. I think I did it to myself but overwhelmed is not quite the word for it. If you're waiting on a reply from me, hold tight.

That said, instead of replying to those emails I'll compile a list of distracting and enjoyable videos for you. So, here you are:

• Squeeze - I posted this previously but it requires multiple viewings.
• A24 - The Green Knight Trailer - very few studios doing horror period pieces. Intrigued.
• Is Stephen Merchant a Living Landmark? - I've been watching an awful lot of Would I Lie To You?, a British gameshow where the panel members tell a story and the competition tries to determine if it's legit or not. This is a fine example of why I'm so entertained.
• Billie Eilish ft. OwlKitty - this is done remarkably well and, honestly, improves the video 300%.
• Obamium - oh, you know, just one of those videos.
• The night Tom Noddy forever changed the world of bubble entertainment: January 5 1983 - Bubble Magic on TV for nearly ten minutes. Surprisingly enjoyable. Forever changed.

Time for Superbowl Sunday! A festivity that now regularly occurs in direct contrast to my own birthday and often goes up against Groundhog Day. Who wants to go up against Groundhog Day?! It's a fools errand, I'll say that much.

All that is to say.. sometimes an intro paragraph for a weekly collection of distracting videos does not come easy.

Here you go:

• Jaminator Toy Guitar - there are many questions to be asked here and no answers to be found.
• AMES Window - I already posted this guy but his accent is just too delightful not to share it again.
• When You're The Last Pringle in the Can - if this were a YouTube channel I would subscribe and ring the bell.
• Randy Scouse Git - for whatever reason, I find myself revisiting some of my favorites from The Monkees this week. This track has always been a treat and continues to get better every time I listen.
• Florence Pugh Eats 11 English Dishes - Florence Pugh was phenomenal in Midsommar and Little Women. She's also delightful here, eating some familiar favorites.
• Bernie Sanders on The Today Show, 1981 - I know this isn't the typical fodder for Friday Videos but it is astounding how consistent Sanders has been with his message for forty years.
• Some Nice Flutin' - nothing you haven't seen before but combined so well it deserves a play or two
• Hedgehog Jazz - would also subscribe and ring the bell here.

I'll be honest, I'm overwhelmed with email. Drowning in it. I probably shouldn't even be posting a Friday video today as I desperately need to respond to a number of people. I am unable to break myself of the addiction to Inbox Zero. That's just a little personal admission from me, to you.

Here you go:

• TECHNO DANCE! - it starts off good, then it just continues at a rate of escalation that is pleasing beyond words.
• The Times of Bill Cunningham, Official Trailer - I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Bill Cunningham at some events in NYC, riding around on his bike and snapping photos. It was such a pleasant confirmation that I was in the right place. Really looking forward to this.
• Spitfire: The Michael Jordan of Dogs - yea yea yea, you don't come here for 12 minute videos but how bout you jump to 1:15 and try to tell me you don't love seeing a dog leap further than any dog you've ever seen leap before in your entire life.
• Negative Space - again, not your standard 30 second nugget of distraction but this stop-motion short film is Oscar nominated and quite a delight.
• Happy Birthday Cody - and goodnight

I find myself in a YouTube hole last night that began with old, local, commercials and diverged into new and mysterious places from there. I could not be more pleased with the experience. Here's a few distractions discovered during that deep dive and a few other gems for your regular distraction needs.

• Country Boy Waterbeds - get a deal on a Maximum Bedroom (get it?!) from 1987.
• Tommy Cage, Keytar Shredding, Top 10 - the title tells you everything you need to know.
• BBC Dracula Timelapse Ad - I think this is one of the most brilliant things I've seen in awhile.
• Roundball Rock SNL - I was reminded of this treat this week; holds up.
• George's bizzare adventure (seinfeld edition) - I can't say I understand everything that's happening here but I know this song is on repeat for the rest of the day.
• No Beetray - same for this.
• Car Commercial Features - a masterful edit.
• Country Boy Waterbeds - treat yourself with another dose of Maximum Bedroom.

Have you watched the television series version of Fargo? If you answered no, cancel all of your weekend plans and start watching it immediately. Writer/Director Noah Hawley has done an incredible thing with that show and it's hard to articulate just how entertaining it is. If you're tired of overhyped Prestige TV, I hear you, but this one delivers.

Speaking of distractions.. here's a few.

• Fargo: Season 4 trailer - every season of the show is in different times, locations and ensemble casts yet they feel like part of the same criminal world of mishaps. Season 4 looks real good.
• Hellier trailer - if scripted dramas are not your thing, give Hellier a spin. It's on Amazon video and follows a group of paranormal investigators through a mind-numbing amount of twists and turns. This likely deserves its own post.
• The $150,000 Banana - a 13 minute video may not feel like Friday Video material but this is a fascinating rundown of the high art world, this specific Maurizio Cattelan piece and what it all means.
• Possums Eating Bananas - here ya go, this is more our usual speed.
• Unsteady Smack Smack - ah yes, this is why you come here.
• Your Own Larry David - always entertaining.

When I need a pick-me-up, I turn to jjjjjohn. That repository of GIFs never fails to perk a day up.

Happy 2020, hope you aren't back at work yet but, if so, enjoy some mild distraction..

• Pat Sajak: Master Impersonator - it's really uncanny.
• John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch - I've posted about this before but if you haven't watched the new Netflix special from John Mulaney, please do so. It's the perfect blend of snarky, sweet, absurd and heartwarming. Not an easy balance to pull off but it's really stellar.
• Zoomies - I don't care if this is too Basic for you, it's fantastic.
• Turkey Slurpy - hot new trend for 2020.
• Modified Furby - a horrifying dystopian vision OR the best use of Furby? Maybe both.

WHY does this exist!? It's an unanswerable question. Or, maybe, the answer is "we need more trash" but, regardless, it's a complete mystery.

As the year winds down, I am really feeling the need for renovation around these parts. I have plenty of thoughts about "blogs" in general and their place in the world but, regardless of that pondering, this place needs a change. If all goes well over the break, that will happen.

If you're reading this, thank you. I dunno why you come here but I have to assume at this point we know one another and I appreciate the support. I promise to keep the site entertaining, just in a new form.

With that out of the way, let's get into some distractions. Likely the last of the year.

• A Complete History of Music - it started as a tweet thread, now it's a YouTube. You gotta stick with it for the enjoyment to really land.
• TENET Trailer - the new Christopher Nolan movie looks... interesting. I'm definitely on board, whatever it is.
• Baby Yoda loves Sandstorm - the likelihood of this getting pulled down is high but it's worth an attempted watch. Stupid.
• Best News Bloopers 2019 - posted this previously but I still love it. Flubs abound.
• Radiohead - Creep But It's All I Want For Christmas Is You By Mariah Carey - you'd be surprised but this actually works.
• I Was in The Black Eyed Peas. Then I Quit. - not a quick, absurd, distraction but a quality 14 minutes worthy of your time.
• A quick, absurd, distraction worthy of your time.
• Cat Stretch - if there's one video you show your family this holiday season, let it be this one.

I'm in NY this week for meetings and holiday parties and friend catchups so,very little blogging and no Friday videos. However, I hate to leave ya hanging so here's a single little treat for you to enjoy - Harry Hosono and The Yellow Magic Band with "Tokio Rush." Hosono and YMB is the precursor to Yellow Magic Orchestra and it's a fascinating track - where else you gonna hear such a fun little horn used so effectively.

Enjoy!

I've had that GIF sitting on my desktop for weeks. It brings me joy every time I open it.

Can't believe 2019 is in the final stretch already. Ready to wrap up the year, do some reflections, break on work for a bit and then dive headlong into 2020.

But for now... some distractions.

• crab crab food scared crab frightened crab crab crab scared crab food food crab crab hand crab - this is exactly what the Internet was designed for.
• Bernie Sanders playing Uno with Bernie Sanders - or maybe this is why we made the Internet?
• wii theme but you hate it - stick with it.
• Sump'n Claus - five years old, still funny.
• Beck "Uneventful Days" - Kimmel - really unique performance from Beck on the Kimmel show. Love it when they do special performances like this.
• Corned Beef Hash Comparison - "Featureman" has a giant repository of videos featuring himself cooking and reviewing the meals he creates. There's something absolutely delightful about this older gentleman completely understanding the YouTube format. Love this guy.

Hey, it's Black Friday! Please don't let anyone in your zone go out and literally trample someone to death trying to get a deal. That sounds ridiculous but it happens.

I'm having my own holiday sale over at yk Records, so please do me a favor and pick something up. Details here, thank you very much.

On to some distraction!

• SNL Party Song - in case you missed it, a great digital short with Will Ferrell. There's also a Cut For Time sketch that is a tribute to 90-Day Fiance, my favorite trash TV.
• Cats React to Cat Face Filters - I am positive there is plenty of manipulation going on here for these reactions but I don't care.. it works.
• NANI?! - I died.
• Joe Biden Really Means It - look, I'm a diehard liberal but this is beyond idiotic.
• Do Tortoises Like Being Touched? - not a question I thought I needed answered but I think I'm spellbound whenever I see these beasts. Nothing crazy here, just a straightforward answer.
• Supermarket Sweep Fail - I have been watching an absurd amount of Supermarket Sweep lately so I find great pleasure in seeing this dumb dumb go for the bonus prize and fail miserably.

Last week, I thought this Chris Gaines receeding into the bushes GIF was the perfect way to wrap up all my feelings on the whole Chris Gaines project from 20 years ago but then I saw this tweet in which Garth is quoted as saying "The Gaines project isn't done." WTF?!

I imagine this must be a misunderstanding because it's very difficult to imagine how Gaines would resurface in any way that isn't every bit as awkward as it was the first time. I guess time will tell. Gaines re-appears?

And now... distraction.

• McBaise - She's a Big Boy - I love the illustration style of McBess and it's really nice to see some color thrown in and a much more laid back track to accompany it. The surprising turn at the end was a real delight. via Falfa.
• TNGHT - Gimme Summn - completely mesmerizing despite the song being not great (to me). 100% defies description in all the best ways. via Chad.
• Tim Allen Grunt Every Day - A playlist of 978 videos. That's 2.5 years of Tim Allen grunts. Every day. via Paige.
• Curb Your Cybertruck - the new Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled and really lives up to the "super-futuristic cyberpunk" description Musk said it would. Everyone, rightfully, has thoughts. This moment at the unveil is perfect.
• Lil Dog - delight.
• Pug It - it's Friday my dudes.
• In Bloom, by 10-year old Nandi Bushell - please please please stay tuned for the chorus.
• Co-Pilot Loses Phone - even if it's staged, his face is priceless.

If you're in the Nashville area, please come out to this show on Saturday celebrating 10-years of YK Records. Gonna be a good time.

I spent an inordinate amount of time making this Chris Gaines Homer Simpson mashup. All I can see are the rough edges but, frankly, I think they make it a bit more charming. It's dumb but it's perfectly dumb.

As if you needed an excuse for more distractions...

• Christmas at Pirates Village - the true meaning of Christmas.. and pirates. via Forest.
• Andy Shauf - Try Again - another new track from the forthcoming album. Fun little animated video.
• Every Stefon Ever - this is a five part series of every appearance of Stefon SNL. I did not know he started off in a sketch (an awkward one). I suggest watching them all so that Part 4's parade of characters has maximum impact.
• Billy on the Street - 15th anniversary of the show? Insane. Now on Netflix.
• Facts - sometimes the best 6 second video is just a straightforward fact.
• Hey Blake! - what a great message to a nephew.

Two updates of note for ya:
1) I had the pleasure of seeing Sasha Velour's Smoke and Mirrors show last night. If you have the chance, go see it. Honestly, it was a brilliant fusion of tech and performance.

2) Today is the last day that I can call Forest Conner a co-worker, as he is leaving VHX (now known as Vimeo OTT). This may mean nothing to you but it's a nice reminder that if you aren't following him on Twitter; do so now. He's one of the best.

Alright, on to some vids.

• Smoke & Mirrors Trailer - quick little teaser for the Sasha Velour show mentioned above. She's always used projectors very cleverly in her performance but this show really ups the ante.
• US 129 Rock Slide - you will not see anything better on the Internet this week. This guy is absolute perfection.
• New Yorkers Trying to Cross the Street During the NYC Marathon - it's silly but it's fun.
• The Lighthouse, Spongebob Squarepants - it's a stupid mashup but it works surprisingly well.
• SkyTower Fall, Denmark - imagine bungee jumping but without the cord; you just get dropped. Also, remember that people are paying for this.
• Motivation Time with Tofu - I feel confident this channel is 100% sincere and just making delightful videos with this good pupper.
• How can you not see the pool? - You know it's coming but it's still so satisfying.
• US 129 Rock Slide - seriously, watch it again. Every element is unbelievably good.

Okay, now watch this.

I *might* do a special Halloween playlist this year if I can get my act together but, in the meantime, please do give yourself some time to enjoy this massive playlist of retro Halloween commercials. There are some real weird gems in there that you don't want to miss.

Here's some distractions for ya...

• What is Spoopy? - someone asked me the other day wtf "spoopy" meant and I just sent them this video. That's not the full story but what more do you really need?
• Cats vs Invisible Wall - you know what it is immediately and it delivers.
• Animated Skeleton Dance - when they talk about the dark underbelly of YouTube Kids, this is what they mean, right? Horrifying.
• The Pumpkin Dance - I've watched this countless times and it still satisfies every single time. I finally broke down and read the history of the bit and, frankly, it didn't sour it at all.
• Super Cat Theme - can I be perfectly honest with you? I wish the Internet was 100% this content.
• 25 Times Bob Ross Beat the Devil Out of It - I expected this to have a synchronized payoff. It does not. This is purely an exercise in endurance.

I must admit, I've been hoarding this massive playlist of retro Halloween commercials. It's great fuel for my Friday Videos list but it's not right to keep them all for myself. This is over 100 commercials from the 80s and 90s promoting everything from the Ouija Board to insane 1-900 numbers to Spooky Waterbeds.

There's certainly a large part of this that is satisfying because of its nostalgic nature but lots of these are brand new to me and absurdly enjoyable.

I'm doing my best to get into the Halloween mood. It's the 18th and I'm not quite feeling it yet but I suspect spending some time with the Disney Nightmare Mix will get me there. It usually does.

These videos aren't exactly Halloween themed but they will provide a moment for your brain to escape reality and just be stupid for a few minutes.

• HyVee Halloween - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each individual element here is strange but, together, it's an amazingly bizarre dichotomy.
• Thirstbusters! - this Ray Parker Jr commercial is enjoyable-y cringe but the very end contains the absolute worst surprise.
• Deedee Megadoodoo - the ultimate cringe. oof.
• Heaven Let Your Arf Shine Down - I died.
• Listermint - I didn't want to but I enjoyed it. A lot.
• Contemplative Musings - sometimes /youtubehaiku delivers the goods. This week has been a good one.
• Why this chair is on so many album covers - not a goofy, quick, distraction but a delightfully insightful bit of trivia from the folks at Vox.
• Would I Lie to You? with Bob Mortimer's "Egg in the Bath" - the UK loves a panel show. Admittedly, they're somehow more clever and entertaining than the US counterparts. This clip is a "lengthy" 6 and a half minutes but enjoyable throughout.

I found myself explaining the delight of the Inspector Rex intro this week so we're getting a little Rex here in the header. That pup can catch a flying treat! How many takes were involved in this? I like to believe only one. Rex is that good.

Do yourself a favor and go listen to the new Fetching Pails track, it's on the streaming platforms now.

On to the distractions...

• Aldous Harding - "Zoo Eyes" - it'll be hard for Harding to ever top the perfect weirdness of The Barrel but I'll be damned if this isn't absolutely delightful (and still quite weird).
• Halloween Fright Line - why would you call this based on this commercial?!
• Spooky Skeleton Hotline - okay, now I get it.
• Bogline Hotline - okay, confused again.
• Every time Anthony Kiedis says "California" - 2 minute endurance challenge. Pretty great.
• Diabetes v. Diabetuhs - almost sing-song-y.
• Nicolas Godin - "The Border" - not so much a wacky video but more of a slow burn journey with the new single from one half of AIR.

If you're in the Nashville area around Sept 28th, 2019, take some time to swing by Gainesfest; a celebration of the 20-year anniversary of Garth Brooks taking on a fictional pop persona. I have nothing to do with the event but I'll be there slackjawed and staring at a group of people that share such a strange fascination.

Enjoy some stuff I found...

• Terence Howard on the Red Carpet - it's hard to tell if this is a troll or if we should be legitimately worried for Mr. Howard.
• A perfect quadruple back tuck - I cruise /r/youtubehaiku fairly regularly looking for items for these Friday compilations and it is mostly awful... but sometimes you come across a solid gem.
• Spot Launch - the Boston Dynamics Spot Robo-Dog is now a thing that can be purchased. Admittedly, the technology is impressive but they are intentionally making this commercial feel like a dystopian horror movie, right?!
• Amazon Loop - they literally made a wearable ring that you whisper into it and hold to your ear. This implementation is pretty awkward (looking and behaving) but I give them credit for trying something new. Not a funny video, just one to marvel at.
• Octopus Dreaming - I will never tire of seeing an animal color shift. Unbelievable every time.
• Twen - "Damsel" - been very much enjoying this album lately, thought you might as well.

That's it! Short and sweet.. and, frankly, not all that weird. Hopefully still satisfying as you slide into the weekend.

Did you read that the news this week that Tom Delonge of Blink182 had leaked footage of UFO's and now the Navy has confirmed they are unidentified? Sure, it's not confirmation of aliens but still pretty neat. If you haven't seen the NYT piece on the footage, check it out.

Sept 20th is, apparently, a very big day for musical releases. There's a ton of great new stuff that came out today - Patrick Damphier's remix EP among them. I hope you'll take some time to listen to it.

And on we go to some distractions...

• Stoffle the Honeybadger - if you think you can contain a Honeybadger, you're wrong.
• Zelda Theme on Electric Toothbrushes - this entire channel is a ridiculous wonder. Do subscribe.
• Woo - a classic worth revisiting.
• Tornaders - please be a prank, please be a prank, please be a prank.
• Alienstock begins - you know about #StormArea51? The movement to have "thousands" of people storm the government base - running like Naruto - to find answers. It's become a music festival now and I can only imagine how much stupid footage we're going to get over the weekend.
• Radio Shack Vintage - a truly effective ad.
• "Dies irae" is everywhere - not exactly a wacky video but fascinating little VOX piece on a pervasive piece of music.
• Fire Frog, 10 Hours - kind of meditative, kind of bizarre. If you've been looking for a real life Hypnotoad, this may be your answer.

All that being said, the only thing you really need to see this week is this trippy stabilisation.

Hey, it's Friday the 13th! Fun fact, it's also the apogee of the Moon, when it is furthest from the Earth and it's a Full Moon. The criteria is all in place for some real wackiness, be on the lookout!

Kind of love that this Stone Jack Jones record came out on a Friday the 13th, it feels extra appropriate.

Anyway, here we go with some distractions I culled together for you.

• Apple Sept 2019 Announcements - getting out of hand y'all.
• Allegheny Shredder - Boing Boing recently posted about this companies motto - "The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to be Destroyed." Pretty amazing. Watching the shredder in action is bizarrely calming.
• Ceilings in Mr. Robot - been diving into the Jesse Tribble YouTube channel and rather enjoyed this Supercut.
• Billie Eilish - Bad Guy - stupid.
• If Mario Can Do It... - I'll be real, I've been this kid
• The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored - I absolutely love this song but never watched the video until recently. I'm not sure I regret it but I certainly question my decisions.