Information, Escape and Sarcasm in Small Doses

After cutting the cable at our house, (the satellite in our case) and with nothing else to do during a global pandemic, I spent more time than I’d like to admit exploring the vast world of streaming options quite literally at our fingertips. And while I like to stay informed and learn new things, life has been so heavy and serious as of late. I want to enjoy a little lighthearted escape now and then. I’m sure you do as well. That’s why I’m here to talk about the rise of my new love; the docu-reality comedy genre and its cousin, the pop-culture short form video.

I came across a few gems with some common themes I’d like to share.

Who else is a fan of the Internet Historian, a.k.a. Dr. Harold? I personally find immense value in his documentary-style YouTube short form videos. One episode in particular, one of his longest with a run time of almost forty-seven minutes, takes the cake for me; The Cost of Concordia, which of course is a play on words, referencing the Italian cruise ship, Costa Concordia.

On January 13, 2012, the Costa Concordia cruise ship struck a rock in the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the shore of a small island, subsequently causing its demise. The tragedy sparked great controversy when the world learned the Concordia’s captain, Francesco Schettino abandoned his own ship, leaving those left behind to fend for themselves. He was later charged with causing a maritime accident, abandoning his ship, and manslaughter.

Now, how can such a travesty be told in a way that makes you laugh out loud? Leave it to Dr. Harold. By no means does he seem to applaud the dirty dealings of others. Quite the contrary. He exposes the truth, but does so with his own brand of panache. The Internet Historian presents real stories with such snark and deadpan humor, the audience can’t help but feel his indifference. And by combining ridiculous stock photos, backgrounds, and animations with his rich New Zealand baritone narration, this creator has given life to a unique and winning combination of fun but factual entertainment.

Not only did I learn about the events of that tragic day, but also about some of the essential inner workings of a massive cruise ship, and a bit about maritime etiquette and laws. Laughter was an unexpected but premium side effect.

This kind of detached reality programming, one where I can feel entertained, albeit slightly shocked or disturbed, all while keeping things light and with a strange sense of connection…yes, please, sign me up.

If you’re on board (pun intended) with this style of entertainment, I’ve got a few suggestions to add to your watchlist.

First, if you haven’t heard of Nathan Fielder, do yourself a favor and change that. Nathan Fielder is the co-creator and host of Nathan For You, a docu-reality comedy series. Unlike the Internet Historian, Nathan For You is shot entirely with real people, no animation or stock images. But similar to Dr. Harold, Nathan Fielder is a king of snark and deadpan. He could have written the book on mastering the poker face.

The premise of Nathan For You is that of a young businessman seeking to help turn around struggling small businesses by identifying their short-comings and then setting them up for success with unorthodox strategies; some being so elaborate and preposterous, they border on embarrassing and anxiety-producing discomfort. All the while, Nathan Fielder, playing an off-kilter version of himself, doesn’t flinch. He never breaks character, even in the most outrageous, awkward or tasteless moments. And in true stride with this style of sarcasm and parody, I find myself laughing out loud time and time again. This is the kind of ball-busting humor that forces a rewind in order to catch all the goodies. And the bonus prize? I’ve also learned a thing or two from this show. Even though these teachings may have come through the ripple effect of what not to do in business and in life, nonetheless, some worthy lessons have been learned.

Another show for those of us who appreciate a fun way to learn new things is The Corridor Crew on YouTube. This show focuses on the world of visual effects in tv and film. The hosts and creators, nothing short of brilliant and just plain cool professional visual effects artists, entertain their audience with the same sort of casual detachment and ease I’ve come to love.

In each episode The Corridor Crew guys review the best and worst visual effects in the industry. They take something incredibly complicated and with their breezy, fun demeanors and thorough explanations, make it feel completely accessible and friendly to me, the layperson. These guys love what they do, and it comes across loud and clear. With the perfect blend of proficiency, sarcasm, love of their field and just the right amount of irreverence, The Corridor Crew is a binge worthy watch.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t make one last honorable mention. Less of a show per say, and more of a short form collection of video snippets, its name, Daily Dose of Internet, says it all.

With over eleven million subscribers, this YouTube creator, host, and narrator, Jason Gryniewicz compiles and uploads videos of viral, interesting, and thought-provoking content, that average three minutes in length. He, along with some of the aforementioned company above, is killing it with his deadpan delivery. Within mere moments, this monotone narrator hands out a startling array of fascinating, funny, awkward, disgusting, informative, adorable, and nerve-wracking content void of any emotion or attachment. And once again, through laughter, gasps, and even disbelief, I find myself being entertained in a whole new way.

One of the common threads running between these pop-culture, docu-reality style programs feels like something new… a new way to watch television, a new way to learn, and ultimately, a new way to be entertained. These creators are on to something. They’ve got my vote. And if you’re like me and appreciate a shot of sarcasm and dry humor with your informational entertainment and diversions, these shows will have your vote as well.