Crazytown

2016 WAS RUTHLESS TO TV

Too many great shows were canceled this year, America. Too. Many. 
By Brandon Rizzuto

I’ll be honest people. In terms of TV, 2016 has been rough. I can’t catch up with Game of Thrones on time and every time I turn on the news someone I know from TV is dead. You would think with this rough year, the universe would just let 2016 have a break. Yeah, some bad stuff happened in 2016, but at least you still have your favorite show, right? Wrong. So many shows were just canceled. Like so many.  Did you get into a new show this year and found that nobody at work was talking about it even though you really enjoyed it? Yeah, odds are it’s canceled now. As I’ve showed in a previous article here at Crazytown, I will defend a wrongfully canceled TV show till the end. Sometimes networks are just straight up wrong with their cancellations. Here are some shows that 2016 took away too soon.

(Me this year)

Togetherness

 

Togetherness was taken away from us in the middle of airing it’s second (and now final) season on HBO. Creators Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, and Steve Zissis (the later two also served as stars for the series), tweeted the news of the cancellation, writing that Togetherness was a “niche show about sensitive people and the sensitive feelings that they feel sensitively.” It was a quiet show that dealt with marital and career struggles as well as the general struggles of being a fuck up. Plus Peter Gallagher (mother fucking Sandy Cohen) had a supporting role in it. For me, anything that keeps former The O.C. stars working deserves to be renewed just out of respect.

(I want to believe you Sandy, but TV has done it to you twice now. Both times equally wrong.)

FIVE WAYS TO JUMPSTART YOUR CREATIVITY

Simple life hacks to get your through your creative block.
By Brandon Rizzuto

As a writer, I spend most of my time trying to come up with new ideas. Ideally this creative process would start with me sitting at my desk followed by instrumental music that builds into a crescendo when inspiration strikes. Days will become nights. Months will fly off the calendar with flipbook speed. Crumpled up pieces of paper will be tossed over my shoulder and into an overstuffed trash bin. And in the end I will emerge with sunken eyes and 300 pages of pure literary genius.

Unfortunately though, the creative experience often halts at the sight of a blinking cursor on a blank Word document. Writer’s block will cripple my fingers until I give up with no pages of literary genius and 300 pounds of frustration and undefined creativity that can’t find it’s voice.

However, if there’s one thing the internet is good for, it’s life hacks and thankfully not all life hacks revolve around different ways to use binder clips. Some are actually beneficial to jumpstart your creativity and move through whatever creative block you’re going through.

TV STARS ON AN EVEN SMALLER SCREEN

The past work of your favorite TV faces online, before they were on TV.
By Brandon Rizzuto

Crazytown, I know most of you are creative people. Creative people that dream of their big break. Maybe it happens because of your one-person show, maybe because someone important was in the audience watching your improv group, hell maybe you’re just good at hustling and you somehow got someone to give you a shot. Whatever is your method, I’m sure at one point you thought “If I can just have a video go viral on YouTube, then I’m set.” These days producing your own work and putting it online is one of the best strategies to get your voice out there and if it works, then you’ll be in good company. Below are a few famous people (and cartoons) that produced and starred in their own work for all of the internet (and Sundance) to see.

Aubrey Plaza as Sarah Silverman

Before she was known for her role in Parks and Recreation, Aubrey Plaza was just another comedian at UCB. This video is her preparing her spot-on Sarah Silverman impression for a SNL audition, which she later put on YouTube.

 

 

The Duplass Brothers’ This Is John

Nowadays, The Duplass Brothers are indie mumblecore film Gods. Most recently they created (and Mark Duplass starred in) the wrongfully canceled Togetherness on HBO while Jay Duplass can be seen acting in Amazon’s Transparent. Their careers in Hollywood started when their short film This Is John was accepted into the Sundance Film Festival. It now lives on your phone and computer– all thanks to YouTube. 

 

 

 

DUE ON MONDAY: WATCH GAME OF THRONES

Why Game of Thrones is more like homework and less like your favorite show.
By Brandon Rizzuto

All right, people. Let’s get this out of the way. I love me some Game Of Thrones. I really do. I mean… do I count the days till it comes back on? No, not particularly. Do I know what’s happening all the time? Depends on the story line. Do I read the books? Please. Do I know all the character’s names? Don’t even front. You don’t either.

(For real. This guy’s cool and all, but what’s his name again?)

 

HOPEFULLY GOD HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR

The funniest bits of blasphemy this side of the faith.
By Brandon Rizzuto

If we are made in God’s image, I have to assume that God is just like any other regular guy (or girl). It’s the reason why I don’t go to Church. I mean, how would you like it if every day people came into your house really early in the morning, singing and chanting, eating your food, drinking your wine, asking you for things, saying they’ll change if you give it to them (which you know they won’t), and to top it all off, once they leave another group comes right in! He doesn’t even get Sunday off—that’s supposed to be his day of rest! Do you want people over your house on your one day off? I didn’t think so. When does God unwind? I hope He unwinds watching comedies, like I do. And if He does watch comedies, I hope He is able to laugh at the deliciously blasphemous ones below—one that takes all that He holds seriously, and turns them on it’s head. And, quick disclaimer, if you think God can’t laugh at blasphemy, just think about it for a second. If you’re one of those people that can’t laugh at themselves, people call you stuck-up, right? Are you saying God’s stuck up? That’s messed up, man. He made you. Show some respect.

CAN'T I CANCEL PLANS JUST THIS ONCE?

Weighing the balance between staying in and FOMO.
By Brandon Rizzuto

You know that moment when you’re laying down, you got your favorite show on, you’re wearing that pajama shirt that you haven’t washed in weeks, maybe you’re even in a Snuggie, and then you remember: Shit, I’m supposed to hang out with Kevin today. Fucking Kevin. I mean, sure you like Kevin. He’s your best friend. He’s been with you through some hard times, but it’s equally harder to get up from the couch right now. And then you gotta put on pants? Are you kidding me?

Staying home is a beautiful thing, and leaving your house to embrace the outside world and friendship is just… a lot of work. You’re just so relaxed right now! At this point, Kevin is just imposing on your happiness. So who’s really the bad guy here? You start staring at your phone, weighing the options. Will Kevin be mad if you cancel just this once? Is the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) really that strong? Didn’t he cancel plans last month, when you actually wanted to go out? You looked fresh as hell that night. How dare he do that?

(You last month.)

If only there was a way to say “Hey, man. I don’t feel like going out anymore,” without sounding like an asshole. If only it was socially acceptable to say “Yeah, I know I’m always saying we should go bowling, but that was before I was 3 hours in to this Brooklyn 99 binge. Also, it was before my couch got this nice me-shaped groove in it. I worked hard on this.” Why should we feel bad about that?

Mostly because it’s mean to the other person. You’re lucky if it just disappoints them, but on a deeper psychological level, you can be making them feel lonely, unwanted, foolish, etc, all things you do not want to make your friends feel. And this is all if you just canceled this one time. If you’re known for being a flake then don’t be surprised when you stop getting invited to things. “Should we invite Harry? Nah, never mind, he won’t come anyway. He never does.” Yeah, that’s right, Harry. I’m calling you out. Jerk.

But you’re not Harry. You’re you! You’re always going out! Can’t you stay home just this once? What’s the worst that can happen? Let’s do a pros and cons list real quick:

PROS:

1. It’s still kind of early, you have at least an hour left where it will be just enough notice to cancel in a socially acceptable way.
2. If your plans were a group-hang, there’s still enough people going that the night won’t be ruined by you not showing up. (However, see Con #2.)
3. Work was so stressful this week. You need some Me Time.
4. Have you watched the news lately? The outside world is insanely dangerous. Kevin isn’t cool enough to risk your life.
5. The place you’re supposed to go to tonight is never as fun as you expect it to be. (See Con #5.)
6. It’s cold/hot out and you don’t fit into your weather appropriate clothes anymore because you gained a bunch of weight by always going drinking/eating with your needy ass friends.
7. In the words of Eric Forman:

CONS:

1. If you cancel now, who knows if you’ll be invited out next time? You don’t want to set a precedent for flaking.
2. Everyone’s going to have fun without you.
3. Everyone’s going to have fun without you and say “Wow, why do we even hang out with (your name here)?”
4. You’re young, you should be going out having adventures!
5. What if tonight’s the night that place is fun?
6. If you cancel is Kevin just going to hang out with Jake instead? You hate Jake. Doesn’t Jake know Kevin’s only allowed to have one best friend? Who does he think he is?
7. Did I mention everyone’s going to have fun without you?

If you notice, the Pros and Cons are tied. And they’ll always be tied. Canceling or not canceling plans is just a tug of war between you and FOMO. And if I learned anything in life it’s that FOMO will always win. Yeah, you’re going to feel great after you cancel, but FOMO will still rear its’ ugly head once you open social media. FOMO thrives on social media. After you send that cancel text and you’re elbow deep in a big bag of Cheetos, you’ll find yourself watching people’s Snapchat Stories and go “What the hell am I doing with my life? I should be going out and having fun! I should be writing a play! I should be donating to charity! I don’t even like Cheetos that much!”

(All because you canceled on Kevin.)

Some people are blessed with an immunity to FOMO. They’re called old people. There’s nothing an old person wants to do more than stay home. Older people understand that canceling on your friend once doesn’t mean that the friendship is over. They all understand that life is rough and sometimes you just got to stay in, and not go out and be social. Please. That will flair up their agita .

But if you’re like me and haven’t yet grown into your FOMO immunity just relax. For the most part, one cancellation won’t break a friendship. If you’re not up to going out, cancel! Live your life to the fullest by living life to the dullest! A true friendship never dies, but your favorite TV show will eventually. Kevin will understand. Go on. Send that text out right now. I’ll be waiting. ...Are you back yet? Did you cancel? How did that feel?

There we go. Just sit back and watch some TV. And hey, if your FOMO is too strong, you can always text Kevin again. “Hey man, turns out my Grandma didn’t die. False alarm. We’re all really happy, let’s go out! What do you mean you’re already made plans with Jake? Cancel them! I’m your best friend!”

 

BRANDON RIZZUTO is a writer and sometimes Post Coordinator for TV shows. If he’s canceled plans with you in the past, just know he didn’t do it carelessly. He’s at least made a pros & cons list and had a heart-to-heart with his Mom about it first. He just really needed his Me Time. You understand.
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LET'S DO AN EASTER EGG HUNT!

Easter eggs in TV, movies, and books we all should have found already.
By Brandon Rizzuto

Alright, folks. I know what you’re thinking. It’s April 1^st. Easter is over. Why are you doing an Easter egg article now, Brandon? Don’t you plan ahead? Didn’t you think it would be better to do this the Friday before Easter, not after it? Well, no. I didn’t. Leave me alone. Besides. Remember Easter egg hunts back when you were a little kid? Maybe your mom hid a few eggs in your backyard and, even though you thought you found all of them, three months later you found a rotten egg in your bushes. You did, didn’t you? See. We all make Easter related mistakes. Hell, maybe your mom used those plastic Easter eggs and months later, you found the broken egg halves in the dirt. Those aren’t biodegradable. Forgetting to find them was probably bad for the environment. Makes my little scheduling error here seem not that important, doesn’t it? Jackass. But, I digress. Just like those colorful eggs that you found months after Easter, I present to you some Easter eggs in movies, TV, and books that you should have found years ago.  

CLONE HIGH

I’ve talked about Clone High here before and I will continue to revel in it’s brilliance. Clone High was all about Easter eggs, most of them being undiscoverable until you were able to watch frame by frame on DVD. If you clicked through each frame on your DVD player (remember those?) you would find subliminal messages spliced into the show. This would include nude frames of the characters (with the words “Nice Try” replacing Joan of Arc’s nipples) and the frame below featuring Clone High’s principle, Dr. Cinnamon J. Scudworth.

BITMOJI IS RUINING LANGUAGE AS WE KNOW IT

Bitmojis will be the death of written communication… but it’s so fun.
By Brandon Rizzuto

Most mornings, I send my girlfriend a good morning text. Why? ‘Cause I’m cute as hell? ‘Cause Tumblr posts tell me that all a girl wants is a guy that sends good morning texts? ‘Cause I legitimately want her to have a good morning? Wrong, wrong, and wrong. I do it because I just discovered Bitmojis and I know she hates them. And what’s a good boyfriend supposed to do if not annoy his girlfriend?

For the unfamiliar, Bitmojis are cartoon avatars that you customize to look like you. And once you do that, Bitmoji takes your avatar and puts it into a vast assortment of cartoon responses that range from the practical:

 

To the strange:

Bitmojis have a different appeal than regular emojis. When somebody first sends you a Bitmoji, you think they’re dumb. Sort of funny, but dumb. And then you decide to get your feet wet and download the app. Bitmoji asks you to make your avatar and that’s when you fall down and get buried under the rabbit hole. Your Bitmoji is you, so you make damn sure it looks like you, making sure it has the exact right haircut, the right clothes, the right accessories—you’ll be wishing you wore more accessories so you can continue customizing. Then you see all of the actual responses they have. It’s so extensive! Why send a normal thumbs up emoji when you can send this:

(I Yas Queen. You Yas Queen. We all Yas Queen.)

CUT FLAKED SOME SLACK

A positive review of Netlfix’s new series Flaked.
By Brandon Rizzuto

A quick Google search Netflix’s newest original series, Flaked, look grim. Some reviews dismiss it as another “not-really-a-comedy” comedy about another sad white guy. Which, in a sense, is a fair assessment.

However, I’m not holding that against Flaked. Created by Will Arnett (who plays main character, Chip) and Mark Chappell, the 8 episode series is marketed as a comedy. When we meet Chip, he’s standing at the podium in his AA meeting, talking about how he came to Venice, Los Angeles after driving drunk and killing a man—you know, the stuff that’s comedy is made of! The audience watches Chip sleep with his best friend’s crushes and keep track of all the lies he tells people to keep his persona of the sober unofficial mayor of Venice intact. Again, these are the kind of plots that have been the staples of comedy for years, haven’t they?

 

Okay, enough sarcasm. Once you realize that Flaked is more of a drama than a comedy, it becomes enjoyable. While Arnett has made a career of being a likeably unlikeable, funny, selfish guy (and horse-guy), whether or not Chip is likeable really depends on how far your love of Will Arnett will raise your threshold for selfishness. However, the characters aren’t really what keeps you watching. Some shows you watch because you love the characters, but others you watch for the plot. Flaked’s tune-in factor is all in it’s plot twists within plot twists. And if you’re like me and love a delicious twist, (MINOR SPOILER COMING UP) you’re going to want to watch how season 2 solves the last episodes’ cliffhanger.

THE FUNNIES SECTION STILL EXISTS

Just because newspapers are dying out, doesn’t mean comic strips are.
By Brandon Rizzuto

When you were a kid, did you used to take the comics section out of your parent’s newspaper? The ten minutes it took to read that day’s Baby Blues, Zits, Peanuts, and The Boondocks strips were as much of a staple for me as Saturday morning cartoons. However, it’s 2016 now. Who reads newspapers? Screw that noise. Now I get my dose of the “funnies” through the internet, mostly Tumblr. I encourage you to waste some time at work and check out these comics. Hell, go all the way back and even check out their earlier strips. Why? Because your boss has never made you laugh, right? Exactly. Antidisestablishmentarianism. With comics.

The Awkward Yeti

 The Awkward Yeti is a comic encompassing a few different strips, created by cartoonist Nick Seluk, The two main series include The Awkward Yeti, relaying to readers the everyday awkward life of Lars the yeti, and a spin off strip entitled Heart and Brain. Many strips, including Heart and Brain, personify Lars’s organs and how they interact with other organs and Lars himself. While Heart and Brain is probably the most popular series of strips, I’m particularly fond of Lars’s gall bladder – a baby organ just trying to help.