Hotmail
|
Barbara Card Atkinson
Special to MSN Entertainment
Viral videos: yeah, yeah, we know. It's the realm of stupid pet tricks, jackass stunts and crazy kid antics. Today viral video is anybody's game, and the 2008 presidential election has become an online obsession. Look around and you'll see netizens from all over the country rallying behind their favorite candidates and using the power of the Web to make their voices heard. Catchy, moving, hilarious, absurd, surreal — pick your pleasure. We've pulled together our top 10 picks for you to watch. Which video wins your vote? Let your voice be heard below!
Will.i.am's spontaneous homage to Barack Obama has taken on a life of its own. The Black Eyed Peas front man set one of the presidential candidate's speeches to music and then enlisted the help of Hollywood A-listers to drive the message home. Love it or hate it, the popularity of the clip speaks to the power of the medium. And, sure, the video has gone on to launch countless parodies (see the "No You Can't" clip below), but then again, isn't imitation the highest form of flattery? Watch video
Exclusive video: Will.i.am on the making of 'Yes We Can'
Although this one lays it on a bit thick (sort of like a cross between your cousin's "American Idol" audition tape and "Baywatch"), it's a must-see. "Obama Girl" launched a new genre of viral videos that poke fun at politics and inspired spin-offs such as "Obama vs. Giuliani" and the ever-popular "Super Obama Girl." These political/entertainment hybrid shorts are popping up everywhere — some slickly produced and others cobbled together on a shoestring budget. When asked for comment by the Des Moines Register, Obama (who had no involvement in the video) said, "It's just one more example of the fertile imagination of the Internet. More stuff like this will be popping up all the time." He couldn't be more right. Watch video
"Hillary's Inner Tracy"
Our winner for
Savviest Video goes to this parody of the movie "Election." You know how Reese
Witherspoon seems spunky and driven and just a little too intense? Now imagine
her running the country. Not that Hillary Clinton is Tracy Flick — no, it's all
the other parallels here that sting. Hey, at least Hillary isn't showing up in
some video comparing herself to Tony Soprano. Oh, wait
... Watch video
John McCain: "No You Can't"
Of all the
"Yes We Can" clones, this one seems to have struck a chord, becoming one of the
most popular parodies of the bunch. It's the creative use of editing, however,
that takes center stage. Excerpts from a variety of McCain's speeches and public
appearances were sliced and diced — then stitched back together. This clip is a
classic example of what happens when negative spin goes viral. Watch video
"Chuck & Huck Campaign Ad"
How to
describe "Chuck & Huck?" One thing's for sure: This is no "Saturday Night
Live" skit but rather the genuine article — a political campaign ad that ran on
national TV. Mike Huckabee enlists the help of former action star and
infomercial king Chuck Norris to help spread the word. The odd pairing of
personalities and humorous tone made for great online viewing. Watch video
"Hott 4 Hill"
"American Idol" wannabe
Taryn Southern hitches her star to Hillary's campaign in this silly
self-promotional vehicle. Southern pulls out all the stops for her girl Hill,
spreading patriotic cheer as she dances her way through a montage of historic
monuments. Saccharine sweet Southern's cheeky attempt to "put a hot chick in the
office" is nothing more than a guilty pleasure. Watch video
"I Got a Crush ... On Hillary!"
Is
this kid even old enough to vote? This fresh-faced teen scored big with this
tongue-in-cheek response to the "Obama Girl" phenomenon, earning him spots on
the talk-show circuit and catapulting him into minor celebrity status. The
Teletubbies are a nice touch and, besides, where else can you see "Obama" and
"Hillary" battle it out, b-boy style? Watch video
"Vote Different"
"Vote Different,"
our winner for Best Mashup, made waves for being one of the first negative
political videos of the 2008 presidential campaign. A subtle take on the 1984
Apple ad, this one is kinda cool — although we have to admit the talking
Orwellian Hillary head is somewhat creepy. Watch video
"Mitt Romney Pranked by Son"
This one
hits high on the humorous scale. Ah, there's nothing like some good
old-fashioned family fun. Just watch as Mitt is sucked in, then baffled, by a
supposed call from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In reality, his son Matt is
playing recorded lines from "Kindergarten Cop" and the result is priceless. Watch video
"Kennedy's Spanish Serenade"
Wow.
Think loud, enthusiastic, acoustic karaoke bellowed by your possibly tone-deaf
uncle and you have an idea of the sheer spectacle created by Sen. Ted Kennedy at
an Obama rally. When Kennedy starts singing, "Ay Jalisco no te rajes (Don't Give
up on Me)," your thoughts immediately jump to "Oh, no he isn't!" or "Please make
it stop." This is one you have to see. Watch video
Sound off: Which is your favorite political viral video?
