FunnyOrDie, bored with the Web, goes HBO

HBO is buying 10 half-hours of original comedy from FunnyOrDie.com, the website that brought the world "The Landlord" and also ... also ... wait, let me just Google around for a second ... hold on one second ... HERE!  It also brought the world "Porn Star Politics." 

I threw a dis on FOD last year because they hadn't come up with that many good new videos, and I have to agree with myself.  Although to play devil's advocate, there's really no one anywhere who's been able to produce funny Web videos consistently. 

On the other hand, if you have the likes of Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay lending their names to the site, you'd think they've be able to come up with at least one good viral viral video every month. And the fact that they haven't speaks volumes about how much energy they put into this endeavor, other than as a promotional vehicle for their movies. The thing about FunnyOrDie that initially got everyone so excited was the promise of high quality Web content from Hollywood's funniest people. That just hasn't materialized. 

Now they're moving even further away from that idea, back in time toward traditional TV and its stuffy old formulas. As smart as these guys looked when they launched, the whole thing has come to resemble a glorified publicity effort. 

Funny or die? I've made my decision.

image: Ferrell, Apatow & McKay from funnyordie.com

Comments

[Corsic]

"On the other hand, if you have the likes of Judd Apatow, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay lending their names to the site, you'd think they've be able to come up with at least one good viral viral video every month."

Yes, I would think they've be able to. I've been think they've be able to long time.

[David Sarno]

Corsic -- you got me. And now I have to leave it that way so your joke works.