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look out youtube
FunnyOrDie.com takes real comedy to the web
by kellie abrahamson    kabrahamson1@aol.com

      You may have already heard about Will Ferrell’s latest project, and no, I’m not referring to his figure skating tour de force Blades of Glory. The former SNL funny man’s latest acting gig is in an internet-only short called “The Landlord,” available at FunnyOrDie.com. In it, Ferrell plays a deadbeat tenant getting berated by his demanding landlord Pearl, an adorable little toddler with a mouth like a sailor and a serious drinking problem. The hilarious 2-minute short is just one of nearly 1500 videos available on FunnyOrDie.com, a site founded by Ferrell and his production partner Adam McKay (who is Pearl’s real-life dad).

      At FunnyOrDie.com users can upload their comedy videos, allowing viewers from all over the world to take a look. But, FunnyOrDie differs from sites like YouTube by allowing people to vote on the clips. Those that are deemed funny live on for all eternity with “Immortal” status, while those that fail to bring the laughs “die” and languish in the dreaded “crypt.” The site, which launched less than a month ago, has a special “featured” section where videos from big names like Brooke Shields and Oscar De La Hoya have already surfaced. The founders have also said that they will be regularly scouring the site in search of new talent.

      What makes this brand new site so great is that you don’t have to sift through a bunch of crappy videos made by bored preteens to get to the good stuff. Many of the shorts on FunnyOrDie are decently produced sketches by people who seem to know how to work a camera and definitely know what gets laughs. It certainly isn’t devoid of stupidity, but if I were looking for something to brighten my day, I’d choose this start up over YouTube hands down.

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