Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 1867
December 25, 2017
The Best-Worst of Jessica Chobot 2017
Merry Christmas, everyone! While everyone here at Team Nerdist is sending you our very best wishes for this holiday season, we have to finish a Christmas tradition of our own before we can take the rest of the day off. Every year on December 25, we go through the discarded clips from the previous year of Nerdist News to bring you the funniest bloopers. That’s right, it’s the annual best-worst of Jessica Chobot on today’s Nerdist News!
And who better to host her own blooper reel than Jessica herself? But it just wouldn’t be a holiday episode without a visit from some kind of Christmas apparition that looks suspiciously like Jessica’s Bizarre States co-host Andrew Bowser. This year, Supercop Santa has Jessica on his digitized naughty list, but she’s got her own ideas about what is naughty and nice. Better watch out, Supercop Santa!
Now, get ready for flubs, dubs, cameos, and Jessica’s legendary F-bombs. So many F-bombs, like you can’t even imagine. We’d be here until new years if we shared all of Jessica’s F-bombs from 2017! It’s almost enough to send Jessica into some kind of Christmas purgatory. Along the way, we’ll revisit some of the biggest news stories of the year in the absolutely goofiest ways possible. We released over 200 episodes of Nerdist News this year, so a funny collection of bloopers was inevitable. We wouldn’t have it any other way, and now we can share the very best with you.
What was your favorite Jessica Chobot blooper from 2017? Let us know in the comment section below!
Look back at bloopers from years past!
The best-worst of Jessica Chobot in 2014.
The best-worst of Jessica Chobot in 2015.
The best-worst of Jessica Chobot in 2016.
Half Hour Happy Hour #168: Drunksmas Day 5
The ladies of Marvel’s Runaways drop by for a lively talk with Angel Parker and Virginia Gardner.
Follow @HalfHourHappyHr and hosts @alisonhaislip, @alexalbrecht on Twitter
December 24, 2017
Craftsman Creates a Rustic Version of A CHRISTMAS STORY’s Leg Lamp
If you’ve ever been to any sort of fan convention, you’ll know that gender-swapped cosplays are some of the most delightful things to see. The time, effort, and care put into changing attributes of characters is some serious next-level fandom that produces some truly badass results. But can it be just as cool with iconic weird furniture from classic movies? Absolutely.
Tis’ the season where the 1983 movie, A Christmas Story, is broadcast pretty much around the clock and, as such, we can’t help but think of the “major award” Ralphie’s dad receives in the film. The gaudy leg lamp that’s displayed in the family’s front window for all to see remains one of the more memorable moments from the film and is certainly the origin of most people pronouncing the word fragile as “Frah-GEE-lay.”
Crafstman Paul Jackman, of YouTube’s Jackman Works, set out to put a new spin on everyone’s favorite human appendage light fixture by making a leg lamp of his own using himself as the model. The process, like most creative/maker YouTube channels, is mesmerizing to watch as he cuts, glues, and carves a rustic, wooden version of his own gam.
Despite the silly subject matter, there’s actually a lot to learn from the video. After the basic form is cut and glued–stencils are used to rough out the shape with a Turboplane (which is now, incidentally, on this writer’s holiday wish list)–Jackman hollows out some of the weight and sets to work refining the shape. He then trades in some of the original’s fancier details of fishnets, tassels, and heels for a comfy sock, work boot, and a lampshade made from welded rebar.
What do you think of this version of the leg lamp? Would you display it proudly for the neighbors to see? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Image: Jackman Works
Bring on more holiday stories!
What makes A Christmas Story a classic holiday film.
5 geeky holiday cards.
Foo Fighters deliver a Christmas medley.
Insane STAR WARS Christmas Light Show Features Dubstep EDM ‘Imperial March’ Cover
At Christmastime some people throw up a few strings of lights on the front of their house and call it a day, while there are those who put a little bit more effort into making their holiday display stand out from the rest of their neighbors. However, there are a select few who go above and beyond any reasonable expectation to create memorable and unique light shows that leave us in awe. Then there’s Matt Johnson, who this year celebrated both Christmas and the release of The Last Jedi by putting together the most insane, most bonkers Star Wars Christmas display we’ve ever seen, because it’s set to an EDM dubstep cover of “Imperial March.”
Johnson, who was once a contestant on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, put together a show this year that they might be able to see in the galaxy far, far away. But what makes it truly remarkable is how it is all synchronized to a version of John Williams‘ iconic Imperial march that sounds like it should be playing at the hottest nightclub on Coruscant.
As much as we love and appreciate the greatest villain of all-time being the “star” on that tree, we’re going to need someone in the downtown San Antonio area at Dignowity Park to dress up like Darth Vader and go down to this house between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. when the display runs and bust out some dubstep moves, because that’s what we keep picturing when we watch this. And it’s the only way to make it even better than it already is. You still have time to do that too, because the show runs until New Year’s. Which also means every other Star Wars fan has about 11 months to try and come up with a way to top this one, if it’s even possible.
Where does this rank among your favorite Christmas light displays? Tell us in our comments below which one you found most impressive.
Image: Matt Johnson
Be dazzled by more Christmas lights!
Glowing D20 Christmas lights.
A Christmas tree lit by a Rube Goldberg machine.
See Disneyland undergo a holiday timelapse transformation.
Half Hour Happy Hour #167: Drunksmas Day 4
Always a great time chatting with now mom Angelique Cabral, there was a lot of talk about her husband’s balls. A Drunksmas Miracle!
Follow @HalfHourHappyHr and hosts @alisonhaislip, @alexalbrecht on Twitter
December 23, 2017
Surround Yourself with the Warmth of the Internet’s Best Yule Log Videos
We’re two days from Christmas, so we’re deep in the throes of the holiday season. Everywhere you look there are strings of lights, snowflake decorations, and festive music reminding you that the time to overeat and interact with family members isn’t entirely over yet. Should your appetite lead to napping in front of your loved ones, it’s best you do it in a way that expresses your inner nerd since you won’t be awake to geek out over things. Here are a few of our favorite yule log videos to sleep to this holiday season.
Don’t ask us how or why, but in 2013, we got our hands on a laser and did the only logical thing we could think of. For nearly an hour, we “pew-pew-pewed” (scientific term, trust us) as many holiday knick-knacks that we could find for your fireside pleasure.
Old Spice joined the yule log game this year with this combustible masterpiece featuring the absolutely lovable Terry Crews. It’s roughly a 20 minute loop of Old Spice’s brand of delightful nonsense that even includes Crews blasting into a different holiday.
There’s something about the Darth Vader funeral pyre yule log that works entirely too well. Sure, it’s a bit morbid to watch Anakin’s body go up in flames for hours on end, but we just enjoy it too darn much. Plus, we know he gets to be a Force ghost so we doubt he minds.
Staring into the Eye of Sauron for a few hours might suit those with more evil inclinations, but there is something soothing about this video. Sauron gets a bad rap, but he’s really the only villain who makes a point to really see you.
There’s no shortage of cute animal yule logs including more than five from feline internet sensation Lil’ Bub, but we’re glad pups are occasionally getting the spotlight. Uhh… firelight? Especially this one starring Frank the bulldog who is basically our post-meal spirit animal as he lazily naps through most of the video.
If you happen to nerd out over chemistry, then there’s nothing better than this video from AsapSCIENCE. They replaced the conventional flames to show off the chemical reactions taking place while a log burns. Things change a bit as the log burns away.
We saved the best for last with Nick Offerman‘s fireside sit-n-drink from My Tales of Whisky. We can’t think of a better holiday pastime than sitting in silence with Offerman for 45 minutes while sipping on Lagavulin Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
What’s your favorite holiday yule log video? Let’s discuss in the comments below!
Image: Nerdist
Stay festive with more stories about the holidays!
David Harbour in a Christmas sweater is the year’s best holiday meme.
Revisiting Rankin & Bass’ Christmas specials.
What makes Elf a Christmas classic?
Artist Turns Childhood Toys Into Amazing Post-Apocalyptic Nightmares
There’s no feeling in the world quite like the one a little kid experiences when they wake up on Christmas morning to find Santa Claus has fulfilled their dreams and left them a bevy of amazing toys. However, we’re pretty sure only the strangest children would be thrilled if they unwrapped their presents to find their playthings had been transformed into nightmarish post-apocalyptic pieces of art. That’s too bad, because these creations are way more fascinating than normal action figures.
— Y_NAKAJIMA (@y_nakajima_) October 2, 2016
Japanese artist Y. Nakajima has somehow managed to take the unhealthy obsession of Toy Story‘s Sid for ruining his sister’s toys by turning them into disturbed demonic figures and made them into haunting works of art. Because Thomas the Tank Engine might be fun for kids, but he’s a lot more visually interesting when it looks like he mated with the giant spider from Wild, Wild West.
That character might not work for children, but we would definitely watch that show.
Same for this guy traveling around the dystopian version of the Hundred Acre Woods.
そうだぞ pic.twitter.com/qYnca5nBeW
— Y_NAKAJIMA (@y_nakajima_) November 11, 2017
The best part of this twisted Winnie the Pooh figure might be Piglet dangling from his waist.
But these are just a couple of the amazing pieces in the collection. You can find the rest of Nakajima’s works here, although we would prefer if we could find them under our Christmas tree. We were very strange children and now we’re very strange adults.
Which beloved childhood toy of yours would you most want to see turned into an extra from Mad Max? Tell us in the comments section below.
Featured Image: Y. Nakajima
Play with more stories about toys!
McFarlane Toy’s creepy Demogorgon figure.
ThinkGeek’s very scary holiday teddy bear.
A LEGO Star Destroyer smashes into pieces.
STRANGER THINGS’ Chief Hopper in a Christmas Sweater is This Year’s Best Holiday Meme
It would be impossible to definitively say someone “won” the internet in 2017, but Stranger Things‘ David K. Harbour has certainly made a convincing case to have himself declared the winner. Because in addition to running a hilarious Twitter account–where he offered to sit for a high school student’s senior photos and called out an actual dictionary for making him the definition of the “dad bod”–he has started the best holiday meme of the year after sharing a festive photo of Chief Hopper.
To celebrate his Golden Globe nomination Harbour shared a picture of himself in his Chief Hopper costume, but with a little holiday flare. Because nothing says “Christmas” like an ugly sweater.
MIDNIGHT CLEAR Short Film Brings the Horror for a Deadly Christmas
The holiday season is here, and it’s time for some Christmas cheer! But Christmas may be the most deadly time of the year for the family featured in Midnight Clear, a new horror short by filmmaker Joe Russo. David, the father of this unnamed family, appears to have gone off the deep end, as his wife, Julie, can barely contain her terror and sorrow. Unfortunately for Julie, David is just so determined to make sure that this Christmas is perfect, and he won’t accept anything less for his beloved family.
Via Entertainment Weekly, Russo put together this short during post-production of Nightmare Cinema, an upcoming horror anthology movie that includes contributions from David Slade, Joe Dante, and Mick Garris. Russo directed Midnight Clear and co-wrote the script with John Jesensky. Jessica Morris played Julie and Kurt Kubicek portrayed David, while Caige Coulter and Kue Lawrence appeared as their onscreen children, Gracie and Spencer.
The most effective aspect of Midnight Clear is the way it fools the audience into thinking David plans to harm his family after spending one last Christmas with them. He certainly seems unhinged, and the children clearly pick up on Julie’s emotionally fraught state of mind. But once the real danger is revealed, David’s decision to keep the family gun out of their reach suddenly has a different connotation. This really is their last Christmas, but at least they get to spend it together.
What did you think about Midnight Clear? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comment section below!
Images: Joe Russo
Enjoy holiday cheer with these stories!
9 strange Christmas movies you should binge.
Forget Elf on a Shelf, try Lannister on a Bannister.
The Doctor Who Christmas specials, ranked.
Hot Toys Takes Command With THE LAST JEDI’s Leia Organa Figure
For the last four decades, Princess Leia action figures have taken their rightful place among the rest of the Star Wars merchandise. And while Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be Leia’s final appearance in the franchise, Carrie Fisher‘s iconic heroine will once again be preserved as a collectible figure. Hot Toys has unveiled its upcoming 1/6 Leia Organa figure from The Last Jedi, which doesn’t list her as either a general or a princess. Either way, she’ll always be royalty to us.
The Leia Organa figure features a meticulous recreation of Fisher’s likeness from the film, as well as the primary outfit she wore as the leader of the Resistance and a pretty sizable blaster. She may not fire her weapon often in the movie, but when she does fire, it’s with a purpose. Additionally, the Leia figure comes with interchangeable hands, a stand, jewelry, and the homing device that she kept to help a certain ally find the fleet without alerting the First Order.
This figure also comes with multiple points of articulation, which means that many of Leia’s poses from the movie can be recreated on your shelves. Leia can still strike an action pose, but her status as a leader also lends itself to a more cerebral approach.
You can find more pictures of Hot Toys’ Leia Organa figure in our gallery below. The expected release date for this item is in late 2018 or early 2019.
What do you think about the new Leia figure from Star Wars: The Last Jedi? Let us know in the comment section below.
Images: Hot Toys
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