Powerloafing
 

Dear BUTM:

I am a former Mr. Show writer. I once wrote a sketch known as "Blow Up The Moon," for Mr. Show about NASA scientists endeavoring to destroy Earth's natural satellite with explosives.

I'm now addressing the important and influential online community known as Blow Up The Moon with utmost urgency about a new project called Powerloafing:

http://powerloafing.com/

It will eventually become an international phenomenon, but I wanted the BUTM community to know about it first. The project involves some Mr. Show folks, as well as other familiar faces, and we will be rolling out new material in the coming months.

Please inspect the site, and if it meets your comedic standards, I urge you to pass it along to fellow BUTM members, and the civilian public. Thank you for your time.

Mike Upchurch

Grandfather of BUTM

thank you oh wise creator

i can die now.

I can't belive you are actually speakin to us, the people of BUTM, but i just thought i'd be a dick for the day:
The moon orbits around the sun, as recent studies have shown.

Other than that powerloafing seems to be one hell of an idea.

I was hoping the link led to a site with a picture of three old men engaging in sexual activity.

I love my lemonparty!

EDIT: I'm getting HTML in lieu of episodes?

...
 

This was up on the Brian Posehn forum months ago. So I knew about it first, cause I'm the shit.

Re: Powerloafing
 

DUDE YOU LINK TO US ON YOUR SITE!

that's fucking awesome.

but nothing happens when i press "play movie". i am using firefox in case you care.

Re: Re: Powerloafing
 

Maybe it's because we're smart and use firefox.

Firefox (and Opera)
 

I love Firefox because it has the best user interface of any browser. Unfortunately, Firefox (and also Opera) sometimes has problems displaying graphics intensive sites, including Powerloafing. This causes me untold sorrow.

Try Explorer, Netscape or Safari. I'm working on fixing the problem. I hope this helps.

mike

Mike, what was it like writing for Mr. Show?

What do you think of Bob and David as writers/performers/producers?

What was your favorite idea/sketch that you wrote/didn't write?

What's it like doing whatever you're doing right now?

Why does Paul Greenberg write for Blue Collar TV?

Thanks.

[quote]Originally posted by scotch-romanian

Mike, what was it like writing for Mr. Show?

If you were reading a magazine with your feet up and the boss walked in, you weren't in trouble. Hanging around with your co-workers cracking jokes was not grounds for termination. Sometimes your boss would give notes dressed as a Beatle, or in priests garb, or in gay biker leather. Other than that it was like any other job.

What do you think of Bob and David as writers/performers/producers?

Both have done admirable post Mr. Show work. Two totally random gut-laughs: David doing a promo bit with an exercise ball where the ball pops, and Bob as a retarded guy in a Channel 101 bit. I spit milk on both of those, (I drink milk while I watch comedy to gage its effectiveness.) I think both Bob and David have their best work ahead of them. They probably have a lot of their worst work ahead of them also, but they'll be working, which is important to their financial dependants.

What was your favorite idea/sketch that you wrote/didn't write?

That I wrote: It begins with a "B."

That I didn't write: (no particular order) Drugachusettes, Story of Everest, Civil War Reenactors, Mustardayonnaise, New KKK, Pre-taped Call in Show, Taint, Monster Mash Philouza, Coupon the Movie, Change for a Dollar. That?s all I can think of, but I'm sure there are more.

What's it like doing whatever you're doing right now?

I'm an apartment dweller in North Hollywood. I have fake florescent lights stuck to my ceiling, and half a cubicle in my living room. I spent a recent stretch of unemployment working on my own projects, which has been really cool. Luckily, I still have 1.3 million dollars of Mr. Show money in the bank, but as soon as that runs out, (about a month,) I'll have to get a job of some kind.

Why does Paul Greenberg write for Blue Collar TV?

Thank you for asking a Powerloafing related question, Scotch. A 4 to 1 ratio is not too shabby in these parts I would imagine. Paul Greenberg, the star of Powerloafing, worked on the first season of Blue Collar as a writer. Besides being a hilarious comedic actor, he's also a great sketch writer. He makes a comfortable living playing Carl in Powerloafing, but he loves to dabble in sketch writing occasionally, so he worked a season with Blue Collar for fun.

I hope I've fully answered your questions. Feel free to fill out an employee feedback form so that we may better serve you in the future.

Mike

I have another question: I noticed you don't link to aspecialthing.com on your page. Actually this isn't really a question, but fuck those guys.

Mike -

Sorry if it seemed like I was just throwing those questions out there, but I really am interested, and your answering them was actually the highlight of my shitty Spring Break.

I'm going to check out the Powerloafing site in more detail some time in the following week and then get back to you.

Thanks again.

p.s. I always thought CptPlanet was the grandfather of BUTM, but I realize now that it was you all along.

Tis I JuanBallsac.

Hey Mikey(can I call you Mikey?)

Any-hoo. Why does George Lopez have a career?

If he decides to start a band do you think it would be funny if he called it the Acne Scars?

Did you have anything to do with Dream of a Lifetime? If so I bow to thee. If not, I still tip my large cowboy hat in protective plastic to you.

What are the odds of you noting my script? 94 pages.

Why would he consider writing for that show fun?

also, what are odds of you noting this post? 18 words. now 22.

LARRY: Paul, is that dang ol' sketch done yet?

PAUL: Not yet, Sir.

LARRY: Well, GET ER DONE!

PAUL: Yes, Sir.

Funny, because I think David actually spits milk out in that commercial if memory serves me right.

By the way, everyone: Jay Johston, Jerry Minor, and Brian Posehn are all featured in these Powerloafing videos. Just letting yall know.

After consulting a 4th grade physics teacher, I stand by the wording of my original post.

Yeah, up theirs! I will probably post over there whenever this thread peters out or descends into inane chatter. But, still fuck em! Fuck them hard!

Only my mother calls me Mikey, and she's dead. Thanks for bringing down the mood of this thread, shitheel.

Because he can fill a 20,000 seat arena in any major city in the country. You ask easy questions.

That's too hypothetical to answer, but the idea of it doesn't make me laugh, nor does the idea of the idea of it.

I was drunk that day, maybe an adverb or two, many of the best adverbs were mine. I don't care what you're wearing.
Sure, no problem: I love it. I'm going to switch to all caps briefly just to make my point: BLOCKBUSTER. Now I'm going to use quotes for another point - you my friend have "it." I'm getting another call...

I want to work where you work, cause it must be a Fun Factory.

Funny and true.

That's right, and also Carlos Alazraqui, Eddie Pepitone, Blaine Capatch, Matt Weinhold, Jakie Kashian and all kinds of other funny folks. And, we have upcoming guests that could induce heart palpitations in some BUTM members, but I can't reveal them just yet. We just shot an episode a month ago with Carlos, who plays Officer Garcia on Reno 911. BTW: Powerloafing has absolutely no corporate affiliation, and it's probably not even legal.

I guarantee the members of the BUTM community that once they experience Powerloafing the sky will become bluer, the birds will sing like they have never sung before, and their lives will enter a new state of true joy and wonderment.

mike

I enjoyed the videos, so there you go. Where are you hoping this Powerloafing idea will lead, if I might ask?

Oh, and when you depart for aspecialthing, please don't tell them what a bunch of retards we are. I would say only 1/3 of the people here fall into that catagory.

Hey Mike, here's two non questions, bullet style.

• That ketchup skit was the first thing I ever saw on the Chris Rock show. And it fueled the fire for about 3 weeks of terrible inside jokes among me and my friends. That’s three weeks I’ll never get back.
• Here’s a sketch idea I’ve been saving for a very long time, and I now present it for you. Pandas. Maybe something about how they don’t like to fuck each other, I don’t know… that part doesn’t matter.

Tis I JuanBallsac.

Did you guys read that shit? Upchurch said my script was a blockbuster!!

Man that was easy. Anyone want to do lunch at the Ivy?

Dear Mr. Mikey "My mom is dead and I'm a suck" Uppity:

Thanks for all the info! Your site is great. Keep the good comedy coming please. Forever.

Also:

Any chance of a BIG Mr. Show-esque reunion ever?

What ever happened with the "talks/rumors' of a sketch-movie?

Thanks for reading.

P.S. Sorry to hear about your mom.

I like this show, and I think it will grow on me even more to the point where I will like it even more.


I got a question for you Mr. Upchurch, I'm considering doing a masters paper on sketch comedy when I'm done my degree. Can I look at your paper to see if it's something that would be worth tackling? or if I should ignore that idea and move on to other dreams that can let me put the real world off for a bit.

You guys sure are asking a lot for Mr. Up.

Now, here's an opinion you can trust. Pali speaks from the heart. Not trying to tell anybody else what to think, or trying to show you how hip he is by using words like "satire" or "juxtaposition." Pali watched the Powerloafing videos, and they provided enjoyment, there you go.
Agent Punt, who is one tough customer, has seen Powerloafing and says it's "great," and further, wants the show to keep going on forever. If a discerning individual like Agent thinks something is decent, then it's great, and Agent thinks Powerloafing is great, so we're talking about a whole new category of entertainment satisfaction.
Is there a consensus forming here or what? Terris likes the show, and is confident that with each new show the liking will increase until it overtakes his body like a flesh eating fungus.


Let's have a big round of applause for the members of BUTM. First, the folks who have viewed this tread, which just blew past 400 views. And, how about Scotch who actually tracked down the preview site - that dude is on top of shit, and Creamy Center who was way ahead of the curve two days ago when he said powerloafing was a "hell of an idea," and that crazy nut TomWopat what's a thread without his crazy comments, and tjamick a guy who's watched by three government agencies because of his avatar, and that posting maniac CaptPlanet you pikers will never catch him, and how about JuanBallsac I like his next screenplay even more, and I totally forgive him about the mom comment - dinner at the Ivy on Juan everybody he can afford it, and Terris who's always the first to spot a good thread, and Pali who sticks up for BUTM for being 2/3rds not retarded, and Soma that guys got a Panda bit that will make you laugh until your testicles shrink to the size of a Panda's, and ME!!!, not me but the BUTM member who goes by ME!!! who's a spitting image of David Foley - that dude has been a fan of Powerloafing so long he's the first to be tired of it. Altogether: Hooray for the internet!

mike

P.S.: I missed some questions. Grandpa's too drunk now, maybe tomorrow.

Mike when my dad gets really drunk and tries to let us kids know what he really thinks about us, but disguises his feelings as good-natured ribbing, he sounds exactly like your last post.

I guess what I'm saying is that you re-opened wounds that I thought had healed long ago.

He was also kinda being a dick.

Regardless, I still have some questions about this Powerloafing thing. What's your involvement with the project? How did it originate? And, my previous unanswered question, where is the idea headed?

I use four exclamation points to avoid this problem. Wise up Mr.IwroteforMr.show.:mad:

P.S. If I suck your cock, can I meet Bob Odenkirk :(

irony free zone
 

This is the first thread I've started in any online community, and I'm not hip to the ways yet. So much sarcasm gets tossed around here that my previous post may have been taken as pure snark. My speaking voice sounds more like Clark Kent than Dennis Miller. Maybe I have to start using smilies.

When I consider how harsh some of the other threads in BUTM are this one seems pretty tame, but I'd hate to see this thread dissolve into a flameout, so, I'll try to be less jokey, and I ask the sensitive folks not to be such bleeding weeping sissies. (Kidding, only kidding.)

I also have a couple questions I still haven't answered.

Peace and Love

PS: You're not mad at me are you, Juan? You gotta know I'm kidding. Punt, c'mon you guys me flipped harsh, I flipped back. Ain't that the way it works here? Scotch, terris, soma, somebody jump in and say something positive.

Well Mr. Upchurch. I'd like to ask if you have any questions for us. We'd be happy to answer them.

If not, please stick around. I haven't gotten a chance to view these powerloafing videos yet (dialup) and I would love the chance to ask you a few questions. It's just that I got this whole thing going on right now, with ladies, and I'm going to have to save the questions for a later time.

Mike -

What happened to the episode with Blaine Capatch?* I think it got taken off or something. I was looking for it because I wanted to hear that line again: "Carl, I just saw him in the hallway..." -I also can't watch the Efficiency X-pert because it uses some other type of Realplayer that I don't have? Other than that, everything in the episode-watching department is fine.

And if you're going to begin answering questions, start with Pali's - those are some answers I would like to hear too if possible.

Thanks.


p.s. Oh, and I would jump in in your defense, but I don't know what the conflict is about and it doesn't matter anyway because you wrote for Mr. Show and so you don't have to explain yourself if you don't want to.


*who also wrote for Blue Collar TV I just found out (but I was a huge fan of "Beet the Geeks", so I'll let it slide).

We just want to do more episodes at this point, because we're all having fun. We've taken a blood oath to do 30 episodes, no matter what. The seeming limitations of the premise are somehow freeing, and we have a lot of funny stuff planned.

If we gain a wide audience we'll hijack the IFilm business model, and stream movie trailers in our episodes. That alone would pay for the cost of the whole project many times over. If we did make money from it, we'd probably end up doing at least 100 episodes. Not for greed, but we'd just be able to make more time for it. Episodes 100 to 300, that would be pure greed.

mike

Yeah right Charlie you couldn't get your cock touched if you plated it in gold and got a Fendi emblem stitched into it. (PM me some tits dude ;))

Yeah smilies that'll work. :rolleyes: Why don't you just turn our comedy message board into a gay dating site. :justkiddingmikeupchurch!:

I finally swallowed my dorkpride and played them in IE, and yeah they made laugh till my tumor hemmorhaged but that's not the point. Efficiency X-pert crashed IE when I tried to play it. Any chance of you guys maybe re-encoding it or something? I know scotch also mentioned he was having trouble playing it. Thanks.

Thanks for the response Upskii. There seems to be videos available in the sneak preview section that aren't on the main Powerloafing page.

Also, I suppose BUTM does have a tendency to pounce on people who come here solely trying to sell us their comedic stylings.

I stand by my 1/3 comment.

Re: irony free zone
 

you guys me flipped harsh...is definitely the way it works.


But seriously:

What ever happened with the "talks/rumors' of a Mr. Show sketch-movie?

and have you ever seen Craig T. Nelson do stand-up?

Okay, thanks. Forget about that missing Blaine Capatch episode - Pali has found it.

Mike, what Mr. Show set props do you have in your house and would you be willing to give them away? (All of my questions have already been asked.)

Thank you Pali for the most substantial questions so far. I was going to answer last night, but I did a pep rally instead (Note to self: drunk pep rally results in unintended sarcasm.) I'll answer as much as I can tonight in the next hour.

I first pitched the idea of Powerloafing in the Summer of 2000 to Pop.com. We shot 6 episodes, but Pop ended up a giant fiasco and never launched. I spent a year trying to get copyrights and raw footage of performances by Brian, Jay, and Ron Lynch. I finally got the project back by slamming a credit card to pay back my fees, ($6,000) to Dreamworks Legal.

After searching forever for an office set to shoot in, I ended up recreating the set in my living room by sticking fake florescent lights on my ceiling and putting mirrors on the top two feet of the walls. It actually looks more convincing than the old set, which actually was an office. I am never in a million years getting my deposit back with all the shit I've done to the walls, not to mention the fake blood on the carpet.

Originally, there was another actor playing Carl, but he moved to Seattle, so in May of 2003 we recut the Pop.com footage with Paul Greenberg as Carl, and continued shooting. We've completed 13 episodes so far. I also did three versions of the Powerloafing homepage, two utterly horrible ones, and this current one which is getting there, but isn't quite there yet.

I've squandered my meager personal fortune, and a whole bunch of time on the project, but I believe in it and it's fun. Consider this a beta version. We hope to get some backing, and then we'll be encoded for all players and have a site that works with Opera and Firefox.

m

I don't see why not, there was a Pootie Tang reunion at Aspen and it had barely come out on DVD yet. I guess that was kind of the joke though.

I'd like to start a completely unfounded rumour right now: There will definitely be a Mr. Show reunion in April of 2008 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. (NOTE: I made that up.) I just talked to Bob, and he says they are having a $700 dollar a plate Bald Eagle Barbecue. (true, but unrelated)

B & D wrote a sketch movie script called "Hooray for America" that was really funny, maybe that is where the "talks/rumors" came from. I think it's stalled in development. Damn Hollywood.

m

That episode has been a problem for some reason. I'll look into it over the weekend.

m

Mike you guys link to Jonah Ray's site. Are you guys just fans or do you have any sort of working relationship with him? He's funny.

Mike, if you come up with other sketch ideas that don't involve carl, do you plan on filming them and putting them up on a different section of the site?
you have the cast and equipment, so if you don't plan on doing that, you should now.

another thing: Do you mind if i steal powerloafing, change the name to Powerlounging, give all the characters funny accents, drag each episode out to 30 minutes and put it on tv?


LOVE TJ