The Spoof.com has decided to take a radical approach in its effort to become one of the top humor destinations on the net by completely eliminating the funny from their extensive website.it wahs | from inside the mind of krix at December 11, 2003 09:15 AM ."We know that a lot of people like to surf the web at work and we thought that if we reduced the chance of a reader actually - you know - laughing at one of our articles, then we might start getting some of that traffic from dangerously funny sites like The Onion."
A prime example of The Spoof's new cutting-edge unfunny humor is the flaccid ''Keanu Reeves Named Greatest Ever'' by author Brendan Shumway. Brendan couldn't speak to us for fear it would jinx his upcoming interview with The Tracy Morgan Show, but we did get a few words out of his brother, Gordon:
"What Brendan does here is really raising the bar of the new unfunny humor trend. He takes what looks like a generic article heralding an actor's accomplishment and then plugs the name 'Keanu Reeves' in. Get it? The irony! Because of the old 'Keanu can't act' thing, right? But the genius of Brendan is that this particular schtick is so played that it can't possibly be funny! Nope! No chance of your cube-mate hearing you giggle here. And he doesn't muck it up with that over-effusiveness like Whatever-Dude, either. It's really typical dry sarcasm, but while some people make that funny, Brendan is able to keep that from happening."
When asked if the whole article wasn't really just a cheap shot, Gordon Shumway defended his brother by saying, "Cheap shot? Nah...it's not like he's making fun of someone's last name or anything."
That's the great thing about the web. People with no real talent can make their own websites and pretend they are something they're not.
Posted by: SeaSing on December 11, 2003 11:39 AMOn the other hand SeaSing, there are people with real talent, like Krix, that are around to help us wade through (and avoid) the bullshit. :)
Posted by: tyler on December 11, 2003 12:29 PMWhat's wrong with people? I'm really starting to question how we treat each other. Does this guy think that Keanu won't see it? Alleged humor at someone else's expense is never funny.
Posted by: MC at RD on December 11, 2003 12:43 PMThe thing about that so-called "Keanu can't act-shtick" is that nobody believes it anymore.
Posted by: Sunny on December 11, 2003 12:57 PMToo true, Tyler. After all, I don't read here everyday just because I like Mr. Reeves. Krix's commentaries are awesome - and often hysterical.
I'm with you, MC. What is wrong with people who mistake pure cruelty for humor? I have a twisted sense of humor. I often see humor in things no one else does. I think the anti-christ site, for instance, is a hoot because it's complicated and over the top, in the same way I like the Landover Baptist stuff.
But this stuff is just lame, as if they were taking lessons from the rejects of Saturday Night Live. And if you've seen SNL lately, you can imagine how bad that must be. Blech. On to better things.
Like tonight's Leno.
Posted by: SeaSing on December 11, 2003 01:15 PMWhy can't people like this B...S... just admit to being jealous of KR's talent/good looks/money/whatever else there is to be envious of? If they don't feel like acknowledging his success, why don't they just keep their cool and stop writing this pathetic nonsense?
It seems that this Brendan dude has a dictionary and possibly a thesaurus, or at least his brother does, and he could certainly put his mind to stringing together the written word in a more worthwhile manner.
Enough already. Shmendrik.
Posted by: Chianti on December 11, 2003 02:43 PMI don't see jealousy, all I see is creative laziness and weak, hackneyed humor on the level of Richard Gere gerbil jokes.
Plus, he pokes fun at fans and for that he gets a mocking.
No chance of anyone overhearing me laugh at this, but someone may hear me retch. I think maybe something else about the "creator" of this article is flaccid, too.
Posted by: Melissa on December 11, 2003 05:52 PMIn my very sheltered, cosseted existence, I’ve not had the pleasure of being acquainted with The Spoof.com or Mr. Shumway, although I do vaguely remember something about his cat-eating brother. I’d say this Shumway should definitely look into ascertaining a life.
How’s that for being able to use a thesaurus?..
No really, get a real life (or real job), Mr. Shumway. Leave the humor to the truly humorous.
Bravo krix - I like the retort.
Posted by: Keanuette on December 13, 2003 08:56 AMI am a writer for what seems to be your favourite site - The Spoof. It does seem that none of you have ever looked at any of the other stories available on the site.
To quote SeaSing on the second post, "People with no real talent can make their own websites and pretend they are something they're not." I think if you don't like our stories, then keep away - very few of them are "real".
I'll let you know that TheSpoof is developed by quite a lot of people. If you don't like what we're doing - fine, go somewhere else, if you do, then keep reading and we'll keep on writing stories.
We don't write for any gain, it is just an outlet for our creativity. This seems like something that some of you people seem not to understand.
The address is TheSpoof.com (or .co.uk), and that's exactly what it is, SPOOF.
Posted by: Dr Jones on December 15, 2003 11:15 AMWow. I hate being referred to as "you people".
Anyway, relax.
This isn't about any of the other stories on the site, and it's certainly not about you. It's about the "Keanu Reeves Named Greatest Ever" story that I refer to in the original post (which is the only thing I am answering for, commenters own their own words).
Regardless of whether or not one thinks that Keanu Reeves is talented or not, it's unimaginative and frankly, it just wasn't funny.
Which is why I used my website (my creative outlet) to compose my own spoof in reply.
I'm sure that if this article is NOT reflective of the standard of humor found at The Spoof, that our little Keanu klatch won't matter anyway.
Have a Happy Holiday!
Posted by: krix on December 15, 2003 12:47 PMI actually found the story to be humorous. I also find it interesting how fans react when someone spoofs their idol. Michael Jackson fans have really had their underwear pulled up their butts over most of the stories we've written. Oh sorry, forgot to mention that I, like Dr. Jones, have written a story or two for The Spoof.
Brendan is a good writer. I suggest reading some of his other stories before nailing him to a cross over his Keanu story. The mere fact that he has caused this bit of controversy with Keanu fans speaks highly of him as a spoof writer in my opinion.
Is Keanu the Greatest Actor ever? No. Do I like his acting ability and his movies? Yes and some. The real question we should all be asking ourselves... will he break the Superman jinx and be the next Reeves to star as Superman in a movie? Uh oh - I feel a Keanu story coming on...
Peace out!
JJ Jogolo
Posted by: JJ Jogolo on December 17, 2003 01:53 AMKeanu Reeves To Star In New Superman Film
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i1427
Don't forget to take the poll...
They did it again those talentless jerks!
http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s4i1453
Posted by: RealKeanuFan on December 22, 2003 01:57 PMRemember, this is a fan site.
Keanu Reeves is in no way connnected to this website.
Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.