After taking a few weeks off—YouTube needed to replenish its amateur-hour archives—we're back with another collection of would-be pop idols forever trapped on the stairway to stardom (the archive's here). And if you've got some public-access tips, don't be a tease-a-Louise! Send 'em along to tips@idolator.com.
We'll be honest: We really thought the seemingly bottomless supply of YouTube-archived public access shows was about to run out. But this week, we entered such search terms as "oversized pants," "white rap" and "persian gulf war," and yet another goldmine of absurdity was unearthed (we also had help from some tipsters, and for that we thank them—we think). After the click-through, just enough homegrown looniness to get you through the weekend. And for those of you just catching up, the archives are open 24-7.
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It's been a while since we lasted rounded up the finest in community programming; we blame YouTube's lack of recent gonzo acquisitions. But even though it took us some time, we've once again assembled some of the most amazing off-key warblings, buffonish balladry, and amateur puppeterring on the web. After the click-though, more evidence that late-night television peaked in the '80s and '90s.
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Another week, another overview of the best low-budget music videos on YouTube. Many thanks to the tipsters who have been alerting us to the rare gems featured after the click-through; if it weren't for you guys, we wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting the likes of Marko Nadsworth and BJ The Messenger.
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Now that YouTube has been sucked up by Google, who knows what will happen to its vast treasure trove of public-access gems? We're hoping the big new bosses don't try to assume control over the numerous locally produced oddities on the site, but then again, we're old enough to remember what happened when Wayne and Garth sold out to Rob Lowe.
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Ye asked, and now ye shall receive: After last week's somewhat-heralded round-up of some of the best music videos to ever make it to the public-access airwaves, we gladly (and humbly) unveil the sequel. After the click-through, please join us for a delightful rogue's gallery of wannabe rappers, rockers and Robert Palmers.
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Long ago, before the Internet and YouTube came along, you actually had to work to prove how untalented you were. Becoming famous was much more difficult back then, and there were but a handful of venues in which amateur musicians—people who insisted they were going to make it big, much to their friends' and families' chagrin—could strut their stuff. If they were really lucky, maybe they could get a few minutes at an open-mic night; but for most of them, the only way to follow their ill-advised dreams was by appearing on their local public-access television station. Anyone could get a show, it seemed, and all you needed was a clunky microphone, a cameraman, and a 4 a.m. time-slot to be able to watch yourself on television.
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