And Now, Without Further Ado...

There are some things on the internet that can change your life forever. Some creations so powerful and moving, that the revolutionize the way you see the world wide web. Unfortunately, what I have for you, is not quite it. It is, however, my favorite video on the HomestarRunner website, and probably the entire internet. More specifically even is the introduction and following advertisement for his beautiful new computer that I find so hilarious. Without batting an eye, Strong Bad is able to insult both his viewers and the medium on which they are watching him.

First, is Strong Bad's satirical narration of his empty desk. His movie-trailer-like introduction pointedly pokes fun at the generic voice over for today's generic blockbuster: "In a world [where something bad exists...], one man [does something heroic]." Certainly, Strong Bad's purchase of a new computer is nothing heroic, but then again, is it to him? This is a rather egotistical hero who places great importance on his Q&A email site. Depending on one's values just about anything could be heroic. The only difference is Hollywood specifically targets conflicts that they know are of value to their audience, while Strong Bad satirically targets the opposite. That's what makes his narration so hilarious and thus what makes all satires funny, but it's not the movie-trailer he's making fun of. It's us; or perhaps, rather, our values which allow the real blockbuster-trailers to grab our attention that he's making fun of. By that idea then, satire is more pointed towards the audience of what it is satirizing than the actual subject being satirized. Make sense? Stay with me...

Next comes the climactic turning on of the brand new computer, Lappy486. He's so proud, he just has to show it off, and this baby's got everything: that is everything it needs to be one of the worst computers I've ever seen. I suppose this would work better for a slightly older generation, as I don't think I can even recall a time where the specs on Lappy486 were considered "high tech," but I do know the time existed (and I was probably even alive for it). We don't even realize it as we're watching it, but the reason it's so funny is because it's true. And "in a world" where technology is changing by the minute, even Strong Bad, who makes a life out of his computer, can fall behind. But what does he care about technology and the internet, he's just got to be funny.

Now don't get me wrong, the rest of the episode is funny, but I don't think it has anything to do with the initial satire, and therefore can be taken for what it is: your average superhero trying to figure out what kind of animal he'd like to be... Pretty standard.

You don't get those types of jokes from Strong Bad all that much, but clearly when you do, they're worth it. This is probably some of the best satire I'll be able to show until I bust out the Robot Chicken Star Wars videos on YouTube...