Why work when you have flashlights and a camera?

August 25, 2012 7:57 AM

It's 4:30AM on writing night, and SNL's Taran Killam really, really doesn't feel like hammering out another sketch. Time for some top-notch procrastination.

(The actual video for Robyn's "Call Your Girlfriend.")

posted by Narrative Priorities (39 comments total)

This looks a lot like some real procrastination that went on at my company yesterday, but to some weird Korean viral music video.
posted by jeffamaphone at 8:09 AM on August 25, 2012

A lot of people seem to be procrastinating Gangnam Style this summer.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 8:14 AM on August 25, 2012 [3 favorites]

He's spot on with the moves!
I saw her open up for Katy Perry (took my little sister, just to...clarify...) and she definitely rocked those 80's-influenced (or whatever they are) moves. Robyn was really good, too, by the way!
posted by foxhat10 at 8:27 AM on August 25, 2012

I don't know who these people are or why I just watched that, but I love the guy at about 3:10 who is just trying to get some work done, dammit.
posted by ghiacursed at 8:28 AM on August 25, 2012 [9 favorites]

I'm not familiar with the original video clip, but I love Taran and thought that was awesome.
posted by Defying Gravity at 8:31 AM on August 25, 2012

Also, Taran's Twitter userpic is freaking adorable!
posted by Defying Gravity at 8:34 AM on August 25, 2012

The two videos side by side makes it even more amazing
posted by cirhosis at 8:36 AM on August 25, 2012 [9 favorites]

Has this really never been posted to MeFi before? Wow, it was all over the internet last December.

BTW, he's apparently the front-runner to anchor Weekend Update next year now that Seth Myers is gone.
posted by mkultra at 8:41 AM on August 25, 2012

UGH I can't believe I didn't think to look for a side-by-side! Thanks for the link, cirhosis, I am now further amazed by what a sufficiently bored writers' room can accomplish.

I was also surprised it hadn't been posted here already! Personally, I saw it for the first time this morning, thus the weird before-noon-on-a-Saturday timing.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 8:47 AM on August 25, 2012

Maybe SNL would be funnier and have less personal problems with their personnel if they didn't have such a ridiculous schedule?
posted by gjc at 8:48 AM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

A lot of people seem to be procrastinating Gangnam Style this summer.

I watched this Gangnam Style video with jaw agape and then did something I'd not done in a long time, decided to read the comments. I'd completely forgotten I'd installed the herp derp youtube commentator. MOST APPROPRIATE USE OF HERP DERP EVER.
posted by mcstayinskool at 8:57 AM on August 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

Tina Fey would not have put up with this kind of jackassery.
posted by ColdChef at 8:58 AM on August 25, 2012 [7 favorites]

Also: this is awesome. More please.
posted by ColdChef at 8:58 AM on August 25, 2012

Wait is that the Electric Slide?
posted by carsonb at 9:02 AM on August 25, 2012

this is really impressive!
posted by sweetkid at 9:03 AM on August 25, 2012

My procrastination does not involve nearly so much preparation. You do not just happen to have that jacket lying around.
posted by RobotHero at 9:06 AM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

Pretty funny. I always love behind the scenes SNL. A few thoughts...

I've watched many of the newer episodes of SNL primarily because I think Vanessa Bayer of the hottest thing since hot came to hot town. (She is the one sitting on the couch).

Are we positive there wasn't any MDMA present during the filming of this?
posted by gagglezoomer at 9:06 AM on August 25, 2012

You do not just happen to have that jacket lying around.

I like the idea that they sent some poor assistant to go rummaging around through wardrobe to find it.
posted by Narrative Priorities at 9:08 AM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

of = as

shrug.
posted by gagglezoomer at 9:08 AM on August 25, 2012

A lot of people seem to be procrastinating Gangnam Style this summer.

Here's the English translation of the lyrics (plus some romanized-lyrics so you can sing along)
posted by KokuRyu at 9:09 AM on August 25, 2012

People listen to Robyn in the US? Who knew.
posted by grajohnt at 9:20 AM on August 25, 2012

Wait, Seth Meyers is gone? I missed that news.

I love the totally deadpan look on Bobby Moynahan's face while he's holding the flashlight.
posted by SisterHavana at 10:05 AM on August 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

Damnit Narrative Priorities why did you introduce me to Gagnam Style? I totally identify with Katy Perry's comment about having fallen down a Gagnam Style K-hole.
posted by cirhosis at 10:08 AM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

I really really love that the only thing you need to dance like Robyn is total commitment to whatever move you want to bust out next. An earnest backwards somersault is a cool backwards somersault.
posted by Thin Lizzy at 10:16 AM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

Is there an official Music Video Filming Warerhouse somewhere? Because I swear I've seen the place where the official video was shot in like three other videos.
posted by kyrademon at 10:25 AM on August 25, 2012

Related.

I can totally miss song meanings sometimes, so I really appreciated learning from that discussion that the song is a fantasy: boyfriend is going to keep seeing Robyn on the side, he's not going to tell his girlfriend anything. The comment that enlightened me.
posted by Xalf at 11:20 AM on August 25, 2012

Still my favorite "Call Your Girlfriend" joke... but this video had me laughing like a hyena at some points, which I desperately needed!
posted by bitter-girl.com at 11:27 AM on August 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

Taryn's top is better- it's the furry bobbling thingamabobbers that do it.
posted by variella at 12:06 PM on August 25, 2012

I believe the technical term is "balls."
posted by louche mustachio at 12:08 PM on August 25, 2012

That was fun. Robyn's dancing/appearance totally makes me think of a grandmother who's gone too hard on the champagne at a wedding.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 1:15 PM on August 25, 2012

Taran Killam is one of the best of the current SNL gang. He has the potential to be the star ofd the lot (and then will leave as they [almost] all do). Good to see tghe fabulous Vanessa Bayer there, too -- she is also superb.
posted by anothermug at 1:24 PM on August 25, 2012

I was most excited to see that CollegeHumor's Sarah Schneider is at SNL now. What little I found funny about CollegeHumor, usually came from her.
posted by billyfleetwood at 2:29 PM on August 25, 2012

Xalf - That's an interesting comment but is there anything in the lyrics that make it anything other than an interpretation?
posted by Bookhouse at 2:34 PM on August 25, 2012

anothermug: "Taran Killam is one of the best of the current SNL gang."

Yep. I suspect much of this season is going to hang on his talents as just an all-around good performer and team player.
posted by Apropos of Something at 4:09 PM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

Related (to the degree that she was sitting in the room and I think running one of the strobes): Disappointed to hear the very talented Abby Elliot chose to leave SNL. I figured this would be her breakout year now that Kristin Wiig was gone.
posted by The Gooch at 7:00 PM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

That song is so goddamned awesome.
posted by mintcake! at 8:11 PM on August 25, 2012 [1 favorite]

The side-by-side is definitely helpful

But my god that song and (the original) video are just god-awful. Sorry.
posted by ShutterBun at 8:41 PM on August 25, 2012

I'm probably the only person who hates that Robyn chick. Ugh.
posted by stormpooper at 5:50 AM on August 27, 2012

But my god that song and (the original) video are just god-awful. Sorry.

Nah, they're actually really awesome! See everyone has opinions.
posted by sweetkid at 6:53 AM on August 27, 2012 [1 favorite]