A few years ago, they were just three guys with a video camera and
an internet connection. This week, they have Hot Rod, a comedy
being released nationwide—and a film that happened largely as a
result of their often hilarious digital shorts on Saturday Night
Live.
Formed in LA, the Lonely Island comedy group is three
dudes—Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone. In 2001,
the trio started making some clever short films and MP3s and uploading
them to the internet, including a spoof of The O.C. (The
‘Bu) and a rap song about book clubs and chamomile tea (“The
Heist”). Branching out, they created a pilot for a sketch comedy show,
Awesometown. Of course, since the pilot was great—weird
and absurd and new—it was immediately rejected by both FOX and
MTV. But word of the Lonely Island spread, bringing the dudes online
fans and the attention of SNL—and soon, Schaffer and
Taccone were SNL writers, Samberg was a cast member, and “Lazy
Sunday” hit.
The mega-popular faux hiphop video “Lazy Sunday”—created by
the Lonely Island guys and SNL‘s Chris Parnell—blew up
online, landed the Lonely Island dudes on the front page of the New
York Times‘ arts section, and introduced clueless TV execs to the
power of YouTube. Soon, the slew of pre-recorded “digital shorts” from
the Lonely Island guys (most of them even funnier than “Lazy Sunday”)
became the only reliably enjoyable part of SNL.
Which brings us to now, and to Hot Rod, directed by Schaffer
and starring Samberg and Taccone. Unless I’m gravely mistaken (which
happens a lot), it’s the first big film made by some guys who owe their
fame to the bored denizens of YouTube.
Nearly all of the SNL digital shorts are online at thelonelyisland.com, as is all the
Lonely Island’s previous stuff. A lot of it is piss-your-pants funny,
but there’s another reason to hit their site, too: Regardless of the
so-so SNL or Hot Rod (see review next page), it’s
fascinating—and, more importantly, hilarious—to see three
guys trying their damnedest to break into the almost impenetrable field
of comedy. The fact that somehow they managed to do just that is pretty
amazing.
