memes

The Nerdy White Rapper Who Launched Two Internet Sensations in 24 Hours

Matt Cherette · 12/01/11 06:03AM

Melanin-deficient battle rapper Mac Lethal's pancake-focused cover of Chris Brown's "Look At Me Now"—which he recorded while making pancakes—has garnered nearly half a million views since being uploaded to YouTube about 24 hours ago. Why? Because as you'll see above, it's amazing. But also: because it hit the top of Reddit's front page shortly after appearing online Wednesday morning, immediately taking its place in the Viral Video Hall of Fame and giving its creator some of the Internet's best temporary bragging rights.

New Mexico Attorney General Warns Against the Molesty Charms of Pedobear

Seth Abramovitch · 11/29/11 01:39AM

Pedobear! You know him as the internet superstar who brings joy to millions as a cuddly harbinger of child predation. But not everyone finds the concept of a pervy virtual Easter Bunny to be utterly delightful. In 2010, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department issued a warning claiming that Pedobear had been "adopted as a mascot" by pedophiles. (It was a perfectly logical assumption, seeing as how child molesters have long sought a highly recognizable cartoon symbol to align themselves with, that they might be more readily identified amidst the general population.) Now, the New Mexico Attorney General's Office has made it a top priority to alert parents to the furry, lollipop-wielding menace in our midst.

Black Friday Plugged with Rebecca Black's 'Friday'

Seth Abramovitch · 11/20/11 11:17PM

Who's excited for the most trample-riffic day of the shopping year? Not me. But if ever there was a match made in marketing heaven, it's Black Friday and Rebecca Black's brain-corroding earworm of a viral hit, "Friday." It's the meme that won't die, on the day that won't end (for America's retail employees, that is). Hit it, Kohl's! [via Adrants]

The 'Chocolate Rain' Guy Sings About Our Screwy Economy

Lauri Apple · 11/14/11 05:56AM

You might remember Tay Zonday as the bespectacled, baritone-voiced young man behind "Chocolate Rain"—the repetitive YouTube song-meme that, at first, intrigued you with its sincerity and yellow-tinted charm until it wouldn't stop popping into your head and nearly driving you insane. He's got a new song! It's an anthem for the 99 percent.

Old People on Facebook Discover Memes

Adrian Chen · 11/04/11 02:36PM

Facebook users have been puzzled by a disturbance in their feeds. Strange pictures with bold, funny phrases superimposed over them? It's happened: Old people on Facebook have finally discovered the image macro.

Anti-Racist Halloween Ad Spawns Funny Meme

Adrian Chen · 10/25/11 11:27AM

So, there are these posters with the well-meaning (and surprisingly necessary!) goal of getting college kids to think about whether their Sexy Asian Doll Costume is racist. The poster campaign went viral, and now they have been memeified in humorous fashion. (One of the originals is on the left.)

Shameless Meme-Baiting Music Video Becomes a Meme

Adrian Chen · 10/14/11 01:38PM

It used to be impossible to predict what videos would go viral. But as "Facebook Official" proves, all you need now is a huge budget and a bunch of cliches about Facebook.

Play With a Cat Over the Internet

Seth Abramovitch · 10/06/11 11:56PM

Cats and the internet: They go together like peanut butter and jelly. But until now, we could only enjoy online cats in the most passive of ways. No more! Thanks to the iPet Companion, you can control robotic cat toys at humane shelters around the country with the click of a computerized mouse! You can even move the camera around. It's really fun!

One Brave McDonald's Manager Says 'No!' to Coning

Richard Lawson · 09/15/11 12:00PM

Remember coning? It's the dopey web video stunt made popular this summer in which people at the McDonald's drive-thru grab their ice cream cone by the ice cream instead of the cone, making a mess and confusing everyone, and then they drive away laughing. Hilarious! Well, no more, says one New Jersey McDonald's manager.