This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Daily Blarrrgh: YouTube Kicks Off Sketchies Contest

Andy Samberg has to be one of the luckiest guys alive. Look at that goofball. Between trysting with starlets like Natalie Portman and Kirsten Dunst, his day job includes making shorts like "Lazy Sunday" at Saturday Night Live. And it all started with video sketches Samberg and his Lonely Island cohorts posted on the Web. (The other two guys got writing gigs on SNL.) So it’s fitting that Samberg is helping kick off YouTube Sketchies, a nine-week comedy video competition that begins today.
The three-stage competition involves creating funny videos then having them judged by "entertainment industry professionals" and YouTube users. The contest is sponsored by Sierra Mist (owned by PepsiCo), so the winners will receive "a brand assignment and a production budget" to create a funny, soda-themed short that will be featured on the company's site. Also you get some free tickets to Andy Samberg's next movie.
Submissions for Round 1 are being accepted until May 31. Entries must be original videos that are shorter than 3 minutes, and you have to be a legal U.S. residents to enter.
-
Donald Trump was a fading TV presence when the WGA strike put a dent in network schedules.
-
Pickets are being held outside at movie and TV studios across the city
-
For some critics, this feels less like a momentous departure and more like a footnote.
-
Disneyland's famous "Fantasmic!" show came to a sudden end when its 45-foot animatronic dragon — Maleficent — burst into flames.
-
Leads Ali Wong and Steven Yeun issue a joint statement along with show creator Lee Sung Jin.
-
Every two years, Desert X presents site-specific outdoor installations throughout the Coachella Valley. Two Los Angeles artists have new work on display.