While real TV in the US struggles over how much of a cut traditional, professional content writers ought to get from online and new media revenue – the venerable TVGuide announced today the winners of its inaugural Online Video Awards. The funniest video online according to the judges there? SNL’s Dick in a Box. Originally aired in December 2006, the video is apparently believed to be funnier than any of the countless shorts posted online over the last 11 months. It is very funny.
The awards were based on 1.75 million votes, and the judgment of TVGuide editors. Awards were given in 18 categories, from Funniest Web Video (D.in a B.) to Best Original Web Drama Series (“Sanctuary“). The full list is available in the press release and the videos can be viewed through a pageload-heavy viewer on the TVGuide site. TVGuide uses the full text of the name Dick in a Box throughout the site and press release, but serves up a censored version of the actual video itself.
How is Old Media Adjusting?
There doesn’t appear to be a wide variety of sources from which nominees were selected. The vast majority of the nominees come from big, traditional media or other major establishment players online. The headline winners were all mainstream TV hits already. That isn’t without exception, and perhaps I’m just bitter about the fact that CBS’s Clark and Michael beat out the creative genius of Chad Vader. So far, at least, I haven’t found Clark and Michael funny at all.
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FunnyOrDie.com, Will Ferrel’s site backed by GooTube investors Sequoia Capital, was named the best comedy site. Most people I’ve talked to say that entire site has been a vastly overpriced, one-hit wonder.
Online video reporter Liz Gannes puts it more plainly when she writes that “thereÄôs not a little guy in sight.” Gannes points out the more independent minded online video awards at the forthcoming Winnies.
It would be reactionary, of course, to say that all made-for-TV TV is bad TV and TV made for the web is good TV. There are plenty of quality cross-overs, but the TVGuide awards seem to overstate the case and be short on discovery of new content in the new medium.
Truth be told, there’s a whole world of new online video sources and pundits out there. TVGuide has a huge brand and is obviously driving some traffic online already – but I’ll take Digg video and Stumble Upon Video instead any day.
TVGuide, you’re going to have to do better than this.
