When humor and musical talent collide, there is a good chance someone from “Saturday Night Live” is involved.
This proves true today as SNL actor Andy Samberg and writers Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, also known as “The Dudes,” release their debut album Incredibad under the name The Lonely Island.
The members have been friends since the days of junior high in Sacramento, Calif., but the hilariously talented trio did not become The Lonely Island until 2001.
Now residing in New York City, the three friends are the masterminds behind the movie “Hot Rod” and SNL Digital Shorts.
The group also made three television pilots that were all shot down. Personally, I feel like their low-budget sketch Awesometown would have made Fox a more interesting TV station, but sadly it was one of the rejections.
Samberg might be the most well-known member of the group for his awkward disposition and over-the-top facial expressions that make his featured SNL skits side-splitting.
Not only does his comedic timing seal the deal for what makes his featured skits funny, but his appearances in SNL Digital Shorts have begun to pull the late night show’s foot out of the grave.
His humor introduced fans of SNL to the infamous “Dick in a Box” music video featuring Justin Timberlake.
And not to disappoint lovers of this song, “Dick in a Box” will be featured on Incredibad.
Behind the curtains of these outrageous productions, Schaffer and Taccone busily shovel jokes and scenarios to revive the lackluster humor that was previously SNL.
Concerning the other just-as-important member, Schaffer cracks the whip as the primary director of The Lonely Island.
His track record also includes directing four music videos for the indie rock group We Are Scientists, the Eagles of Death Metal’s “I Want You So Hard” and the movie “Hot Rod.”
Schaffer currently works as a writer-director for SNL and also co-creates SNL Digital Shorts. Working closely with him is Taccone, also a writer for the show.
The only non-Jewish member of The Lonely Island, Taccone acted in “Hot Rod” and also as a model for the World Series of Poker. He assisted in writing and also laid down the beats for “Lazy Sunday,” the SNL Digital Short featuring Chris Parnell.
Without the brains of these three, SNL would not be in its present comedic rebound.
When the amigos are not writing or acting for NBC, they act like normal friends making videos of skits they think are funny enough to post online. And they hit the nail on the head with the idea.
Their official Web site Thelonelyisland.com features the trio’s music videos and short flicks.
One of the hit videos, “Jizz in My Pants” describes the embarrassing jump-the-gun dysfunction of the comedy troupe. Even though the basis for the song is one of distaste and vulgarity, its rhythm shows the group has actual composition talent along with a sense of humor.
One of my favorite flicks on the group’s Web site is “White Power.” Unlike what it sounds, the short film is about the guys’ addictions to teeth whiteners and the negative effects the addictions have on their friends and social lives. Boiled down, they simply compare whitening strips to heroine.
With creating lollygags and Keifer Sutherland sightings under control, The Lonely Island had time to focus on distributing its gift to those in need of laughs. This is where Incredibad takes its appropriate position.
“The Dudes” previously used the album’s title as their name for releasing songs including the song “Please, Incredibad, Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” a reference to an MC Hammer song.
A few of the collaborators on the album include T-Pain, Norah Jones, Jack Black, E-40, Julian Casablancas of the Strokes, Sly & Robbie, DJ Nu-Mark, J-Zone, Natalie Portman and of course, Justin Timberlake.
This might just be a last-minute Valentine’s gift for your significant other.