To make up for not posting all week, this edition of Frideo is quite special. The full-length video below is almost certainly the greatest thing ever put on VHS. I am, of course, referring to "Mr. T's Be Somebody...Or Be Somebody's Fool".

Mr. T is an interesting man. He has no talent to speak of. Despite having some screen presence, he certainly can't act. He can't rap. He can't dance. As you'll see from this video, he can barely speak coherently. And yet, there's something lovable about him. His (emphasis on) simple sincerity is hard to criticize.

"Mr. T's Be Somebody...Or Be Somebody's Fool", shot in 1984, is motivational video for kids. Split into about a dozen different lessons it includes all the wisdom a child might need to "be somebody". There are stories, skits, a few rap singles (written by Ice-T!), there's breakdancing, gags... a veritable cornucopia of delights! With lines like "Hey, you! You with the teeth!", and "Have you ever been embarrassed, ashamed, or exposed? I mean, done something so absoludicrous that you wished you could have moved to a deserted island?", you won't want to miss a minute. My personal favorite lessons are "Roots", "Recouping", "Friendship", "Mr. T's Tale",...let's face it, it's all pure gold. Enjoy!

Frideo. This is the first installment of what I hope will be a weekly feature of this blog. I spend a good bit of time each week browsing YouTube, Google Video, and other such sites (it's a great way to procrastinate), and now you can share in the wealth I've uncovered. I may post music videos, like "Song of the Week" over at Boerishbwoy, or just something I thought was funny, or perhaps something from the world of cinema, classic scenes or trailers for movies I'd recommend. Basically whatever strikes my fancy is fair game.

Because this is the first installment of Frideo, I've decided to go for a double feature. The following two videos are, I think, quite clever. They are impromptu musicals arranged by Prangstrüp, the first in a university library and the second in a lecture. Enjoy!

Due to some computer problems and an upcoming vacation I'll be neglecting this blog for a bit. In my absence, "The Hoff" himself will keep you entertained with his hit song "Jump in My Car."

Watch out Bono! There's a new kid in town.