So… uh… that happened. Yes, I had the… “pleasure”… of attending the 2nd Annual Streamy awards. Or as some have called it, “The Streamy Sophomore Slump.” In case you haven’t read the blogs or seen the videos or even the official apologies, the awards show that highlighted web content was definitely plagued with technical issues, self-deprecating humor, vulgar jokes, bad comedy, even streakers. So now you’re expecting a Black Nerd Bash on the event…WRONG!

Just because the Streamys had a rough night doesn’t mean some good things didn’t happen, too. And I’m a glass is half full kind of guy. Even if that glass can’t work a DVD player or allows ShayCarl to grope LisaNova (you know assualt’s a crime, right?) Anyway, here’s my list of the good stuff. 11 good stuffs at that. Why 11? Cause I like PRIME NUMBERS! IT’S A PRIME LIST!

1. The Fine Bros. Video (Well, What We Saw of It)

The Fine Bros. are known for making funny videos, especially LOST parodies with toys. And after last year’s successful video about how to get a Streamy nomination, it makes sense to have them at it again. Now as many of you aware of the awards show know, this was the first video to feel the wrath of the possibly Wal-Mart brand DVD malfunction. So we weren’t able to watch the whole video at the show. But you can online.

This has to be included on the list, because as of this point, the show was going… okay. Pretty much this break, and the streakers that followed, was the pinnacle moment in starting “Operation: Show Goes Downhill.”

2. Felicia Day’s Acceptance Speech

In a show of crass, Felicia Day showed class. The creator and star of The Guild, who won the Streamy for Best Actress in a Comedy Web Series, had an amazing speech with a triple punch of awesomeness. She thanked her crew who helped make everything possible, including Best Director of a Comedy Web Series winner @SeanBecker (AWESOME PUNCH 1).

She talked about how having to do multiple jobs on a web series shows you how crucial and important everyone’s part is toward a production, not just actors (AWESOME PUNCH 2).

And then she gave the sweetest shout-out to all the girl geeks that it’s okay to be just who you are. Plus encouraged people who can’t find their “dream role” in movies and TV to come to the web where you can make your dream role happen (AWESOME PUNCH 3! TKO! NEXT ROUND: KING HIPPO).

Felicia Day is so awesomepants (as opposed to David Faustino who hugged her with no pants). She should have her own day. But I wonder if they’d call it Felicia Day or Felicia Day Day?

3. Chris Hardwick’s Nerdist Rant

So the Chris Hardwick / Lisa Nova presentation seemed like a disaster at first. Host Paul Scheer had no official intro and a hacky bit was starting after the presenters were completely molested by two actual YouTubers (which was NOT planned).

But then, Hardwick turns the ship around hardcore by getting on a mic and just yelling what everyone was thinking. Now seeing as he had a mic, I still have no idea if something was originally planned and what Hardwick made his own. But no matter, it was perfection.

It’s funny, me and Rob Welkner (@pennyman) were actually saying how Chris Hardwick would be a great host for this thing. After all, he is @Nerdist! So I assumed he wouldn’t be there. But after seeing him there, and definitely seeing this, I thought… WHY THE FUDGE IS HE NOT HOSTING THIS THING? No offense to Paul Scheer of course… wellllll, maybe a little offense…

4. Auto-Tune the News… Period.

Where do I begin with the auto-awesomeness of Auto-Tune the News? First, they aired an awesome video mixing auto-tune and sound clips from various Streamy nominee videos (PUT ONLINE PLZ!) Then they performed one of their videos live. And to top it off, they sang an acapella acceptance speech for Best News or Political Web Series. It was so beautiful, it may start the resurgence of the barbershop quartet.

Plus, I had the pleasure of meeting The Gregory Brothers and Sarah and they were super sweet and nice and stuff. Jay-Z, when you declare the Death of Auto-Tune, can you leave Auto-Tune the News alone? Without them, YouTube would be on very thin ice… very thin ice… very thin ice…

5. Kevin Pollak Lashes Out at Web Series Guest Stars

Kevin Pollak is a freakin’ funny dude, and it showed even more with his presentation for the Best Guest Star in a Web Series. He ranted about how showing up for one day to guest in a web series is nothing compared to the effort of making the web series. Then he challenged the so-called “guest stars” to make their own darn web show! It perfectly balanced truth with tongue-in-cheek. And he gave one of the best jokes of the night, that asking a celebrity to guest star in your web series is “the new jury duty.” By the way, be sure to check out his new web series, Vamped Out.

6. Drama on the Web Gets Lots of Love

I met Bernie Su (@BernNotice) about a year ago at a TubeFilter/New Media Vault mixer, and he mentioned that he was working on a drama series for the web. Even at that time, it wasn’t common as most people turn to comedy. But he said he really wanted to do it. That series was Compulsions, and not only did he do it, he got a Streamy Award for Best Writing in a Drama Web Series because of it. Huge congratulations to a wonderful guy.

Since “comedy” in general was failhouse that night (not the nominees mind you, the bits surrounding them), I felt the dramatic series got even more of a spotlight on them. If for anything, showing us people who are obivously passionate and proud of the time they took to keep web viewers captive with real drama (you know, the kind that doesn’t involve a 3-year-old crying over Justin Bieber).

Oh, and can someone give The Bannen Way a broom. Because… wait for it… they… wait for it again… SWEPT the competition! Boo-yah! Now THAT’S comedy!

7. “Why is Patrick Duffy here?”

Best quote of the night. Speaking of which…

8. My 90′s TV Show Dreams Come True

The fact that I saw… in person… Tatyana Ali of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Elisa Donovan from Clueless, and the Urkman himself JALEEL WHITE in the same room, is enough to forgive every technical glitch and flapping man-part I saw for the entire evening.

9. Epic Win for Epic Fu

Let me just say this to get it out of my system: I. LOVE. ZADI. DIAZ. Like want to take a sample of her DNA and create a clone army love. Seriously though, I had the absolute pleasure of having a talk with her about new media, the ups and downs, people of color on the web, etc. She’s incredibly awesome, incredibly sweet, and I’m so happy that she won the Streamy Award for Best Web Series Host for Epic Fu.

I also appreciated her kind speech, probably forgotten by many since it was the first one of the long evening. It highlighted a big issue facing the Internet: Net Neutrality. Especially since the courts currently showed being against it by favoring ComCa… I mean Kabletown. With a K.

But again, love Zadi. I think Jaleel White said it best on his Twitter, “She like the Halle Berry of this madness for real.” Again, did I mention FREAKIN’ JALEEL WHITE WAS THERE???

I also want to give a shout-out for Michael Buckley, a.k.a. “What the Buck?”, who was also nominated for this award. I watch him constantly and he was the other person I was hoping to win this award. And here’s to hoping he gets more nominations next year, cause he’s a great talent and a true web wonder.

10. Shane Dawson Wins Best Vlogger

Congratulations, dude! Well deserved. Shane Dawson is consistent, dedicated, funny and your hair has magical powers. Now let’s just hope Zach Galifianakis doesn’t start videoblogging or you’re screwed next year. Remember everyone, CELEBRITIES ARE BETTER PEOPLE (#sarcasm). Just kidding. And Shane brings me to my final highlight…

11. Seeing the New Media World in One Place

You know how awesome it is when TV shows do crossover episodes? The Streamys were like a new media version of Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue. So many amazing YouTubers, web series hosts, and new media creators in one place to meet, mingle, network, fan worship, befriend, love… and possibly steal some DNA from to create a clone army.

DaveDays. Tay Zonday. What the Buck. Katie’s Opinion. Alphacat. Craig Frank. Robin and Sandeep from The Guild. Al Thompson. Kevin Pereira. RadNerd. Rob and Hailey of Coin-Op TV. And that’s just an inkling.

Guys and girls of the web, we know the show wasn’t it bestest. But let’s not let that overshadow what we’ve done here. We are creators and pioneers (no jokes) cementing our places in the future of entertainment. It’s a beautiful and powerful tool to not only be so creative on our own, but to have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with others doing the same.

This type of collaboration, creative freedom, open expression and business venture is something you can’t find anywhere, definitely not traditional media means. We saw ways that “creative freedom” can be used poorly that night. But we’re proof that it can be done right.

I’ve only done the web content thing for less than 3 years now, but I love it, I’m proud to be a part of it, and every single one of you in that room on Streamys night inspired me. Thank you. Bless you. And long live web content.

See now, the bad past Sunday is behind us. We’ve picked the best fruit. It’s time to move forward.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 at 6:04 pm by Andre BlackNerd and is filed under LISTS / PRIME LISTS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.