Whedon sings live

Joss Whedon gave a live performance of a parody song he evidently originally sang in a Dr. Horrible DVD commentary for episode #379 of Ira Glass' PBS radio show This American Life. The episode airs today on many NPR affiliates. The free streaming audio podcast will be available tomorrow, Sunday, or buy now with one of those friggin' .99c micropayments.

Four days ago, Ira Glass posted a video excerpt of Whedon's performance on YouTube. Live delayed for later live broadcast I guess.



Speaking of parodies about commentaries, now is a good excuse to pimp Mystery Cove, a 2008 podcast series by a loose assemblage of improv Chicago comedians. This was an all too brief run of fake commentaries by two fictional show runners that produce a imaginary network television mythos series called "Mystery Cove." The commentaries are a caricature of the personalities and conceits associated with making such mythos shows. Familiar stereotypes about show runners and "show runner speak" abound. Shortly it becomes apparent Mystery Cove is a balls out parody of Lost and Battlestar Galactica audio commentaries complete with ice heard tinkling in empty scotch glasses. One guy sounds eerily like David Eick, the other perhaps one of Lost's producers. The failing fortunes of Mystery Cove describe a premiere with respectable ratings but now the show is facing a rapid decline in popularity and echoes of glories past. The ever shrinking chances of the show's renewal, paranoia about the network, teasing season ending cliffhangers, flirting with alcoholism and the increasingly outrageously bizarre creative directions taken by Mystery Cove drag the show runners to nervous breakdowns. Two episodes feature guest appearances by the token female writer from the writer's room, Sarah Maher, not necessarily based on Jane Espenson but more akin to Diablo Cody. Other episodes feature Mystery Cove's megalomaniacal actors and an episode director that come to sit in on the commentary. The series ends with one of Mystery Cove's actors promoting his (straight to DVD caliber) spin off movie Sparkleduds.

After 2008, Mystery Cove's fictional show runner, Arnie Niekamp, is currently up to episode #24 of his Stupid Nerd podcast show.

-ThP