The Great Al Debate Topic

Aughn · Post by **Aughn** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:08 am

spacedingo @ Jun 23 2006, 11:05 PM wrote: ...
For the sanity of this board (Or what amounts to it), mods, please consider removing that link and any future postings of it.

Hey Spacedingo... I went ahead and removed the link

Website · Post by **Teh Dingo** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 1:12 am

Thank you very much. That's just been a very controversial link around here lately (Not faulting you for posting it, don't worry

)

Welcome aboard!

Weirdalfreak27 · Post by **Weirdalfreak27** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:55 am

Where's that link again? I wanted to see if anyone had said anything past what I said.

Website · Post by **Teh Dingo** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:13 am

OK, new debate topic.

If Eminem wasn't such a jerk and allowed Couch Potato to have a video, would Couch Potato have gotten the success that White & Nerdy currently enjoys?

Here's a couple things I was thinking of that inspired this debate topic: Lose Yourself was still a relativly current song, which would have made CP still one of (If not the) most current parody of Al's career at that point. And unlike with Ridin, Eminem's a big name artist who was probably the biggest artist in the world at that point.

So there ya go, debate away: Couch Potato vs White & Nerdy.

Or more importantly...is Chamillionaire getting Eminem's royalty checks?

Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:23 am

I'd say no. I think a big factor in the success of "White & Nerdy" is all us white nerds saying, "Hey, Al's singing MY VERY OWN PERSONAL THEME SONG!"

Eminem's bigger than Chamillionaire, but IMHO the lyrics for W&N are better than CP's. CP is a very clever, pop-culture-astute catalog, but it doesn't catch us where we live like W&N does.

Post by **stupidsurgeon27** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:24 am

I'm thinking that probably CP wouldn't have been as big as W&N is now. We know the marketing and mentions for SOL has been quite wonderful and well...PH didn't have much marketing and promotions to go on.

While I like CP, I don't think it's gonna have the longevity as W&N will, though we won't know W&N effect for a while. W&N has become many people's favorite song already while it didn't seem to have the same effect from CP.

SmileyGirl87 · Post by **SmileyGirl87** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:44 am

I really don't think there is any feasible way CP would've become as big as W&N is now. W&N came out at the perfect time, was wonderfully promoted, and really struck a chord with long-time fans, as well as helped to bring in a new generation of Al fans. Al really does follow the cultural zeitgeist as it were, and while Eminem was huge at the time...CP is funny, and a great song, but if I had the choice to purchase it as a ringtone, for instance, I still would pick W&N, 10-1.

I think W&N is great not only because it embraces so many nerdlike qualities and makes so many hilarious references on top of Chamillionaire's "beats," it also adresses the "white boy trying to be gangsta" anomaly in a very clever way. Al makes it "okay" to be white and nerdy, and something to be proud of, not ashamed of...and I know for many younger caucasian kids living in urban areas causes them to feel lots of pressure to fit in with their dress or language, while I think Al is emphasizing how important it is to just be yourself, and look at him-the epitome of White and Nerdy, and he's one of the most wonderful people I've ever known. (in a sense, of course)

But that's just my two pennies.

~*Cat*~

dj's mom · Post by **dj's mom** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:46 am

There is the MySpace factor. When CP came out there was no such outlet for promotion. A very interesting addition to the way music and videos can be marketed.

Juliej

twinkieweinersandwiches24_7 · Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:46 am

Even though W&N has become such a well-known song because of the video/mass media coverage, the fact is, it's bigger than CP ever was. I think even at its "height", if I went around and asked kids "Hey, have you heard 'Couch Potato' by Weird Al?" very few would have said yes, but now if I ask them about W&N they're all "OMG I FUDGIN <333333 THAT SONG!! WHITE N NERDY WHITE N NERDY LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Almost everyone who goes on the internet (or at least Youtube or Myspace) has at least heard of the song. And with the internet, it will be around and easily accessible for a loooooong time.

Post by **stupidsurgeon27** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:51 am

dj's mom @ Oct 18 2006, 04:46 PM wrote: There is the MySpace factor. When CP came out there was no such outlet for promotion. A very interesting addition to the way music and videos can be marketed.

Juliej

Very true! Many people now can go, "Hey, have you heard Weird Al's 'White and Nerdy'? You haven't? Go to his myspace and listen to it and see the video!"

Certainly couldn't do that with CP.

Myspace is a very good advertising tool for Al.