Wikipedia

POYKPAC

(Redirected from The Walken Dead)

POYKPAC[note 1] was a comedy troupe based in Brooklyn, New York City that consisted of Jenn Lyon, Taige Jensen, Ryan Hunter, Ryan Hall, and Maggie Ross. Its YouTube channel has over 71,000 subscribers and more than 88 million views. They are most well known for their YouTube videos Hipster Olympics and Mario: Game Over.

POYKPAC
Websitepoykpac.com (archived)
YouTube information
ChannelsPOYKPAC
Years active2006–2015
Genres
Subscribers70.90 thousand
Total views88.80 million
Last updated: December 16, 2022

History and reception

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Mario: Game Over is the troupe's most-viewed comedy video.

POYKPAC was formed in January 2006.[2] The troupe joined YouTube on April 9, 2006,[‡ 1] and it uploaded its first video in June 2006.[‡ 2] Before creating the channel, Jenn Lyon, Ryan Hunter, and Maggie Ross were students at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts; they later met Taige Jensen and Ryan Hall when moving to New York City, where they formed POYKPAC.[3] The troupe was based in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where they lived in proximity to acquaintances Waverly Films.[3][4] In May 2007, POYKPAC uploaded Mario: Game Over, which as of November 2022 has 63.2 million views.[‡ 3] Bilge Ebiri of the magazine New York described the video as an "unholy cross between Raging Bull and Spun" and that it "transcends its sketch-comedy origins and gains a kind of rough epic grandeur".[5] The video was nominated for the Best Comedy Video of 2007 in the YouTube Awards, although it did not win the award.[6][7] POYKPAC took part in the Sketchies contest, which was organized by YouTube, in June 2007.[8]

The troupe uploaded Hipster Olympics to its channel in August 2007, which as of November 2022 has 3.7 million views.[‡ 4] POYKPAC stated that the video was inspired from Monty Python's Upper Class Twit of the Year sketch.[9] Block Magazine, a Brooklyn-based local news magazine, noted that the video shows "is not just a pithy stab at self-caricatures", while PopMatters described the cast as "an overall level of nonchalance and a reticent air of superiority".[3][10] New York noted that the video was "hugely important in the evolution of the hipster joke because it brought the concept of making fun of hipsters to the internet", while Jen Carlson of Gothamist described it as "somehow still funny even though making fun of hipsters isn't even ironically cool anymore".[11][12] The troupe took part in the second Sketchies contest in April 2008, nominating the Voice Talkers video for the final round; they placed second.[‡ 5][8][13] POYKPAC launched Good Morning Internet!, a 15-episode web-series, in June 2008, which aired on the Independent Film Channel (IFC).[14][15][16] Based on the Canadian Good Morning World television series, it was a morning talk show that included parody and character comedy;[15][17] it ran for three weeks.[14] Actor and filmmaker Michael Swaim described the series as their "crown jewel".[18] Comedian Reggie Watts and YouTube personality Caitlin Hill made guest appearances in the show.[19][20]

In October 2011, POYKPAC uploaded The Walken Dead to its YouTube channel, which as of November 2022 has 1.3 million views.[‡ 6] It is a parody that combines The Walking Dead and actors making impressions of Christopher Walken.[21][22] In 2012, POYKPAC won the Syfy reality series Viral Video Showdown.[‡ 7] The troupe uploaded Movie Title Breakup to its channel in February 2014, which as of November 2022 has 1.1 million views.[23][24][‡ 8] According to Hunter, who directed the video, the video was recorded a year and a half ago before its upload date.[2] In the short film, the couple, portrayed by Hunter and Lyon, break up only using film titles.[25][26] Gizmodo described it as "supremely clever short", while HuffPost described it as a "funny and innovative sketch".[27][28] At this point, the troupe operated on an "on-off basis", since the members were also a part of other projects.[2] POYKPAC uploaded its last video in April 2015, although the troupe released a sequel of the Movie Title Breakup video in December 2015 on The Fine Bros YouTube channel.[‡ 9][‡ 10]

Alongside IFC, the content that POYKPAC published was also featured on MTV and on the Today news show.[29]

Members

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Lyon wrote and produced the troupe's videos.

POYKPAC was composed of Jenn Lyon, Taige Jensen, Ryan Hunter, Ryan Hall, and Maggie Ross.[‡ 1][30] They also served as the cast in their Good Morning Internet! web-series in 2008.[17] Additionally, Will Connell, Johnny Gillette, Dave Powell, and Paul Whitty were also associated with POYKPAC.[‡ 1] The troupe was partnered with the Above Average Productions.[31] POYKPAC also operated a video response channel, PoykpacLIVE, and a collaborative channel, geniuscamp.[‡ 11][‡ 12]

Together with Hunter, Jensen published a humor book named Coloring for Grown-Ups in 2012.[32][33] It was recommended by The New York Times, while Book Riot described it as "darkly humorous and fun".[34][35] They also together ran a blog to promote the book.[36]

Jenn Lyon

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Further information: Jenn Lyon

Lyon was one of the founding members of POYKPAC, and she served as one of the writers and producers.[37] She also operated her personal YouTube channel until 2012.[‡ 13] After graduating from the School of the Arts in 2003, she moved to Queens and later to Brooklyn, to live with rest of the members.[38][39] While still a member of POYKPAC, she made guest appearances in Army Wives, Louie, and Suburgatory and also cast in Justified and Saint George.[40][41] She also starred in the Fish in the Dark, a play that premiered on Broadway in 2015.[42] After the retirement of POYKPAC, she cast as Jennifer Husser in comedy-drama series Claws and as Cinnamon in Blaze.[37][43] She married Jensen in 2019.[44]

Taige Jensen

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Jensen served as the troupe's editor.[39] Apart from POYKPAC, he worked as a director and writer for online magazine Slate;[2][45] his Political Kombat '12 series was nominated for an Emmy in 2013.[46][47] He later documented videos and worked as a video editor for The New York Times;[48][49] he also worked on two videos for The New York Times with Lyon.[50][51] In 2017, The Forger, a short film that he edited for The New York Times, received an Emmy.[52]

Ryan Hunter

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Hunter was previously a contributor for HuffPost.[16] He appeared in the film The New Year opposite Trieste Kelly Dunn.[53]

Notes

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  1. ^ POYKPAC is an acronym for Pictures of Your Kids Pooping and Crying.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Deliso, Meredith (May 5, 2010). "Talk about a HEYDAY". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Suebsaeng, Asawin (February 12, 2014). "This Video of a Marriage Break-Up Done Entirely in Movie Titles Is Pretty Great". Mother Jones. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Fishkin, Julie (November 7, 2007). "Why We Are Too Cool to Care". Block magazine. Brooklyn. Archived from the original on February 18, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
  4. ^ Miller, Liz Shannon (April 18, 2008). "Sketchies2 Q&A: Winners Waverly Films". NewTeeVee. Archived from the original on April 22, 2008. Retrieved April 22, 2008.
  5. ^ Ebiri, Bilge (August 17, 2007). "Game Over". New York: Vulture. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Jarboe, Greg (2009). YouTube and video marketing: an hour a day. Indianapolis, Ind.: John Wiley & Sons. p. 99. ISBN 978-0-470-57782-0. OCLC 474884181.
  7. ^ "2007 YouTube Awards: Chocolate Rain & Harry Potter". ABC News. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  8. ^ a b Miller, Liz Shannon (April 18, 2008). "Sketchies2 Q&A: POYKPAC". NewTeeVee. Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  9. ^ Beale, Scott (August 25, 2007). "Hipster Olympics, An Epic Battle of Apathetic Grandeur". Laughing Squid. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  10. ^ "Hipster Hating with My First Earthquake, PopMatters". PopMatters. September 3, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Fox, Jesse David (May 2, 2014). "The Redemption of the Hipster Punch Line". New York: Vulture. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  12. ^ Carlson, Jen (August 24, 2007). "Video of the Day: Hipster Olympics". Gothamist. Archived from the original on May 6, 2008. Retrieved May 6, 2008.
  13. ^ Beale, Scott (April 6, 2008). "Voice Talkers, Living the Dream of a Voice Actor". Laughing Squid. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Beale, Scott (June 18, 2008). "Good Morning Internet! by POYKPAC on IFC". Laughing Squid. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  15. ^ a b Cohen, Joshua (June 16, 2008). "Poykpac and IFC say 'Good Morning Internet'". Tubefilter. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  16. ^ a b "Ryan Hunter". HuffPost. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Terrace, Vincent (2009). The year in television, 2008: a catalog of new and continuing series, miniseries, specials and TV movies. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., Publishers. p. 53. ISBN 978-0-7864-5336-8. OCLC 435550104.
  18. ^ Swaim, Michael (December 15, 2008). "The 8 Best Internet Sketch Troupes Whose Initials Aren't TAM". Cracked. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  19. ^ "Good Morning Internet! Ep 10: "Good Morning Lord Zebulon!"". IFC. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "Good Morning Internet! Ep 12: "Viral Video Day."". IFC. Archived from the original on January 9, 2009. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  21. ^ Taylor, Jeremy (October 27, 2011). "'The Walken Dead' serves brains with a side of cowbell". TheFW. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  22. ^ Beale, Scott (October 15, 2011). "The Walken Dead, A Zombie Virus That Causes People To Quote Christopher Walken". Laughing Squid. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Kaufman, Gena (February 12, 2014). "You Have to Watch This Couple Break Up Using Only Movie Titles". Glamour. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  24. ^ Hooton, Christopher (February 12, 2014). "Someone made a short film where the dialogue is exclusively movie titles". The Independent. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  25. ^ Hooton, Christopher (February 12, 2014). "Someone made a short film where the dialogue is exclusively movie". The Independent. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  26. ^ Fenn, Mike (February 12, 2014). "Watch a breakup only movie buffs will appreciate". The Daily Dot. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  27. ^ Chan, Casey (February 11, 2014). "Watch a couple break up using only movie titles in their conversation". Gizmodo. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  28. ^ McGlynn, Katla (February 11, 2014). "Watch This Couple Break Up In 154 Movie Titles". HuffPost. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  29. ^ Gerami, Vic (July 5, 2018). "10 QUESTIONS with VIC, featuring JENN LYON". THE BLUNT POST. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  30. ^ Campbell, Mark (October 14, 2011). "Christopher Walken will tear your throat out: The Walken Dead". Dangerous Minds. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  31. ^ "Above Average Channel Partners". Above Average. Archived from the original on October 13, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  32. ^ Hunter, Ryan (December 7, 2012). "Coloring For Grown-Ups". HuffPost. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  33. ^ Barry, Célésia (January 17, 2013). "Non, le coloriage n'est pas réservé aux enfants". Slate (in French). Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  34. ^ Garner, Dwight (November 20, 2012). "Heavyweights for the Holidays". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  35. ^ Neace, Cassandra (November 20, 2012). "5 Questionable Coloring Books for Grown-Ups". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  36. ^ Talreja, Neha (August 6, 2012). "Wallow in Adulthood with the Delightful Coloring for Grown-Ups Book". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  37. ^ a b Gerami, Vic (July 5, 2018). "10 questions with VIC, featuring Jenn Lyon". The Blunt Post. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  38. ^ Callaway, Hannah (September 18, 2017). "Jenn Lyon gets real about successes, pitfalls of actor life". University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  39. ^ a b Trapunski, Charles (June 10, 2018). "Interview: Claws' Jenn Lyon". BriefTake. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  40. ^ Bergeron, Judy (June 9, 2018). "The women of 'Claws' ready for more starting Sunday night". The Advocate. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  41. ^ Larimore, Rachael (January 29, 2013). "The Bird Has Flown recap: Jenn Lyon on playing Lindsey and how she loves Ellen May". Slate. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  42. ^ DePaolo, Joe (May 18, 2015). "Rolling on Laughs: Jenn Lyon on Broadway". Charlotte Magazine. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  43. ^ Chaney, Jen (June 7, 2017). "Nothing About TNT's Claws Is Subtle". New York Vulture. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  44. ^ Dugan Ramirez, Christina; Corriston, Michele (October 19, 2019). "'Claws' Star Jenn Lyon Marries Longtime Love Taige Jensen: Inside the 'Kitschy' New York Nuptials". People. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  45. ^ Blazenhoff, Rusty (December 21, 2011). "Occupy Wall Street Riot Brigade LEGO Set". Laughing Squid. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  46. ^ "Nominees for the 34th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards" (PDF). Emmy Awards. July 11, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 4, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  47. ^ Dehesdin, Cécile (October 2, 2012). "Political Kombat '12: la campagne américaine racontée façon Mortal Kombat". Slate (in French). Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  48. ^ Sack, Kevin (December 4, 2013). "A Lost Boy Grows Up". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  49. ^ Crouse, Lindsay; Jensen, Taige; Wolffbrandt, Adam (August 12, 2021). "I'm a Trans Runner, and You Might Not Like What I Have to Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  50. ^ Nash, Niecy; Jensen, Taige; Lyon, Jenn (October 22, 2018). "To the Next 'BBQ Becky': Don't Call 911. Call 1-844-WYT-FEAR". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  51. ^ The Editorial Board; Jensen, Taige; Lyon, Jenn; Abisso, Joey (March 11, 2019). "Measles Is Making a Comeback. Here's How to Stop It". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  52. ^ "The New York Times Wins an Emmy (Its Tenth)". The New York Times. October 6, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  53. ^ Webster, Andy (July 30, 2010). "Serious Adulthood Waiting to Happen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 14, 2023.

Primary sources

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In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. ^ a b c "About POYKPAC Comedy". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  2. ^ "The Hideous Conquest of (THE) Egg Man". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. June 21, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  3. ^ "Mario: Game Over". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. May 2, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  4. ^ "Hipster Olympics". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. August 22, 2007. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Day, Mark (April 18, 2008). "Sketchies 2: And the Winner Is..." YouTube. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "The Walken Dead". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. October 24, 2011. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  7. ^ "Candy-Home Shopping Channel". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. November 14, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  8. ^ "Movie Title Breakup". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. February 11, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  9. ^ "Prank My Dad dance". YouTube. POYKPAC Comedy. April 1, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  10. ^ "DRUG DEAL IN 160 MOVIE TITLES!". YouTube. REACT. December 22, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  11. ^ "About PoykpacLIVE". YouTube. PoykpacLive. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "About geniuscamp". YouTube. geniuscamp. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "About poykpacgirl". YouTube. poykpacgirl. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
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