The Daily Online Video Fix: Coma on Crackle

Yesterday evening I opened my new issue of Wired magazine and was surprised to find a DVD of COMA, Crackle's new online series directed by P.R. Brown.   Actually, what surprised me was that Sony (who owns Crackle.com) had the balls to promote original online programming in such a big way!  

The show is banking that the star power of Michael Madsen and George Hamilton will drive eyeballs to the series.  The free DVD proves that the studio is committed to spend some major bucks on marketing their series on traditional media platforms, such as print.  I hope it works for them. It definitely got me curious.  I'm sure Fox and Disney's Stage 9 is watching closely to see if Coma is successful.   If so, I'm sure others will be stepping up to the plate soon with their own traditional marketing campaigns.  

I guess the big question really is - how is the show?  My one line reaction on the first episode:  I thought it was huge on style, light on substance.   A lot of work went into this series and it shows. I just wish more time was spent on the story.    That's just my take.  I've included the first episode below so you can make up your own mind.  Enjoy!

From Crackle: Coma, Ep 1: The Blazer

The Daily Online Video Fix: Gay Town on Crackle

Crackle.com really knocks it out of the park with this web-series.  For me, GAY TOWN is a great example of quality, original online entertainment.

Owen Benjamin created and stars in this series about the life of a straight man living in a very gay town.    The success of this simple, high-concept comedy lies in its execution.  The acting is solid, the jokes work while not trying so hard and production value is on par with anything you would see on television.    However, underneath the surface, you can't help but catch the social message that is lurking in the closet. Yes, it's funny to watch a straight man get picked on, bullied, fired and outcast just because he's not like the other guys in town.  But then you begin to realize how it can be at times for homosexuals living in the real world and what they have to put up with their entire lives... Which is why I think GAY TOWN is more that just a funny comedy, it slyly turns homophobia on its ass and gives it a good spanking.  It takes a couple of episodes to get cranking, but I think the overall quality of these ten episodes really sets this series apart from the clutter. 

Congrats to Owen and Crackle.com for producing an excellent series!  Hope season two is a good as the first.

From Crackle: Gaytown: Episode 1